Both the CX-9 and the Santa Fe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.
Safety
Engine
The CX-9's 2.5 turbo 4 cyl. produces 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 252) than the Santa Fe's 3.3 DOHC V6.
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better fuel mileage than the Santa Fe:
|
|
CX-9 |
Santa Fe |
|
2WD |
2.5 turbo 4 cyl./Auto |
22 city/28 hwy |
18 city/25 hwy |
3.3 V6/Auto |
|
|
n/a |
17 city/23 hwy |
3.3 V6/Auto |
4WD |
2.5 turbo 4 cyl./Auto |
20 city/26 hwy |
18 city/24 hwy |
3.3 V6/Auto |
|
|
n/a |
17 city/22 hwy |
3.3 V6/Auto |
Environmental Friendliness
In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-9 higher (6 out of 10) than the Hyundai Santa Fe (5 to 6). This means the CX-9 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Santa Fe every 15,000 miles.
Brakes and Stopping
The CX-9 stops shorter than the Santa Fe:
|
CX-9 |
Santa Fe |
|
60 to 0 MPH |
123 feet |
125 feet |
Motor Trend |
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the CX-9 has larger tires than the Santa Fe (255/60R18 vs. 235/60R18).
The CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Santa Fe Ultimate's 55 series tires.
For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature has standard 20-inch wheels. The Santa Fe's largest wheels are only 19-inches.
Suspension and Handling
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9's wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the Santa Fe (115.3 inches vs. 110.2 inches).
For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-9 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the Santa Fe.
The CX-9 Signature AWD handles at .82 G's, while the Santa Fe Limited AWD pulls only .74 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.
The CX-9 Signature AWD executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Santa Fe Limited AWD (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G's vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G's).
Cargo Capacity
The CX-9's cargo area provides more volume than the Santa Fe.
|
CX-9 |
Santa Fe |
Behind Third Seat |
14.4 cubic feet |
13.5 cubic feet |
The CX-9's cargo area is larger than the Santa Fe's in almost every dimension:
|
CX-9 |
Santa Fe |
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st) |
21.4”/49.7”/84.5” |
17.6”/47”/84” |
Max Width |
57.2” |
50.7” |
Min Width |
40” |
44” |
Height |
30.3” |
n/a |
Ergonomics
The CX-9 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Santa Fe doesn't offer a remote starting system.
The CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature has a standard heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver's line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Santa Fe doesn't offer a heads-up display.
The CX-9's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.
The CX-9's optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Santa Fe's manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.
The CX-9 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won't have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Santa Fe.
Economic Advantages
According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-9 is less expensive to operate than the Santa Fe because it costs $198 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-9 than the Santa Fe, including $139 less for a water pump, $264 less for an alternator and $230 less for a power steering pump.
Recommendations
The CX-9 was chosen as one of Car and Driver's “Top Five Trucks” in 2008. The Santa Fe has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five Truck” pick.
Motor Trend selected the CX-9 as their 2008 Sport Utility of the Year. The Santa Fe has never been chosen.
The CX-9 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine's “All Stars” in 2008. The Santa Fe has never been an “All Star.”
A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the CX-9 as the 2008 North American Truck of the Year. The Santa Fe has never been chosen.