Subaru BRZ vs Hyundai Santa Fe
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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 Subaru BRZ starts from $43,790 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Santa Fe opens at $53,000. That makes the Subaru BRZ the more affordable entry point by $9,210.
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 $48,169 and $58,300 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Hyundai Santa Fe by roughly $3,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Hyundai Santa Fe holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Subaru BRZ.
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 4 in the Subaru BRZ.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Subaru BRZ and 7 in the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru BRZ features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Hyundai Santa Fe gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Santa Fe counters with power tailgate and BOSE audio that the Subaru BRZ does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Subaru BRZ uses a Petrol producing 174kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.3 seconds.
The Hyundai Santa Fe responds with a Petrol making 141kW and 232Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ has the clear power advantage at 174kW vs 141kW. In the real-world sprint, the Subaru BRZ is 1.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru BRZ measures 4,265mm long on a 2,570mm wheelbase, 565mm shorter than the Hyundai Santa Fe at 4,830mm (2,815mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Santa Fe generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 284L in the Subaru BRZ and 625L in the Hyundai Santa Fe, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 341L advantage. The Hyundai Santa Fe seats 7 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.0m
Based on 10.6m 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 $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ and $1,938/year for the Hyundai Santa Fe. That is a $770 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Estimated annual total: $2,708 (Subaru BRZ) vs $1,938 (Hyundai Santa Fe). The Hyundai Santa Fe saves you roughly $770 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru BRZ) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru BRZ if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. The Hyundai Santa Fe will save you roughly $770 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, Subaru BRZ and Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Subaru BRZ is the cheapest at $43,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Santa Fe by $9,210.
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?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the largest boot at 625L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru BRZ makes the most power at 174kW. The Subaru BRZ is quickest to 100km/h in 6.3s.
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!
