It is named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV. The Santa Fe was a milestone in the company's restructuring program of the late 1990s because the SUV was a hit with American buyers.

There wouldn't be too much else to say if we came right out and said it, but it is true. The Hyundai Tucson is named after the second-largest city in Arizona. Knowing that Hyundai also named the Santa Fe after the city in New Mexico, it appears a lot of the Hyundai crossovers were being named as part of a theme.

The Hyundai Tucson is slightly smaller than the Hyundai Santa Fe, with its 108.5-inch wheelbase and 182.3 inches of overall length. The vehicle is slightly wider, at 73.4 inches, and slightly shorter, at 65.6 inches.

The Santa Fe is classified as a mid-size SUV, while the Tucson is a compact SUV. This size difference typically means more cargo space and potentially more passenger space in the Santa Fe. Seating: The Santa Fe has an optional third-row seating in some models, offering seating for up to seven people.

The Tucson also offers much more powerful 2-liter diesel and petrol powertrains when compared to the Creta. Lastly, the Tucson is much safer thanks to its Hyundai Smartsense ADAS suite which the Creta lacks.

The Hyundai Tucson delivers a lot of value for the money, providing a comfortable ride and helpful technology features. We also like its upscale-feeling cabin and roomy cargo space. Unfortunately it's dogged by a sluggish engine that has trouble keeping pace when the traffic speeds up.

Engine Options: Both vehicles traditionally have a range of engines to choose from. The Santa Fe usually has more powerful engine options due to its larger size. Price: The Santa Fe, being larger and having more features, typically has a higher starting price than the Tucson.

compact SUVs The 2024 Hyundai Tucson is a head-turner among compact SUVs, wearing a stylish wardrobe wrapped around an upscale-but-practical cabin.

Size Differences between Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Tucson The Santa Fe's 108.9-inch wheelbase just beats out the Tucson's 105.5-inch wheelbase, and it's about 10 inches longer overall, as well as a little bit wider than the newer Tucson.

The Origin of Hyundai The Hyundai Motor Company is, in fact, a Korean manufactured vehicle that is making gigantic gains and receiving growing international popularity in the automotive industry.

The 2023 Tucson earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. But NHTSA results are less impressive. The 2023 Tucson AWD only gets a four-star overall safety rating from the agency (most vehicles earn five stars). The FWD Tucson earns a five-star rating, however.

The two 1.6-litre diesels and the 2.0-litre on offer will likely be the best choice for most drivers. The mid-range 1.6-litre may prove to be the best seller, with a reasonable 11.2-second 0-62mph time with a manual gearbox.