Ford Edge Vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Which Mid-Size Crossover Is The Best Deal For Your Dollars?

In the mid-size, five-seat crossover SUV class, you won’t find many names more recognizable than the Ford Edge and the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Ford Edge, introduced in 2007, was an instant hit following its launch thanks to Ford’s long-established reputation for hard-working trucks. The fact that its basic shape has changed very little in a decade and a half is a testament to the fact that Ford got a lot about the Edge’s design right the first time. Ford launched the current second-generation Edge in 2015 and refreshed it in 2019.

Hyundai’s Santa Fe has been around for more than 20 years now, and its popularity has grown steadily over that time as the company has refined its design and performance. The current generation, introduced in 2019, is the most remarkable yet thanks to styling and a list of features that convey an upscale image at mainstream prices.

If you’re looking for a roomy family vehicle with five seats, the Edge and Santa Fe deserve to be on your test-drive list. But before you hit the showrooms, let us help you get an idea of what makes each of these vehicles special.

Santa Fe: In the Santa Fe, you get three powertrains to choose from. SE and SEL trims are standard with a 2.5L four-cylinder with 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque.

Limited and Calligraphy trim levels trade up to a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder that cranks out 277 hp and 311 lb-ft. Both of those engines are matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either FWD or AWD.

You can also get the Santa Fe’s SEL and Limited models with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.6L turbo four-cylinder engine and an electric motor for 178 hp and 195 lb-ft. AWD is standard, but the transmission is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Bottom Line: The Ford Edge gets the nod here, with more power on tap in both its base and uplevel packages. Hyundai makes up some ground in terms of variety thanks to its hybrid offering.

Santa Fe: Unsurprisingly, the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid powertrain is the economy leader in this comparison. A Blue trim package promises 36 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for a combined 34 mpg, while the standard hybrid model is rated for 33/30/32 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Next up is the non-turbo 2.5L with FWD, with ratings of 25/28/26 mpg (city/highway/combined); AWD models are rated 22/25/24 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Finally, fuel economy for a Santa Fe with the 2.5L turbo engine starts at 22/28 mpg (city/highway) – or 25 mpg combined – with FWD, while AWD versions are rated for 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined.

Bottom Line: The Hyundai Santa Fe is the winner in this category. The base model’s 2.5L has a slight edge in combined fuel economy, but Hyundai’s turbo 2.5L is notably more efficient than the Edge’s 2.7L V6. Plus, Hyundai offers its upgraded engine in a thriftier FWD configuration, which Ford does not. And it goes without saying that, while the Santa Fe Hybrid is the least potent powertrain in this comparison, you won’t beat its fuel economy.

Edge: The 2021 Ford Edge is priced to start at $33,495 in SE trim. SEL carries an MSRP of $35,935 and ST-Line and Titanium are both offered for $39,685. In all trims, adding AWD costs $1,995. The sport-oriented Edge ST comes standard with AWD at $44,345.

Santa Fe: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe pricing starts at $28,185 in SE trim, $29,985 in SEL form, and $39,935 for the Limited trim level. In all three, adding AWD costs $1,700. Calligraphy (with standard AWD) starts at $41,935.

Bottom Line: The Santa Fe is a clear winner here, with its two entry trims coming in between $5,000 and $6,000 less than the two most basic versions of the Ford Edge. The Santa Fe’s top Calligraphy trim also costs significantly less than the top Edge ST, although the two are aimed at different types of drivers.

Santa Fe: In the Hyundai Santa Fe SE, you get 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and accent lighting, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, and single-zone manual A/C. SEL models add a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and passive keyless entry.

Limited trim gains 19-inch wheels, LED taillights, power-folding side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power tailgate, leather seating, ventilated front seats with power front-passenger adjustments, heated rear seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a surround-view camera monitor, wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone auto A/C, a heated steering wheel, a digital gauge cluster, a 115-volt power outlet, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and near-field communication (NFC) key technology. Finally, Calligraphy adds 20-inch wheels, Nappa leather seating, a head-up display, suede headlining, and ambient cabin lighting.

Bottom Line: The Hyundai Santa Fe gets the win here. Ford includes more standard features in the Edge, but at a higher starting price. In addition, the Santa Fe Limited and Calligraphy models include features that either cost extra in the Edge or are not available at all.

Edge: The entry-level Ford Edge SE comes standard with the Co-Pilot 360 suite of safety features, which comprises blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping alert/assist, forward collision warning with automatic braking, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams.

If you choose the Edge’s SEL, ST-Line, Titanium or ST trims, you can add Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ as an option, which brings adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and evasive steering assist. Edge Titanium is also available with active park assist, which includes front and rear parking sensors.

Santa Fe: The Hyundai Santa Fe SE comes with forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention warning. You have to move up to SEL to get blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, rear-seat occupant alert, and safe exit assist. Limited and Calligraphy gain front and rear parking sensors, remote smart parking assist, and a highway driving assist function with lane following.

Bottom Line: Here, the Hyundai Santa Fe ekes out a narrow win. The Edge comes standard with more driver assist features, but the Santa Fe SEL matches the base Edge’s content at a lower price.

However, if you’re looking for the latest in advanced safety tech, the Santa Fe offers more in its upper trims, like a rear-seat occupant alert, safe exit assist, and a high-tech remote parking assist function.

Santa Fe: If you buy a Santa Fe, you get 41.2 in. of headroom in the front seats, and 39 in. in the rear. (An optional sunroof reduces those figures, however, to 39.5 in. up front and 37.8 in. for rear-seat passengers). Front-seat legroom measures 44.1 in. Those riding in the back get 41.7 in. of legroom, except in hybrid models, whose rear-seat legroom is reduced to 40.8 in.

Bottom Line: This particular contest is a close one, but the Hyundai Santa Fe gets the win for its extra front-seat headroom, and a notable bonus in legroom for both front and rear seating positions.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is the overall winner in this contest, but not by a large margin. Hyundai’s victory is based on its outperforming the Edge in the cabin space, fuel economy, tech and features, and pricing categories. Ford is one of the few mainstream automakers that brings a sporty crossover – the Edge ST – within reach of budget-minded buyers. However, the Santa Fe’s attractive pricing, coupled with its upscale appearance and available luxury features, makes it the more compelling choice in a market aimed squarely at family drivers looking for the best value for their dollars.

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