Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
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 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV opens at $53,990. That makes the Hyundai Santa Fe the more affordable entry point by $990.
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 $59,389 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Hyundai Santa Fe and 85% for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
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 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Santa Fe features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with BOSE audio that you will not find on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. 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 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV responds with a Petrol making 98kW and 195Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the clear power advantage at 141kW vs 98kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai Santa Fe is 0.5s 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, 120mm longer than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at 4,710mm (2,705mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Santa Fe generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 625L in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 478L in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 147L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1949L vs 1500L.
For towing, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
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 $2,081/year for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. That is a $143 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Estimated annual total: $1,938 (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs $2,081 (Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV). The Hyundai Santa Fe saves you roughly $143 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 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV). The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Hyundai Santa Fe will save you roughly $143 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a clear edge. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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