Five Reasons to Choose the 2025 Nissan Murano over the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Shopping for the ideal SUV can sometimes feel difficult. The SUV segment is by far the most popular among drivers, and every year, there are more makes and models to choose from. Finding one that offers exceptional fuel economy, comfort, connectivity, and, above all, safety features might appear to be a daunting task. However, the midsize Nissan Murano and Hyundai Santa Fe are immensely popular SUVs among drivers because they do well in all these areas.

In the vehicle segment where competition is strongest, it takes a lot to stand out and be regarded as the best. Still, this is precisely what Nissan has accomplished. Today, we’re examining how the Nissan Murano outshines the Hyundai Santa Fe. In this SUV showdown, it’s the 2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. We’ll examine how the Murano provides better performance, fuel economy, safety features, and comfort. Let’s begin.

Reason #1: Ideal Performance for the Masses

Many drivers look at performance first when choosing an SUV. Family-oriented drivers and city commuters tend to be the most common buyers of SUVs, and agile performance and favorable fuel economy are both features that they favor. The Murano and Santa Fe offer economical powertrains for conservative fuel consumption.

The Murano and Santa Fe are both equipped with turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The Murano has a 2.0L engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the Santa Fe has a 2.5L fitted with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. FWD is standard on both, with available AWD. By all accounts, the Santa Fe’s handling is inconsistent. Meanwhile, the Murano is better at being nimble and agile, especially in the city where stop-and-go traffic patterns are commonplace.

Another considerable advantage that the Murano has over the Santa Fe is its EPA fuel economy rankings. Both FWD and AWD versions of Nissan’s SUV achieve 21 MPG in the city, as opposed to the 20 MPG in the city achieved by the Santa Fe. Anyone who commutes within the city limits will attest that every mile counts.

Reason #2: A More Intuitive Infotainment Experience

The modern driver expects more from their SUV. Sure, aspects like fuel economy, seating, and storage are all things drivers find important, but staying connected in an ever-increasing digital world is just as crucial. Drivers stay connected through their vehicle’s infotainment screen. The Murano and Santa Fe both have a 12.3-inch screen, but their advantages differ.

While both screens provide wireless connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Murano offers better connectivity features. The Murano comes with standard wireless phone charging and is available with Google built-in. Drivers can access their favorite music, maps, and more, all thanks to the world’s leading search engine. The Murano also provides Siri and Alexa voice commands.

A key difference drivers will see with the Murano is that it provides more standard items than the Santa Fe. These features that enhance connectivity aren’t the only time we’ll see Nissan’s determination to give drivers more for their money.

Reason #3: A More Comfortable Interior

Exceptional performance and connectivity are both items to consider when purchasing a new SUV. However, when you step into any vehicle for a test drive, you immediately notice how comfortable or uncomfortable you feel. A refined and comfortable driving experience makes all the difference.

The 2025 Nissan Murano’s guiding principle is offering drivers luxury for less. Standard on all trims, you will find heated seats, leatherette upholstery, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and a six-way power passenger seat. All trims also have dual-zone climate control to ensure comfort for everyone.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has some comfort features, but they’re hidden behind pricier trim levels. The base trim is not available with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, or premium upholstery. There are five trims of the 2025 Santa Fe altogether, and to have a more refined experience behind the wheel, you will have to purchase one of the more expensive options.

In addition to the creature comforts that the Murano offers compared to the Santa Fe, it also has a competitive edge regarding storage space. The Santa Fe has 14.6 cu.ft. of cargo room when all seats are occupied, which is less than the trunk size of the average four-door sedan. The Murano far surpasses this with 32.9 cu.ft. in the back. With plenty of room for carry-on items and passengers, the Murano surpasses the Santa Fe in practicality and comfort.

Reason #4: A Much Safer Choice Than the Competition

So far, we’ve seen the Nissan Murano outperform the Hyundai Santa Fe in performance, comfort, and connectivity. These three attributes are all part and parcel of having an exceptional SUV. However, they pale in comparison to the feeling that comes from owning a safe vehicle with features that can provide additional protection and oversight.

Every year, the NHTSA and IIHS perform extensive collision testing to help consumers stay informed regarding which vehicles are safest in the event of an accident. The 2025 Nissan Murano not only received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but was also named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. In comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe only received a four-star overall safety rating and fell short in front collision and rollover tests. These are important factors to consider when making a purchase.

Both SUVs come with many standard safety features that can be found across all trims. These include forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure mitigation technologies, and more. However, Nissan’s standard safety features are far more comprehensive and include intelligent lane intervention, rear automatic braking, and blind spot warning and intervention. The Nissan Murano also offers a hands-on, semi-autonomous driving technology, which isn’t found on the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Across the board, the Nissan Murano offers more for your money and luxury for less. Safety should never come with a hefty price tag. Hyundai obscures its more advanced technologies behind upper trims, while Nissan offers more as standard. The collision testing conducted by the NHTSA and IIHS proves that the recent redesign of the Nissan Murano was made with the safety of its drivers in mind.

Reason #5: Style to Match Its Substance

The final reason the Nissan Murano is far better than the Hyundai Santa Fe is its bold new exterior design. No one wants to drive an eyesore. The sleek and aerodynamic Nissan Murano exhibits a luxurious style that matches its refined interior and technologies. The same can’t be said for the Hyundai Santa Fe, which has a box-shaped appearance that feels outdated. If you’re in the market for an SUV with style and substance, there’s no denying that the 2025 Nissan Murano has plenty to go around.

Luxury for Less: The 2025 Nissan Murano

Drivers want an SUV that checks all the boxes and offers them more than the competition. The 2025 Nissan Murano provides an economical powertrain and nimble handling ideal for city drivers. Behind the wheel, you’ll find a comfortable interior, with Nissan’s knack for technological innovation on full display. The Murano will give you a much more refined ride than the Hyundai Santa Fe, and with more standard safety features, you can have the peace of mind you’ve always wanted. Drivers looking to enjoy the 2025 Murano and its world of advantages can find what they are searching for by shopping here at Illini Nissan.