Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Nissan Pathfinder: Specs Compared
Also searched as Nissan Pathfinder vs Hyundai Santa Cruz specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Nissan Pathfinder is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Hyundai Santa Cruz, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Nissan Pathfinder leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2022–2027
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 20 configurations
2015–2026
Nissan Pathfinder
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 39 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Nissan Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 25 mpg | 26 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg | 25 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 28 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,450 | $2,350 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 356 g/mi | 342 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI | SIDI, 3.5, 2.5 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S8) | Automatic (S9), Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2022–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 20 | 39 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Nissan Pathfinder dimensions and size
The Nissan Pathfinder is 1.6 inches longer than the Hyundai Santa Cruz on a wheelbase 4.3 inches shorter, and 377 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Cruz (2025) | Nissan Pathfinder (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7 in | 197.2 in | 1.6 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 75.2 in | 78 in | 2.8 in |
| Height | 66.5 in | 70.9 in | 4.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 118.5 in | 114.2 in | 4.3 in |
| Curb weight | 4,101 lbs | 4,478 lbs | 377 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Nissan Pathfinder: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Nissan Pathfinder burns about $2,350 of fuel annually against $2,450 for the Hyundai Santa Cruz. That $100 yearly gap compounds to roughly $500 over five years and $800 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Nissan Pathfinder is the stronger commuter at 25 mpg city, while the Hyundai Santa Cruz pulls ahead on the interstate at 30 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Hyundai Santa Cruz is recorded with 1 distinct engine configuration (SIDI & PFI), the Nissan Pathfinder with 3 (SIDI, 3.5, 2.5). Across 20 recorded Hyundai Santa Cruz configurations and 39 for the Nissan Pathfinder, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Hyundai Santa Cruz is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Nissan Pathfinder with 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Nissan Pathfinder emits 342 g/mile of CO2 versus 356 g/mile for the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Santa Cruz vs Pathfinder: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Nissan Pathfinder?
The Nissan Pathfinder is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Hyundai Santa Cruz, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Nissan Pathfinder runs about $2,350 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,450 for the Hyundai Santa Cruz — a difference of roughly $100 per year.
What engines do the Santa Cruz and Pathfinder offer?
Hyundai Santa Cruz: SIDI & PFI. Nissan Pathfinder: SIDI, 3.5, 2.5.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Nissan Pathfinder as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: hyundai-santa-cruz-vs-nissan-pathfinder