2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. As a fifth-generation model that debuted in 2024, it retained its chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps aligned with Hyundai’s design aesthetic, and the SUV offered vibrant colors like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim featured specific wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, and the XRT trim added chrome and black accents for an off-road look. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Calligraphy trim, which offered captain’s chairs in the second row. Interior materials varied from cloth to Nappa leather, but some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The inclusion of physical HVAC dials was appreciated, though the fan speed buttons were less intuitive.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, despite efforts to enhance its style, still resembled a traditional minivan. Its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines added some flair, but the overall design remained boxy to maximize interior space. The Sienna’s narrow taillights and rear fenders drew a family resemblance to the Camry sedan. The Platinum trim introduced new flower-petal wheel designs. While the Sienna maintained its minivan appearance, it offered practicality with seating for up to eight. Our test vehicle, the Platinum model, featured a new Magnetic Gray paint color and a range of accessories, bringing its MSRP to $58,634. Toyota updated the Sienna’s interior for 2025, but opinions on the new woodgrain finish were mixed. The interior was generally considered an improvement, though some passengers found the design elements less appealing.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting duties. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, delivering 231 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft of torque. The Santa Fe provided stable handling with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag was noticeable during acceleration. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. However, it wasn’t designed for rugged rock crawling, making it suitable for graded dirt roads and small obstacles.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It offered FWD as standard, with an optional AWD system that included a rear-mounted electric motor. The Sienna’s net horsepower was 245, which was modest for a vehicle seating up to eight and towing 3,500 pounds. However, the electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the minivan from feeling sluggish. In city driving, the powertrain was unobtrusive, and highway cruising was quiet. Hard acceleration revealed the CVT’s droning sound. The Sienna’s hybrid system prioritized fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 26.3 mpg. The Sienna’s handling was predictable but not particularly engaging, with squishy steering in curves. The XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more dynamic drive. The Sienna excelled in providing a smooth, absorbent ride with excellent impact isolation.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of features across its trims. The base SE trim included a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control, and a dual-way center console. The XRT trim added heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet for off-road accessories. The Calligraphy trim featured heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system. All Santa Fe models had a two-level glove box, with upper trims offering a UV-C sanitizer. The Santa Fe boasted ample space, with the most third-row legroom in its class. The second and third rows could be folded to expand cargo space, offering 40.5 cubic feet with the second row folded and 79.6 cubic feet with both rows down. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, accommodating larger items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, while the XRT trim increased towing capacity to 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized form and function, offering unique seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and wrapped in perforated leather, though they felt firm during long drives. The Platinum trim’s second-row captain’s chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with teenagers. The third-row seat accommodated adults, and the sliding side doors facilitated easy loading and unloading. Most trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. Storage space was generous, with a wide tray under the center console. However, finding secure spots for large water bottles was challenging. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Maximum cargo capacity was 101 cubic feet, less than rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats. Toyota’s research suggested most owners didn’t remove seats, but those needing maximum load space might find the Sienna less accommodating.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also offering a digital gauge cluster of the same size. The system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick response times. While not all trims included built-in navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Upper trims offered Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay for convenient transactions. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging for two phones. The digital key feature allowed unlocking and starting the car via a smartphone or Apple Watch, with the option to share the key with others. A fingerprint scanner added extra security. The Santa Fe offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display on higher trims. Bluelink app connectivity was standard, providing remote climate control, alerts, and over-the-air updates.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna’s higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. An Entertainment Package added an 11.6-inch display, HDMI input, remote, and wireless headphones. The TAM system offered five connected services plans with varying trial periods. The digital assistant, part of the Drive Connect plan, responded accurately to commands. Apple and Amazon Music accounts were integrated into the system. If subscriptions lapsed, wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto could be used. The Sienna Platinum featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system, though sound quality was muddy with excessive bass. The four-zone climate control system was appreciated, and the digital rearview camera offered zoom capabilities. The surround-view camera and HUD were helpful features.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more as standard. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance assist and Highway Drive Assist. The Highway Drive Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane following assist, though it occasionally exhibited abrupt braking and acceleration in traffic. The top trim included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The driver attention warning system was standard, with an expanded driver monitor system on higher trims. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it as Good in most categories, with Acceptable scores for headlights and LATCH.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, an older technology set compared to TSS 3.0. TSS 2.0 included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The lane-centering assist performed well, though it occasionally wavered. The adaptive cruise control required human intervention during sudden traffic braking events. The Sienna introduced a rear-seat reminder system, alerting the driver to movement within the cabin. The NHTSA gave the Sienna a five-star overall rating, but it scored lower in frontal crash tests, with three stars for driver protection. No minivans earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.