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Hyundai Santa Fe vs BMW X3

What's the difference?

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Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe

$53,000 - $79,795

2025 price

BMW X3
BMW X3

$86,100 - $128,900

2025 price

Summary

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
2025 BMW X3
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.5L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
9.3L/100km (combined)

0.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
7

5
Dislikes
  • Not as efficient as hybrid siblings
  • Exterior design won't land with everyone
  • Basic warranty terms on offer

  • Panoramic sunroof doesn't open
  • Gear selector seems fiddly
  • Strictly a five-seater
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Summary

A big welcome to one of the first turbo-petrol four-cylinder versions of the new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, a model that launched locally with only its hybrid variants available to our market.

While it might not satisfy the fans of the previous-gen's V6 petrol engine, it might be enough for those who have been on the fence about going the hybrid route.

This is my third time in the new Santa Fe, and each tested variant has managed to offer something different and the base petrol grade, in FWD, is no different – but does it offer enough?

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2025 BMW X3 Summary

If you’ve ever wondered when cars will stop getting bigger…continue to wonder. Because if you’re BMW, it hasn’t happened yet.

The new, fourth-generation BMW X3 is here now and as well as being bigger in every dimension apart from height, it also ushers in revised versions of existing tech, a standardisation of what was once optional and has brought hybridisation to every model in the new line-up.

Just as the 3 Series was once BMW’s bread-and-butter model, in the SUV age, at least some of that responsibility must fall at the X3’s feet. So it’s an important model and one that BMW must get right. At the same time, the new X3 brings into the spotlight the latest corporate design language and BMW, as much as any carmaker, knows how risky that can be.

The brand also understands how divisive the latest interface technology can be, but has elected to fit it to the X3 anyway. That’s faith in the product, right there. But will punters be of the same opinion?

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 2025 BMW X3

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