2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Mazda CX-90: Family SUVs Compared in Ontario
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Mazda CX-90: Family SUVs Compared in Ontario
Posted on June 15, 2026
Shopping for a three-row SUV in Ontario often comes down to how simple you want ownership to be. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV and the Mazda CX-90 both promise room for a full family and a hybrid powertrain, but they get there in very different ways.
One offers a single, well-sorted hybrid system across its entire lineup. The other spreads efficiency and power across two separate electrified systems. Here is how the two stack up on fuel use, seating, cargo, and everyday equipment.
Santa Fe HEV vs. CX-90: Key Specifications
| Spec | 2026 Santa Fe HEV | 2026 CX-90 |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 6.9 L/100 km | 9.4 L/100 km (MHEV GS) / 9.5 L/100 km (MHEV GT-P) |
| Powertrain | 1.6L turbo 4-cyl hybrid, 231 hp / 271 lb-ft combined, regular fuel | 3.3L turbo inline-6 MHEV, 280-340 hp; 2.5L PHEV with 42 km electric range |
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers standard (6 with 2nd-row Captain’s Chairs on the top trim) | 8 passengers standard on GS (7 with optional Captain’s Chairs) |
| Touchscreen | 12.3-inch, with built-in navigation from Luxury up | 10.25-inch on GS, 12.3-inch from GS-L up |
| Max Towing | 2,000 lbs (907 kg) braked | 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg) PHEV / 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) MHEV GT-L |
One Hybrid System vs. Two Different Ones
The Santa Fe HEV runs the same 1.6L turbo four-cylinder hybrid system across every trim, paired with HTRAC AWD standard from Preferred through the top trim. It makes 231 hp and 271 lb-ft combined, runs on regular fuel, and posts a 6.9 L/100 km combined rating.
The CX-90 splits its lineup between two electrified systems. The MHEV inline-six starts at 280 hp and 332 lb-ft on the GS, climbing to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft on the GT-P. A separate 2.5L PHEV adds 42 km of electric range.
That GT-P’s extra power is real, nearly 110 hp more than the Santa Fe’s combined output. But it comes with a fuel bill to match: 9.5 L/100 km combined against the Santa Fe’s 6.9 L/100 km, and a second powertrain family to choose between instead of one straightforward hybrid.
The CX-90 does tow more. The MHEV GT-L is rated to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) and the PHEV to 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg), well past the Santa Fe’s 2,000 lbs (907 kg) braked rating. Most weekly driving, school runs, hockey bags, grocery loads, never touches trailer weight, and the Santa Fe’s lower running cost adds up every week, not just on tow days.
Seating: Simplicity vs. Headcount
The CX-90 MHEV GS and PHEV GS both seat 8 across a three-row bench layout. Moving to GS-L and GT trims swaps in an optional Captain’s Chairs setup that drops capacity to 7.
The Santa Fe keeps it simple: 7-passenger seating is standard on Preferred, Trend, and Luxury. The top Calligraphy trim swaps in 2nd-row Captain’s Chairs for a 6-passenger layout instead.
The CX-90’s extra seat is a narrow centre bench many families skip after the first trip with car seats or teenagers aboard. The Santa Fe’s Captain’s Chairs, standard on its top trim, prioritize dedicated space and easier third-row access over a rarely used middle spot.
Cargo Space Behind Every Row
The Santa Fe offers 2,267 L behind the first row, 1,148 L behind the second row, and 413 L behind the third row, giving three usable cargo configurations depending on how many rows are in use.
The CX-90 also organizes its cargo hold behind three rows, but families should ask about exact volumes and liftgate dimensions when comparing loads like strollers, hockey bags, or flat-pack furniture.
Technology and Comfort by Trim
Every Santa Fe trim gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Preferred and Trend run a 12.3-inch ccNC lite touchscreen without navigation; Luxury and Calligraphy step up to a 12.3-inch screen with built-in navigation and a matching 12.3-inch digital cluster.
The Calligraphy trim tops the lineup with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a head-up display, and a dual wireless charging pad, rounding out the equipment list without needing extra trims beyond the fourth.
The CX-90 reaches a 12.3-inch touchscreen starting at GS-L, up from a 10.25-inch screen and 7-inch instrument cluster on the base GS. Its standard audio starts at 8 speakers on GS and doesn’t reach 12 speakers until the GT trim, and it offers Amazon Alexa voice control for cabin functions.
The Santa Fe also layers in SmartSense driver-assist features by trim. Highway Driving Assist 1 is standard on Luxury, and the top Calligraphy trim adds Highway Driving Assist 2, a surround-view monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist for tight spaces.
Matching the Santa Fe HEV to Your Family
Buyers cross-shopping this segment sometimes chase peak horsepower or plug-in range, and the CX-90’s spec sheet offers both: up to 340 hp on the GT-P and 42 km of electric range on the PHEV. Those numbers matter for towing heavier loads or short all-electric commutes from a home charger.
For the way most Ontario families actually drive day to day, one dependable hybrid system, standard AWD on every trim, and a fuel bill that stays near 6.9 L/100 km make the Santa Fe the more practical everyday fit.
- Want the lowest running costs with one hybrid powertrain to learn? The Santa Fe’s 6.9 L/100 km combined rating and single 1.6T HEV system keep ownership simple.
- Need reliable three-row seating for weekly carpools? The Santa Fe offers 7 seats standard, with a 6-passenger Captain’s Chairs layout on the Calligraphy trim.
- Want a fully equipped SUV without climbing through extra trims? Bose 12-speaker audio, a head-up display, and dual wireless charging all land on the Santa Fe’s top trim.
Test-Drive the 2026 Santa Fe HEV in Guelph
The 2026 Santa Fe HEV pairs a single 1.6L turbo hybrid powertrain with standard AWD, seating for up to seven, and equipment that reaches Bose audio and a head-up display without requiring a rival’s priciest trim.
Visit Guelph Hyundai in Guelph to see the Santa Fe HEV’s seating configurations and cargo space in person, and book a test drive to feel how its hybrid system handles everyday Ontario driving.
Suggested headlines: 1. 2026 Santa Fe HEV vs. CX-90: How 6.9 L/100 km Beats a Second Hybrid System 2. Which Hyundai Santa Fe HEV Trim Has the 12.3-Inch Screen With Navigation? 3. From Preferred to Calligraphy: Every 2026 Santa Fe HEV Trim Compared 4. 231 Hp, One Powertrain: Why the Santa Fe HEV Outruns the CX-90’s Complexity 5. Santa Fe HEV’s 6.9 L/100 km Fuel Economy Outpaces the CX-90’s 9.4 L/100 km