When shopping for a new Hyundai SUV, two compelling choices are the midsize Hyundai Palisade and the compact Hyundai Santa Fe. While both SUVs offer comfortable rides, modern amenities and Hyundai's strong warranty, they cater to different size needs. Here's a comparison of the 2025 Palisade and Santa Fe to help you decide which is the best fit for you.
Passenger and Cargo Space
The main difference between the Palisade and Santa Fe is size. The midsize Palisade has three rows of seating to accommodate up to 7 or 8 passengers, depending on whether you opt for the second-row bench or captain's chairs. Behind the third row, there's 18.0 cubic feet of cargo room, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. The compact Santa Fe seats 5 passengers across two rows, providing 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo room.
Performance
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade comes standard with a 3.8L V6 engine producing 291 horsepower. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds - enough for hauling small boats or campers. The Palisade is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.
The Santa Fe has two engine options. The base is a 2.5L inline-4 with 191 horsepower, while a more powerful 2.5L turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower is also offered. All-wheel drive is optional. The maximum towing capacity for the Santa Fe ranges from 2,000-3,500 lbs depending on the engine.
Trims and Features
Both SUVs are offered in multiple trims with varying levels of amenities. The Palisade has seven trims, including the SE, SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, XRT, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night Edition. The base Palisade SE is well-equipped, and the higher-end trims add premium features like quilted leather upholstery, ventilated seats, premium audio, dual sunroofs, and more.
The Santa Fe's five trims include the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Sants Fe offers many of the same amenities as the Palisade on its higher trims, like ventilated front seats, head-up display, surround view monitor, and Harmon Kardon premium audio.
Test Drive a New Hyundai SUV Today!
To see the Hyundai Palisade and Santa Fe models in person and test drive them, visit Don Bessette Hyundai at 1715 North Broadway, Minot, ND. Our friendly sales staff can walk you through all the features and help you find the perfect new Hyundai SUV for your needs and budget.
