MAZDA CX-90 PHEV vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Eco-Friendly Without Compromise

The roads are changing, and so are the powertrains driving them. The noticeable shift toward greener solutions marks a new chapter in how we think about where we're going and how we're getting there. Models like the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, with their partially electric powertrains, embrace this sustainable lifestyle.

While each model is sustainable and can help lower emissions, there's a significant distinction between the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Santa Fe Hybrid. The latter is a traditional hybrid, relying on regenerative braking energy to power an electric motor that assists the engine. In contrast, plug-in hybrids like the Mazda CX-90 PHEV add a rechargeable electric motor to the engine, providing the option to choose how you want to drive:

• Electric-only travel: Perfect for short trips to the grocery store and around town, providing up to an EPA-estimated 27-mile all-electric driving range.*
• Combination driving: Ideal for family road trips, offering an EPA-estimated 500-mile driving range.*

While efficient, the Santa Fe Hybrid lacks a dedicated electric-only mode, limiting flexibility and eco-conscious options. If you prefer electrification with long-distance freedom, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV offers a clear edge in sustainability and convenience.

Adventure-Ready Capability

Your normal travel might include cityscapes and paved roads, but you long for spontaneous scenic road adventures. The Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid are capable of traveling off the beaten path, but one does so more seamlessly.

The Mazda CX-90 PHEV comes standard with i-Activ AWD®. This predictive drivetrain monitors wheelspin and driving habits to redistribute torque to the wheels that need it most, aiming to eliminate slippage on low-friction surfaces. Let's explore how the Santa Fe Hybrid responds:

While capable, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid lacks the adventure-ready capabilities offered by the Mazda CX-90 PHEV, making the Mazda better suited for drivers whose idea of a weekend involves travel gear, gravel pathways, or winding backroads.

Mature by Design

Take one look at the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, and you’ll find it’s hard to look away. Each is designed to dazzle, but their approaches are different. The Santa Fe Hybrid leans into its futuristic, geometric design with squared-off edges and dynamic lighting signatures. It’s a statement piece, but does it ask for attention or demand it?

The Mazda CX-90 PHEV, on the other hand, offers a more subtle approach to design. Its elongated hood flows into the smooth, sculpted lines. Select trim levels add blacked-out exterior accents that add a sophisticated edge. Its equally refined color palette enhances all this, with hues like Platinum Quartz, Deep Crystal Blue, and Rhodium White.

The overall impression? Where the Hyundai seeks attention, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV earns admiration for its intentional design.

Practical Elegance for Family Life

The Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid are designed for the present and the future. Each model has three rows of seats and is spacious enough to accommodate your growing family. As a bonus, passenger dimensions and cabin sizes are comparable, making these models equal contenders for everyday school runs and cross-country vacations.

While similar in size, the design elements of these SUVs differ greatly. The Mazda CX-90 PHEV features leather upholstery across all trim levels, adding a tactile layer of luxury only offered on select Santa Fe Hybrid trim levels. Additional amenities with these models include:

• Standard/available heated front/rear seats
• Available ventilated front seats
• Multi-zone climate control systems

While the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid may offer the same features, the Mazda offers more with its 3-stage heating/cooling system, which allows for more personalized comfort for each passenger.

Smart, Sustainable Technology

The Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid are well-equipped, with similar systems like a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™, and a wireless charging system (available in the Santa Fe Hybrid) that makes connecting your digital world feel effortless.

Dive a little deeper, and the Mazda CX-90 PHEV offers a level of personalization and functionality that’s hard to beat:

• Online navigation system with off-road mapping: Delivers turn-by-turn directions and features off-roading trails that align with your desire for spontaneous adventures.
• Bose® Centerpoint® Surround Sound System with AudioPilot®: Delivers crystal-clear audio that immerses you in studio-quality sound, placing you right alongside your favorite artists.

The Santa Fe Hybrid offers similar tech but lacks these next-level options. With the Mazda, you can experience technology that feels both purposeful and personalized.

Sophisticated Safety Features

Especially with precious cargo on board, safety is a top priority. This sentiment is echoed in the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, with each SUV offering advanced driver-assist technology that alerts you to hazards you might miss, including brand-specific versions of:

• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane-keep Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control

Despite these shared features, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV goes further with its available Cruising and Traffic Support feature, which uses sophisticated technology to maintain a safe following distance, even during stop-and-go traffic. Pair that with the optional Active Driving Display with Traffic Sign Recognition, and you’ve got an SUV that actively keeps you informed and reduces driving fatigue.