Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Nissan X-Trail: a duel test about 7-seater saloons and more
The next duel is dedicated to two cars that try to be as versatile as possible: they offer not only powerful engines, all-wheel drive, a wide range of equipment, but even a 7-seater interior - and, moreover, in quite acceptable overall dimensions. Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan X - Trail cars have already met in separate reviews, but the news and reason for the next meeting was the appearance of a 7-seater version of Hyundai Santa Fe on the Ukrainian market. Its rival is Nissan X - Trail , which in this generation received a 7-seater interior from the very beginning of its market career in Ukraine. Who is better?
As usual: we will focus on five main points-rounds, and in this comparison we pay special attention to the interior. For each round, the car may receive (or not receive) a score. The total number of points will be the result of the duel.
Round one: design and dimensions
Generally speaking, the two cars are well-known and familiar, they play in the “D - SUV crossover” segment and are quite close rivals. But how different they are in design! It seems that the Hyundai Santa Fe stylists had only a compass and a ruler at hand: a bunch of straight lines connected by rounded transitions, plus circularly outlined wheel arches. Regarding our first meeting, now the Hyundai Santa Fe test car is presented in the maximum configuration Top , but without the Calligraphy package – and in some details, in my opinion, it is even better. For example, such a car has wheel arch liners and side moldings made of dark matte plastic, which better perform their function of protection against minor damage. And thanks to the silver inserts-stripes, all this looks quite successful. I would also like to note the 20-inch wide-spoke wheels: it seems clear that they are not as luxurious as the 21-inch black Calligraphy wheels , but tell me – do they look bad? A similar statement applies to the radiator grille panel. The only remark is that I would not advise buying a black car, because it gets lost in the numerous decorative black-glossy design elements. But in any case: I like the new Hyundai Santa Fe with its straightforward design.
Instead, the designers of the Nissan X - Trail preferred numerous "inflated" shapes and details that are inserted as if separate elements. Here are the bloated front wings and massive rear "shoulders" above the wheels, here are the polygonal lights beautifully integrated into the trunk lid, but the headlights are strange and as if cut in half. They also have an incomprehensible shape - they resemble a trapezoid, but one of the sides is almost vertical and turns into an air intake. I confess: I don't really understand what exactly the designers of the Nissan X - Trail wanted to convey and what image they wanted to embody. But, thank goodness, the Nissan X - Trail N - Trek version gives more clarity and emphasizes the brutal notes of this car. And it would seem - only a changed front bumper and new 18-inch wheels.
This round ends with a 1:1 score between the two cars, and this tie was drawn by the N - Trek version: in my opinion, all Nissan X - Trail variants should look exactly like this. However, if it weren't for this detail, the Hyundai Santa Fe would have won: it wins both in terms of basic dimensions (length 4.83 m and wheelbase 2.815 m versus length 4.68 m and wheelbase 2.705 m), and in terms of design integrity - it looks massive, modern and technological.
Round two: interior and trim
I will note again that the Hyundai Santa Fe is now presented without the Calligraphy package; and I will note again that visually it does not lose out from this! Just look at the main light brown color of the interior, silver decor and numerous wooden inserts with open pores. Moreover, the wood was not spared here, there were no barely noticeable hints and stripes - the impression is that the wooden inserts were simply cut out of a single piece of a huge board. Then it is traditional and familiar: a pair of connected 12.3-inch displays, a separate “climate” unit and numerous physical buttons next to it, a wide center console with two wireless chargers, a wonderfully transformed armrest (can be opened from both sides), a huge amount of space (I will tell you about this separately), an adjustable rear sofa - it can be moved forward/backward and the backrest can be tilted at the desired angle. It seems that traditionally I should have written down the lack of “climate” behind the second row of seats as a minus. But the thing is that it is the 7-seater version of the Hyundai Santa Fe that will receive additional air conditioning for the third row of seats – and thus, I count parity in terms of climatic comfort behind. And I will also mention the button for quickly folding the second row seats for access to the third. Thus, it is in the 7-seater configuration of the cabin that the Hyundai Santa Fe crossover gains additional advantages.
The interior of the Nissan X - Trail is also already well known. Large displays are also installed here, but they are separated from each other: a separate instrument panel and a separate multimedia system. There is also a dedicated climate control unit here; however, there are no buttons around it anymore. For example, all the driving mode settings are collected on the center console: in the switch washer and on additional electric drive control buttons. There is also a two-story center console, which ends with a ventilation unit with a separate "climate" for second-row passengers. And there are also doors with an almost 90-degree opening angle, an adjustable sofa, and window blinds. However, for passengers in the third row of seats, there are no bonuses: no ventilation deflectors, no quick access. By the way, the Nissan X - Trail N - Trek version is distinguished by a special waterproof seat upholstery material. And in the past, the question arose how such seats would feel in spring and summer; I'm reporting - surprisingly, they're not very parks. But still...
This time there will be no compensations or concessions: the result is 1:0 in favor of the Hyundai Santa Fe; and this victory is achieved not only by the luxurious interior decoration, but also by the small (but important) nuances that the 7-seater interior brings. And what about the space reserve?
Round three: interior space, comfort and practicality
Let's start with the Hyundai Santa Fe, as it is larger in size. The length of the front seat cushion is 51 cm, the distance from the edge of the front seat cushion to the accelerator pedal is 41-62 cm, depending on the seat settings. The headroom from the seat cushion to the ceiling is 107 cm (measured along the backrest/headrest, the seat is lowered as much as possible, the backrest angle is about 110 degrees).
Now about the second row of seats. The space in the back for the body/legs is 72-94 cm (from the base of the second-row sofa to the back of the front seat, depending on the position and adjustments of the front seat, with the second-row sofa moved as far back as possible). The gap from the cushion of the second-row sofa to the ceiling is 103 cm (measured along the backrest/headrest). And a few words about the third row of seats. We have a space in the back for the body/legs at the level of 57-70 cm (from the base of the third-row sofa to the back of the second-row sofa, depending on the position and adjustments of the second-row sofa). The gap from the cushion of the third-row sofa to the ceiling is 90 cm (measured along the backrest/headrest).
Now about the trunk: in the standard/common version (5-seater interior configuration), the trunk volume of the Hyundai Santa Fe is 725 liters, but it may vary slightly depending on the specific version and equipment of the car. If we talk about my own measurements, we have the following: the trunk width at the wheel arches is 107 cm, the maximum trunk width at the side niches is 136 cm. The trunk depth, that is, the length from the edge of the trunk to the back of the third row seats, is 40 cm; to the back of the second row of seats we already have 109 cm; and the maximum, provided that the second row of seats is folded and up to the back of the first row of seats, we can count on 198 cm.
A few interesting observations on the topic of the 7-seater interior. First, the straightforward design of the Hyundai Santa Fe worked well for the feeling of spaciousness and high ceiling: surprisingly, I will note that there is a reserve of space above the head in the third row of seats. Secondly, I will also note a good reserve of legroom in the third row of seats: there is a small gap even with the second-row sofa pushed back as far as possible; and if this sofa is moved forward (and the passengers still have legroom there), then surprisingly - I was able to close my knees in the third row of seats! You see: it is not a problem to make a more or less normal third row of seats in the format of a van-minibus, it is not a problem to make a third row of seats in crossovers 5.2-5.3 meters long. But such a comfortable and quite spacious third row of seats in the format of the 4.83-meter Hyundai Santa Fe is truly an achievement of ergonomists.
The Nissan X - Trail crossover is also quite large, but let's put it in numbers. So, the length of the front seat cushion is 50 cm, the distance from the edge of the front seat cushion to the accelerator pedal is 38-63 cm, depending on the seat settings. The headroom from the seat cushion to the ceiling is 106 cm (measured along the backrest/headrest, the seat is lowered as much as possible, the backrest angle is about 110 degrees).
Next, about the second row of seats. The space in the back for the body/legs is 68-94 cm (from the base of the second-row sofa to the back of the front seat, depending on the position and adjustments of the front seat, with the second-row sofa moved as far back as possible). The gap from the cushion of the second-row sofa to the ceiling is 100 cm (measured along the backrest/headrest). Finally, a few words about the third row of seats. We have a space in the body/legs of 43-64 cm (from the base of the third-row sofa to the back of the second-row sofa, depending on the position and adjustments of the second-row sofa). The gap from the cushion of the third-row sofa to the ceiling is 83 cm (measured along the backrest/headrest).
Finally, a few words about the trunk: in the standard/common version (5-seater interior configuration), the trunk volume of the Nissan X - Trail is 485-585 liters, depending on the specific version and equipment of the car. If we talk about my own measurements, we have the following: the trunk width at the wheel arches is 108 cm, the maximum trunk width at the side niches is 130 cm. The trunk depth, that is, the length from the edge of the trunk to the back of the third row of seats, is 30 cm; to the back of the second row of seats, we already have 89 cm; and the maximum, provided that the second row of seats is folded and up to the back of the first row of seats, we can count on 186 cm.
Interestingly, the indirect change in the body/legroom space in the third row of seats indicates to us the adjustment range of the second-row sofa – about 21 cm, which is larger compared to the adjustment range of the Hyundai Santa Fe . But the thing is that for the Nissan X - Trail it is absolutely necessary! The car is smaller in size, so it needs to operate more flexibly at least with the space of the cabin that is already there. For example, if the second row of seats is moved as far back as possible for the convenience of passengers, then in the third row there is simply no more legroom, everything rests against the cushion. That is, you need to move the second row forward; but so as not to pinch the legs of other passengers; so we move the front seats. That's how the game turns out. But I will also note personal observations. It was with this Nissan X - Trail that I met my son's graduation from school (you can congratulate my son and me in the comments). And this means a day of traveling and moving with a group of his friends and classmates, all of them 16-17-year-old teenagers. Trips of 20-30 minutes, within Kyiv and its surroundings; however, if necessary, all those who needed to go "right now" got into the cabin. Therefore, I say this as a personally verified fact: the Nissan X - Trail crossover is capable of transporting 6-7 people in one go, even if it is an emergency and a short trip.
Yes, yes: the Hyundai Santa Fe crossover is bigger – and it uses every inch of its size to its advantage! It's a 1-0 win for the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Round Four: Suspension and Engine
There is no ideal here. Although the Hyundai Santa Fe was closer to it – and all thanks to the chassis setup. Always good driving comfort, lightness of the steering wheel with medium sharpness (2.5 turns from lock to lock), body stability in turns even taking into account the irregularities under the wheels – yes, the body rolls are noticeable, but even on irregularities the car almost does not shift. I will say this: the Hyundai Santa Fe crossover drives very carefully and carefully. The powerful 4-cylinder 2.5-liter turbo engine (281 hp and 422 Nm) paired with the 8 DCT robotic gearbox is also great: quick responses to the accelerator pedal, instant gear changes, various driving modes to influence the character of the car, as well as good dynamics – it is incredible how this considerable cube on wheels gains the qualifying “hundred” in 7.1 seconds! But... in the city it is consistently 12 liters, if you play with the dynamics a little, it will be 13-13.5 liters per 100 km; and there is currently no option (regular hybrid or PHEV hybrid or turbodiesel) that would reduce fuel consumption in the Ukrainian Hyundai Santa Fe range.
That's how much the Nissan X - Trail loses in suspension - it makes up for it with its electrified powertrain. On the go, it doesn't leave the impression that the Nissan X - Trail suspension can't decide what to do: here it seems to work out the bumps quite well, but here it kicks and bounces unpleasantly. All this is combined with periodic swaying, there are noticeable body rolls, but there is no noticeable clarity of control - the steering wheel with an incomprehensible background effort seems to live somewhere in a parallel world. Although I have already noted before and I will mention it again here that the N - Trek version on 18-inch wheels at least tries to go in the direction of comfort and thanks to this it is perceived more unambiguously. However, the main advantage of the Nissan X - Trail is not this version, but any one that says e - POWER, and preferably e -4 ORCE: geniuses of their craft worked on these systems! The start from a place is soft, but very active - because there are simply no eco-pauses and reflections in the reactions of the electric motor. Acceleration while driving is also surprisingly lively, and the speed gain occurs in one continuous line - because there is no usual gearbox here, so there is nothing to switch. However, there are various driving modes here, including the ability to control the electric drive: you can choose the intensity of recuperation, movement only on electric traction, control with one pedal. And all this with similar dynamics - but, attention - with fuel consumption 1.5-2 times less in the urban cycle! You can really get by with 6.5-7-8 liters per 100 km of road. On the highway, when driving at a speed of 100 km/h, the difference in efficiency is not so significant (about 6.5 liters for the Nissan X - Trail versus 7-7.5 liters for the Hyundai Santa Fe ), but it is also present.
The ideal option would be to combine the well-tuned chassis of the Hyundai Santa Fe with the electrified powertrain of the Nissan X - Trail. And so - let's record that each car has its own advantages and each deserves a point. Therefore, we will record 1:1 in this round.
Round five: cost and equipment
Immediately and unequivocally – here the Nissan X - Trail wins thanks to an extremely wide range of versions and trim levels. You can take a car with a petrol 1.5-liter MHEV hybrid or an electrified e - POWER system, with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, you can choose between five trim levels and two cabins (5-seater or 7-seater) – a total of 19 options! Moreover, even in the starting configuration there will be many security systems and intelligent “cruise”, a rearview camera, FULL LED headlights, separate 3-zone climate control, heated steering wheel and seats. In the above trim levels, a 360-degree view, a panoramic glass roof, Bose audio, matrix headlights and other equipment are added.
As for the price tag, here are some guidelines: the starting price for the 2025 Nissan X - Trail is around UAH 1.5 million or $36 thousand; the minimum price for a 7-seater car starts at UAH 1.53 million or almost $37 thousand; a test car ( Nissan X - Trail N - Trek e - POWER e -4 ORCE 7-seater) will cost from UAH 2.04 million or about $49 thousand; the maximum version of the Nissan X - Trail costs from UAH 2.3 million or $55.4 thousand.
The Hyundai Santa Fe crossover offers fewer choices: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter gasoline engine or a 2.5-liter turbo engine, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, three trim levels, a standard 5-seater interior and an optional 7-seater interior; plus I would also like to mention the Calligraphy option package, which significantly changes the car. However, in total, there are still five main variants of the car; or a maximum of eight variants, even if you count the variants with a 7-seater interior and the Calligraphy package separately. The list of equipment for the starting version is generally similar to that of the competitor, and in the maximum versions, the Hyundai Santa Fe crossover can additionally offer front seat ventilation, dual wireless charging, even an ultraviolet sterilizer and folding front seats - these are the components of the Calligraphy package.
However, here's what happens with prices, let's analyze it using the example of cars from 2025: the starting price is UAH 1.815 million or $43.7 thousand; the minimum price of the 7-seater version starts at UAH 2.195 million or $52.9 thousand; a test car ( Hyundai Santa Fe Top 2.5 Turbo GDi 8 DCT 4 WD 7-seater) will cost from UAH 2.42 million or $58.3 thousand; the maximum version of the Hyundai Santa Fe Top Calligraphy costs from UAH 2.62 million or over $63 thousand.
The score in this round is 1:0 in favor of the Nissan X - Trail, which is understandable: it offers a wider choice of versions/configurations, a lower starting price tag, and the 7-seater version (if we start from the main topic of the material) is also more affordable.
Results: 4:3 in favor of Hyundai Santa Fe
There was once a correspondence comparison of several D - SUV crossovers, including the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Nissan X - Trail – and then the latter won. And now it has lost. But how did it happen?! But pay attention to the questions that were asked about these cars and what the focus was on. If you just need a large and comfortable crossover, then the Nissan X - Trail is still a good option: optimal dimensions, an excellent hybrid, an extremely wide choice of versions. In this case, the 7-seater cabin and the interior space of the cabin are some of the advantages; but not the key ones.
And this is where the Hyundai Santa Fe shines, and this is why it wins the duel dedicated to 7-seater saloons! If you need a comfortable family crossover, if you often need to transport 6-7 people, if you need an extremely large trunk for long trips - then pay attention to the Hyundai Santa Fe. And not only that, but also the rest of its advantages are in place: interesting design, beautiful interior decoration, powerful engine, comfort and silence while driving. Just be prepared to pay for the Hyundai Santa Fe - both during the first purchase and at each next gas station. But if you can afford it, then in everything else the Hyundai Santa Fe will thank you well and please the whole large family.