2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out in a dwindling market of wagons in the United States. It embraced the crossover aesthetic with its rugged design elements like chunky wheel-arch flares and skid plate-inspired fascias. The Crimson Red Pearl paint of the test car complemented its black leather interior, though the Outback was arguably more striking in earthy tones. Subaru's focus on off-road capabilities paid off, as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became top sellers for the brand. The 2025 model saw no major changes, but the Limited trim gained features like a power moonroof and Subaru’s DriverFocus technology. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather and ventilated front seats, enhancing the interior's appeal.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in five trims, maintained its design from the 2024 debut. Its boxy, three-row SUV design featured a long wheelbase and pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps, aligning with Hyundai's design language. While the front design was cohesive, the rear's proportions were less balanced. Each trim had distinct wheel sizes, with the XRT trim adding off-road elements. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, except the Calligraphy trim with captain’s chairs. The interior had a good fit and finish, though some squeaks were noted. The gear selector on the steering column required some getting used to, and the XRT trim's off-road capabilities were enhanced with all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a Boxer engine in two forms: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 260 horsepower. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a CVT and standard AWD. The turbocharged engine provided better acceleration, making the XT model a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback excelled off-road with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which increased to 9.5 inches in the Wilderness model. The ride was smooth and comfortable, though the stop/start technology and CVT had some drawbacks.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It offered FWD or AWD, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was generally responsive, though turbo lag was noticeable. The gear selector on the steering column was unconventional, requiring some adjustment. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and improved off-road geometry, though it wasn't suited for extreme off-roading. The Santa Fe handled well in corners, but the transmission occasionally hesitated during downshifts.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape provided practicality with easy entry and exit, a low roof for loading, and a low center of gravity for agile handling. It offered 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with it folded. The passenger volume was 109 cubic feet, larger than many crossovers, though the rear seat was slightly smaller. The towing capacity was 2,700 pounds, increasing to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's base SE trim was basic but included features like a hands-free liftgate and dual-zone climate control. The XRT trim added heated front seats and a sunroof, while the Calligraphy trim offered luxury features like heated second-row seats and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe excelled in space, with the most third-row legroom in its class and adjustable second-row seats. Cargo space was 40.5 cubic feet with the second row folded and 79.6 cubic feet with both rows down. The rear opening was wider and taller, facilitating easier loading. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Harman Kardon audio system performed well despite occasional interruptions. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, and the Touring trim included a CD player and USB ports.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also getting a digital gauge cluster. The system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims offered additional features like Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included USB-C ports and wireless charging. The Santa Fe also offered a digital key and fingerprint scanner for security. The Bluelink app provided connectivity and remote features, and over-the-air updates kept the software current.

The 2025 Subaru Outback came with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology, offering features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The system kept the vehicle in its lane but required frequent corrections. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist standard. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance and Highway Drive Assist. The system's performance varied in traffic, but it generally worked well. The top trims included a blind spot avoidance feature and Blind-View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, except for headlights and LATCH categories.