Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Crown Signia: Electrified Family Hauler Battle
What's the ideal vehicle for a large or active family that needs plenty of space and likes to travel, but without burning too much fuel? A midsize SUV with a hybrid powertrain is certainly an option. Two new models that we tested in recent months fit the bill, although they differ widely in terms of styling and configuration.
We’re talking about the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Toyota Crown Signia. You can click on the links for a full review of each one. Here, we’re going to pit them against each other and tell you about their strengths and weaknesses. Which one should you choose? Read on.
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In the Blue Corner: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
As you all know, the Korean SUV has dramatically changed and expanded as part of its 2024 redesign. Beyond the polarizing exterior, one thing's for sure: practicality is still there. Now offering three rows of seats as standard, the Santa Fe's interior is beautifully spacious and versatile.
The trunk is a very modest 413 litres, which means that one or two rear seatbacks need to be dropped on occasion. This gives up to 1,148 litres of cargo room, or up to 2,267 litres when the second row is also folded down (with available power folding seats making it super-easy, too). Think about all the gear you could haul. What’s more, the huge liftgate opening is a blessing, not to mention the raised roof rails.
Up front, the decidedly modern cockpit features clear displays and an infotainment system that's pleasantly responsive and user-friendly. The mix of comfort and support provided by the seats is also worth highlighting, as is the visibility afforded by the generous glass area (larger than it appears from the outside). Soundproofing is decent but could be better.
What will delight all parents is the centre console, which ranks among the most convenient out there. There’s a capacious storage bin under the armrest, two large cup holders and phone trays, easy-to-access USB-C ports and even more storage in the open space underneath the console.
The chunky steering wheel could perhaps use some tweaks, especially the spokes at 9 and 3 o’clock and the paddle shifters, to ensure a better grip. Additionally, steering is firm but not that precise. On the road, you can definitely feel the Santa Fe Hybrid’s size and weight (up to 2,075 kg), which have both increased with the new generation. On the other hand, stability is reassuring and the various advanced driving aids effectively play their part, including the system that enables semi-autonomous highway driving.
The final item we need to cover, obviously, is the Santa Fe’s efficient hybrid powertrain, consisting of a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and a single electric motor that together deliver 231 horsepower and, more importantly, 271 lb-ft of torque from 1,000-5,100 rpm.
Power delivery is controlled by a six-speed automatic transmission that may hesitate a bit at times but generally does a good job. Full EV operation is a fairly regular occurrence in city driving, resulting in combined fuel consumption as low as 6.9 L/100 km (Natural Resources Canada), which we quite nearly matched during our summer test drive—without any serious effort to save gas, but also without carrying heavy loads.
In the Red Corner: Toyota Crown Signia
Toyota's unpopular, second-generation Venza is no more, replaced by the much more compelling Crown Signia. Also a crossover, but in a more wagon-like body style, the latter proves more accommodating and more practical than the Crown sedan it shares many elements with. Unlike its Korean rival, the Crown Signia has only two rows of seats, but that's because it primarily targets couples without children as well as empty nesters. As such, it is more of a direct alternative to the Subaru Outback, for which an electrified variant is still awaited. For a three-row Toyota, go with the Highlander.
Legroom in both rows compares with what the Santa Fe offers, and don't let the low-slung silhouette fool you: headroom is no problem, either. While seating is a little more comfortable, drivers enjoy less visibility on the sides and in the rear (though a digital rear-view mirror is included). Cargo volume ranges from 702 to 1,872 litres, which is unsurprisingly lower than Hyundai's offering due to a more compact size and shorter interior height, but nonetheless satisfying.
The Crown Signia has a sportier look inside and out. The driving position and feel behind the wheel are also more car-like, we can tell you that. Similar to the Santa Fe, this Japanese SUV makes use of two large and easy-to-read displays, although Toyota’s multimedia system doesn’t match Hyundai’s. Oh, and we absolutely need to say a word about the steering column-mounted driver attention monitor, which doesn’t seem to tolerate any distractions and keeps triggering alerts. We bet you'll want to disable the feature.
Although the Crown Signia does exhibit body roll in corners, it proves a little more dynamic and pleasant to drive than the Santa Fe. Quieter too, we might add. The large 21-inch wheels do not affect ride quality all that much thanks to the soft suspension.
Finally, when it comes to the powertrain, the formula is quite different, here: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine is mated to two electric motors. Shifting, so to speak, is handled by a continuously variable transmission that we wish was more responsive. The result is similar output (240 hp, combined torque is unspecified), while the Crown Signia's lighter weight (1,910 kg) makes for quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration.
The gas engine is a bit grumpy, though, and it's a shame Toyota doesn't offer its Hybrid Max system built around a 2.4-litre turbo engine (that one is reserved for the Crown, unfortunately). Be that as it may, we’re rather pleased with the overall performance. Average fuel consumption is 6.2 L/100 km according to NRC, or 7.4 L/100 km on our watch (mid-fall test drive in colder temperatures with winter tires on).
Our Verdict
An important aspect for families that we haven't covered yet is towing. The Crown Signia has the edge in that department with a maximum towing capacity of 2,700 lbs versus 2,000 lbs for the Korean SUV. And remember, the former relies on a CVT instead of a conventional automatic transmission.
In the end, choosing one or the other depends a lot on the size of your family and, well, your budget. Our team at The Car Guide believes that the Hyundai Santa Fe is the best buy you can make in the midsize SUV segment with its combination of space, versatility, technology, efficiency (in hybrid configuration) and value. The 2025 model is now on sale starting at an all-inclusive price of $45,216.
The Toyota Crown Signia, which comes in a single trim level (Limited, with an optional Advanced Technology package), costs a minimum of $60,401, making it up to $15,000 more expensive. Need financing? Toyota’s higher interest rates will further hurt your wallet. And as we mentioned, real-world fuel economy is not as good as advertised. Toyota Canada should seriously consider adding a cheaper entry-level model like in the U.S. to close the gap with competitors such as the Santa Fe Hybrid.