Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota FJ Cruiser
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
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Price TBC
SUV
Premium unleaded
—
200kW
11.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Toyota FJ Cruiser: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h, ground clearance, turning circle and CO2 emissions.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with Apple CarPlay, power tailgate and BOSE audio — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses a Petrol producing 206kW and 422Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser lines up making 200kW and 380Nm, paired to a 5-speed automatic driving all four wheels.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 200kW. 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, 160mm longer than the Toyota FJ Cruiser at 4,670mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Santa Fe generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Toyota FJ Cruiser leads with a 2,250kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m diameter
Average
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,594/year for the Hyundai Santa Fe and $3,249/year for the Toyota FJ Cruiser. That is a $655 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Toyota FJ Cruiser). The Hyundai Santa Fe has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota FJ Cruiser if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Hyundai Santa Fe will save you roughly $655 a year in fuel. The Hyundai Santa Fe adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. 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 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheapest at $54,400 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses the least fuel at 9.1L/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 Toyota FJ Cruiser, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota FJ Cruiser has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,250kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
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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