Hyundai Santa Fe vs CUPRA Terramar
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Hyundai Santa Fe
From $54,400
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
206kW
9.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
642L
CUPRA Terramar
From $53,990
SUV
Petrol
4-cyl Turbo Petrol MHEV
110kW
5.7 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
508L
Track the Hyundai Santa Fe & CUPRA Terramar
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Santa Fe starts from $54,400 before on-road costs, while the CUPRA Terramar opens at $53,990. That makes the CUPRA Terramar the more affordable entry point by $410.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $59,840 and $59,389 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the CUPRA Terramar by roughly $4,845 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and CUPRA Terramar hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Hyundai Santa Fe and 89% for the CUPRA Terramar.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the CUPRA Terramar, against 6 on the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 7 in the CUPRA Terramar.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Santa Fe features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the CUPRA Terramar gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with Apple CarPlay and BOSE audio — features our data doesn't list for the CUPRA Terramar. The CUPRA Terramar counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Santa Fe gets cloth upholstery while the CUPRA Terramar offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 3-zone in the CUPRA Terramar.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses a Petrol producing 206kW and 422Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The CUPRA Terramar responds with a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol MHEV making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Santa Fe measures 4,830mm long on a 2,815mm wheelbase, 311mm longer than the CUPRA Terramar at 4,519mm (2,681mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Santa Fe generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 642L in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 508L in the CUPRA Terramar, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 134L advantage. The Hyundai Santa Fe seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Hyundai Santa Fe leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 11.6m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,594/year for the Hyundai Santa Fe and $1,625/year for the CUPRA Terramar. That is a $969 annual difference in favour of the CUPRA Terramar.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Terramar). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the CUPRA Terramar if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The CUPRA Terramar will save you roughly $969 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Santa Fe and CUPRA Terramar?
The CUPRA Terramar is the cheapest at $53,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Santa Fe by $410.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The CUPRA Terramar uses the least fuel at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Hyundai Santa Fe and CUPRA Terramar all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the largest boot at 642L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Santa Fe makes the most power at 206kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
