SUV & Wagon car comparison

Hyundai SANTA FE vs Hyundai TUCSON

Both are suv & wagon vehicles on New Zealand roads. Based on NZTA fleet data.

Hyundai SANTA FE 24,692 on NZ roads
VS
Hyundai TUCSON 22,384 on NZ roads
$1/week cheaper to fuel — Hyundai SANTA FE at $59/wk vs $60/wk
17.69999999999999 kW more power — Hyundai SANTA FE at 145.6 kW
Hyundai SANTA FE 24,692 in NZ Wins 3 of 4
Hyundai TUCSON 22,384 in NZ
Registered in NZ
24,692
22,384
Fuel Economy
7.5 L/100km
7.6 L/100km
Power
145.6 kW
127.9 kW
Weight
2,574.5 kg
2,147.1 kg
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Body Type
SUV & Wagon
SUV & Wagon
Seats
7
5
Year Range
2000–2026
2004–2026
Imported New
98%
98%

NZ Registrations Over Time

Registration trend for Hyundai SANTA FE vs Hyundai TUCSON: comparing annual new registrations in NZ from 2020 onwards. Hyundai SANTA FE has more total registrations.

Regional Popularity

Region Hyundai SANTA FE Hyundai TUCSON
AUCKLAND 6,504 7,911
CHRISTCHURCH CITY 2,132 1,519
HAMILTON CITY 1,026 888
TAURANGA CITY 865 704
WELLINGTON CITY 579 598
NAPIER CITY 550 570
WHANGAREI DISTRICT 601 463
HASTINGS DISTRICT 515 484

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more popular in NZ — the Hyundai SANTA FE or Hyundai TUCSON?

The Hyundai SANTA FE is more common with 24,692 registered in New Zealand compared to 22,384 for the Hyundai TUCSON. A larger fleet means more mechanics familiar with the car and easier access to parts.

Which is cheaper to run — Hyundai SANTA FE or Hyundai TUCSON?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Hyundai SANTA FE uses less fuel at 7.5 L/100km compared to 7.6 L/100km. At current fuel prices of approximately $2.80/L, that difference adds up over a year of typical driving.

Are Hyundai SANTA FE and Hyundai TUCSON the same body type?

Both are classified as SUV & Wagon vehicles in the NZTA fleet data. The Hyundai SANTA FE is primarily a diesel vehicle while the Hyundai TUCSON runs on petrol.

Are these cars typically imported new or used?

98% of Hyundai SANTA FE models were imported new to NZ, while 2% came as used imports. For the Hyundai TUCSON, 98% were new and 2% were used imports.

Where does this data come from?

All figures are sourced from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Motor Vehicle Register, current as of 31 March 2026. This covers 3,678,722 registered passenger vehicles in New Zealand.

Data sourced from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Motor Vehicle Register, current as of 31 March 2026.