Hyundai Santa Fe vs Lexus UX
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.
Data checked: specs 18 Oct 2026, price 8 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$54,400RRP
- no option data for this car
$55,370RRP
- with the Hyundai Santa Fe's standard kit: $55,370 (nothing to add; 4 with no data, not charged)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Santa Fe starts from $54,400 before on-road costs, while the Lexus UX opens at $55,370. That makes the Hyundai Santa Fe the more affordable entry point by $970.
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 $60,907 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus UX by roughly $6,985 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Hyundai Santa Fe
- REC-006657 · published 9 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the anchorage tensioner stopper for the seatbelts in the front seating positions may lose tension.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2026
- REC-006589 · published 20 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail to illuminate the visual vehicle speed, fuel level and other critical safety information.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006072 · published 9 Sep 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the airbag wiring harness under the rear passenger seat may not have been adequately secured.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 12 more on the model page.
Lexus UX
- REC-006617 · published 3 Jun 2026Due to a software error, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual engine oil pressure light, engine coolant temperature, electrical charge, and other critical safety information.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Santa Fe features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus UX gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-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 Lexus UX. The Lexus UX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats and Lexus Premium Sound audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Santa Fe gets cloth upholstery while the Lexus UX offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses a Petrol producing 206kW and 422Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Lexus UX responds with a Hybrid making 146kW and 188Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 146kW. 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, 335mm longer than the Lexus UX at 4,495mm (2,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Santa Fe generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 642L in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 320L in the Lexus UX, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 322L advantage. The Hyundai Santa Fe seats 7 vs 5.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m 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 11.2m 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 $1,197/year for the Lexus UX. That is a $1,397 annual difference in favour of the Lexus UX.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Lexus UX). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus UX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus UX if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Hyundai Santa Fe: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 74
The Hyundai Santa Fe comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 74), taking 4 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Lexus UX ahead by 44), practicality (Hyundai Santa Fe ahead by 33), safety (Hyundai Santa Fe ahead by 23). The Lexus UX will save you roughly $1,397 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 Lexus UX?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheapest at $54,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus UX by $970.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus UX uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Hyundai Santa Fe holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Lexus UX, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the largest boot at 642L with the seats up (1,949L with the seats folded).
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.
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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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