Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Lexus NX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the NX and the Santa Fe Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus NX is safer than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

	NX	Santa Fe Hybrid
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	285	369
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	64 lbs.	140 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	413/450 lbs.	726/652 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus NX is safer than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

	NX	Santa Fe Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.6 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

	NX	Santa Fe Hybrid
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	.87 in
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	915 lbs.	1227 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.14 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 16 points higher than the Santa Fe Hybrid and the Lexus NX is rated 35 points higher than the Santa Fe Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Santa Fe Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

Engine

The NX 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 9 more horsepower (240 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (275 vs. 231) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 450h+ Premium AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 73 more horsepower (304 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h AWD is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

	NX	Santa Fe Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	9.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	82.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

			MPGe
NX
	AWD	450h+ Premium AWD Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
Santa Fe Hybrid
			MPG
	FWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/36 hwy
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/34 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

			MPG
NX
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/38 hwy
	AWD	350h AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h+ Premium AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
Santa Fe Hybrid
	FWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/36 hwy
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/34 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Santa Fe Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the NX and Santa Fe Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The NX (except NX 350h/450h+) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus NX 350 AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Santa Fe Hybrid.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The NX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Fe Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The NX stops shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

	NX	Santa Fe Hybrid
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	129 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The NX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid HTRAC AWD (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Fe Hybrid (7.7 vs. 7 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The NX’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (8.1 vs. 7 inches).

Chassis

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 500 pounds less than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

The NX is 6.7 inches shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid, making the NX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

The NX has a much larger cargo volume than the Santa Fe Hybrid with its rear seat up (22.7 vs. 14.6 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the NX. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 70% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

Ergonomics

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Santa Fe Hybrid has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The NX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The NX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The NX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Santa Fe Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Santa Fe Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lexus NX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited/Calligraphy.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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