Hyundai Santa Fe vs Hyundai Palisade
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.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Santa Fe starts from $53,000 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Palisade opens at $66,800. That makes the Hyundai Santa Fe the more affordable entry point by $13,800.
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 $58,300 and $73,480 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Hyundai Santa Fe by roughly $5,275 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Hyundai Santa Fe and 84% for the Hyundai Palisade.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Hyundai Santa Fe packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the Hyundai Palisade.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with Apple CarPlay, power tailgate and BOSE audio that you will not find on the Hyundai Palisade. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses a Petrol producing 141kW and 232Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds.
The Hyundai Palisade responds with a Petrol making 217kW and 355Nm, paired to a 8-speed auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The Hyundai Palisade has the clear power advantage at 217kW vs 141kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai Santa Fe is 0.7s quicker. 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, 165mm shorter than the Hyundai Palisade at 4,995mm (2,900mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Palisade generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 625L in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 311L in the Hyundai Palisade, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 314L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1949L vs 1297L. The Hyundai Palisade seats 8 vs 7.
For towing, the Hyundai Palisade leads with a 2,200kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,938/year for the Hyundai Santa Fe and $2,993/year for the Hyundai Palisade. That is a $1,055 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Estimated annual total: $1,938 (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs $2,993 (Hyundai Palisade). The Hyundai Santa Fe saves you roughly $1,055 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Palisade). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Palisade if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Hyundai Santa Fe will save you roughly $1,055 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 Hyundai Palisade?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheapest at $53,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Palisade by $13,800.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses the least fuel at 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade 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 625L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Palisade has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Palisade makes the most power at 217kW. The Hyundai Santa Fe is quickest to 100km/h in 8.2s.
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
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