BMW X3 vs Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 36 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the BMW X3, a 6 mpg advantage and costs about $900 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Hyundai Santa Fe leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
BMW X3
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 47 configurations
2015–2027
Hyundai Santa Fe
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 90 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW X3 | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 30 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 27 mpg | 37 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 33 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,600 | $1,700 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 204 g/mi | 111 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV | SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6, SIDI; PHEV |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM-S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Diesel | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 47 | 90 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
X3 vs Santa Fe: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW X3 or the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 36 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the BMW X3, a 6 mpg advantage and costs about $900 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Hyundai Santa Fe runs about $1,700 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,600 for the BMW X3 — a difference of roughly $900 per year.
What engines do the X3 and Santa Fe offer?
BMW X3: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV. Hyundai Santa Fe: SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6, SIDI; PHEV.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the BMW X3 and the Hyundai Santa Fe as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More X3 comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-x3-vs-hyundai-santa-fe