Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is the cheaper one to own — roughly $3,834 less over five years, mostly because it holds its value better.
The Toyota Grand Highlander is the stronger all-round pick here — cheaper to own with little given up in return.
Last updated July 2026 · National-average estimates
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Toyota Grand Highlander
| Metric | Hyundai Santa Fe | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| MotiveGrid Score | 84 | 83 |
| Cost of Ownership | 81 | 85 |
| Powertrain | 62 | 67 |
| Driver Assistance | 32 | 43 |
| Livability | 71 | 51 |
| Safety | 97 | 95 |
| 5-Year Cost to Own | $53,665 | $49,831 |
| Depreciation (5-yr) | $18,997 | $13,143 |
| Fuel / Energy (5-yr) | $14,034 | $14,034 |
| Insurance (5-yr) | $10,320 | $11,935 |
| Maintenance (5-yr) | $1,890 | $1,315 |
| Tires (5-yr) | $2,150 | $1,900 |
| Financing (5-yr) | $5,274 | $6,358 |
| Registration (5-yr) | $1,000 | $1,145 |
| Starting Price | $35,050 | $42,260 |
| Horsepower | 277 hp | 265 hp |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Cargo volume | 14.6 cu ft | 20.6 cu ft |
| Seating | 7 | 8 |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Hyundai Santa Fe scores higher overall.
Which vehicle is right for you
Toyota Grand Highlander is the better pick for long-term ownership — about $3,834 cheaper over 5 years with stronger fundamentals on running cost.
Hyundai Santa Fe still wins if your priority is best for lower upfront price.
Cost of Ownership
State
Frequently asked questions
Where these rank
- Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #1 of 3 in Cheapest 3-Row SUV to Insure and #1 of 3 in Easiest 3-Row SUV to Park.
- Toyota Grand Highlander ranks #1 of 3 in Best 3-Row SUV and #1 of 3 in Cheapest 3-Row SUV to Own.
What each one costs at the counter
Both five-year totals above count yearly registration. Neither counts what the state takes on the day you sign — sales tax and the title fee. Those are one-time, they are not the dealer’s to negotiate, and on a car at this price they run to four figures in most states. Work out yours:
- Tax, title and license in Texaswhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Californiawhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in Floridawhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in New Yorkwhat a car costs to own there
- Tax, title and license in New Jerseywhat a car costs to own there
Compare tax, title and license across all 22 states we cover →