Toyota Fortuner vs Hyundai Santa Fe
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 Toyota Fortuner starts from $53,775 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Santa Fe opens at $53,400. That makes the Hyundai Santa Fe the more affordable entry point by $375.
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 $59,153 and $58,740 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota Fortuner by roughly $2,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 95% for the Toyota Fortuner and 84% for the Hyundai Santa Fe.
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 1 in the Toyota Fortuner.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Toyota Fortuner and 7 in the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Feature Showdown
The Toyota Fortuner features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Santa Fe gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Santa Fe counters with power tailgate and BOSE audio that the Toyota Fortuner does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Fortuner uses a Diesel producing 150kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 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 Toyota Fortuner has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 141kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai Santa Fe is 1.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Fortuner measures 4,795mm long on a 2,745mm wheelbase, 35mm 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 200L in the Toyota Fortuner and 625L in the Hyundai Santa Fe, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 425L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1080L vs 1949L.
For towing, the Toyota Fortuner leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 1,000kg 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 $2,166/year for the Toyota Fortuner and $2,594/year for the Hyundai Santa Fe. That is a $428 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Fortuner.
Estimated annual total: $2,166 (Toyota Fortuner) vs $2,594 (Hyundai Santa Fe). The Toyota Fortuner saves you roughly $428 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Fortuner) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Fortuner if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Toyota Fortuner will save you roughly $428 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, Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the cheapest at $53,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota Fortuner by $375.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Fortuner uses the least fuel at 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe 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 625L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Fortuner has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Fortuner makes the most power at 150kW. The Hyundai Santa Fe is quickest to 100km/h in 8.2s.
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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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