Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda Pilot: Opinion from a North Carolina Hyundai Dealer

Let’s see how our new Hyundai Santa Fe stacks up against one of its toughest competitors—the Honda Pilot. While both have a great lineup of features, one reason why we’re in the business of selling cars is because of the Hyundai Sante Fe. This new Hyundai SUV has everything you and your family will need.

Exterior Design

When it comes to exterior design, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot take very different approaches. The Santa Fe features a sleek, modern look with flowing lines and a bold grille that turns heads on the streets of Rocky Mount. Greenville drivers will appreciate the Santa Fe’s stylish LED headlights and taillights.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Exterior Design

For the 2025 model year, the Hyundai Santa Fe receives some exciting upgrades to its already eye-catching exterior. A redesigned front fascia with a larger grille and slimmer headlights gives the SUV an even more aggressive and sporty appearance that’s sure to impress in Roanoke Rapids. New wheel designs and paint colors provide further opportunities to customize your Santa Fe to your personal style.

Honda Pilot Exterior Design

In contrast to the Santa Fe, the Honda Pilot has a more traditional, boxy shape that resembles a truck more than a sleek crossover SUV. While some prefer this look, many Cary residents find it outdated and less sophisticated compared to the Santa Fe’s modern design language. The Pilot’s chrome accents and large grille can come across as excessive and flashy to some.

Interior Design

Inside the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot, you’ll find two very different interior environments. The Santa Fe offers a refined, upscale cabin with high-quality materials and an intuitive layout that puts every control at your fingertips in Goldsboro. And when it’s time to visit family in Wake Forest, your riders will love the spacious and comfortable seating for up to seven.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Design and Upgrades

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe takes interior comfort and convenience to the next level with available upgrades such as:

• Premium Nappa leather seating surfaces
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio

2025 Honda Pilot Interior Design and Upgrades

While the Honda Pilot offers a spacious interior, it lacks the refinement and attention to detail found in the Santa Fe. Plastic surfaces and a cluttered center stack detract from the overall experience. Available upgrades on the Pilot include:

• Perforated leather seating
• Heated front seats
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• 8-inch touchscreen audio system
• 10-speaker premium audio

Technology and Safety

Today’s families demand the latest technology and advanced safety features in their vehicles. The Hyundai Santa Fe delivers an impressive array of standard and available tech that you won’t find on the Honda Pilot. During trips to Wilson, you’ll have greater peace of mind thanks to the Santa Fe’s comprehensive SmartSense safety suite.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Technology and Safety Features

• 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Surround View Monitor
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection
• Highway Driving Assist

Honda Pilot Technology and Safety Features

• Available 9-inch digital instrument cluster display
• Blind Spot Information System
• Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
• Intelligent Traction Management system
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Road Departure Mitigation System

Performance

Under the hood, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot offer capable engines and available all-wheel drive for confidence in any conditions. However, the Santa Fe pulls ahead with its superior fuel efficiency and responsive handling compared to the larger, heavier Pilot.

Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Economy and Drivetrain

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with HTRAC all-wheel drive available. When properly equipped, the Santa Fe achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

Honda Pilot Fuel Economy and Drivetrain

The Honda Pilot comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with Intelligent Variable Torque Management all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy estimates for the Pilot come in at 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway.

Medlin Hyundai

After comparing the new Hyundai Sante Fe 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot, it’s clear that the Santa Fe comes out ahead in key areas that matter most to families. With its stylish design, upscale interior, advanced technology and safety features, and superior efficiency, the Santa Fe is the clear choice for discerning buyers.

Tags: hyundai, hyundai santa fe, Hyundai Suv, New Hyundai Santa Fe
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