Hyundai Santa Fe vs Nissan ARIYA
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.
Track the Hyundai Santa Fe & Nissan ARIYA
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 Nissan ARIYA opens at $55,840. That makes the Hyundai Santa Fe the more affordable entry point by $1,440.
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 $61,424 respectively.
The Nissan ARIYA qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Hyundai Santa Fe, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan ARIYA hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Hyundai Santa Fe and 86% for the Nissan ARIYA.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Nissan ARIYA, 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 Nissan ARIYA.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
87kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Santa Fe features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan ARIYA 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 that you will not find on the Nissan ARIYA. The Nissan ARIYA counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging and heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Santa Fe gets cloth upholstery while the Nissan ARIYA offers nappa leather.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses a Petrol producing 206kW and 422Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Nissan ARIYA responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 160kW. 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, 235mm longer than the Nissan ARIYA at 4,595mm (2,775mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Santa Fe generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 642L in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 466L in the Nissan ARIYA, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 176L advantage. The Hyundai Santa Fe seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Hyundai Santa Fe leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m 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 11.5m 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan ARIYA). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan ARIYA if: You or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe takes 4 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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 Nissan ARIYA?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheapest at $54,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Nissan ARIYA by $1,440.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses the least fuel at 9.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan ARIYA 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.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
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!
