Off the line, the Santa Fe’s hybrid architecture feels almost telepathic: the transition from electric motor to petrol-engine boost is so smooth you barely notice the handover. Urban stop-and-go traffic becomes almost meditative, with regenerative braking refilling the battery pack at every red light. The Mazda, by contrast, requires a touch more coaxing—there’s a slight hesitation as the PHEV system decides whether to tap the battery or fire up the engine—but once both power sources sync, the CX-80 surges with a satisfying shove that rewards the right foot. And yes, its firmer suspension and sport-tuned chassis transmit more feedback (and some road harshness) into the cabin, making it feel more connected but also a bit choppy over broken pavement [3][2].

To lay it out clearly, here’s a quick spec comparison:

Despite the CX-80’s numbers advantage on paper, I found myself reaching for the Santa Fe’s key more often. Its lighter front end makes city on-ramps feel less intimidating and the power delivery so seamless that even my crankiest morning commute felt almost enjoyable. Have you ever noticed how a car that “just works” can almost melt away the stress of stop-start traffic? Meanwhile, the CX-80’s punch earns nods from enthusiasts who crave that extra shove, especially when overtaking on two-lane highways.

Ultimately, the Santa Fe edges ahead in practical efficiency. In mixed driving loops—where highways meet suburban streets—it averaged a genuine 44 mpg, slightly besting the CX-80’s 40 mpg equivalent. And while neither actually delivers its full claimed EV range outside the lab, these real-world figures still place the Hyundai a notch above when it comes to saving fuel. If you’re curious how manufacturers fine-tune these hybrid systems down to the last kilowatt, our deep dive into performance secrets uncovers the magic behind the numbers.

Room to Grow: Seating Configurations and Cargo Versatility

Managing three rows in any SUV can feel like choreographing a mini bus, but here both the Santa Fe and CX-80 aim to make it nearly effortless. Sliding, folding, and stowing seats has become a performance in its own right—and one I’ve play-acted on family road trips more times than I’d care to admit. The Santa Fe’s one-touch second-row fold and sliding bench feel positively electric in convenience: with a single press, the seat tumbles forward, creating space that kids can scramble through without turning the cabin into a gymnastics routine [4]. Mazda’s system, while still well executed, requires a firmer tug on the handle and a couple of nudges to settle the seat flat.

In practice, the CX-80’s second row delivers a nearly flat floor once stowed, but I noticed the Santa Fe offers a bit more lateral wiggle room—handy when buckling in three child seats side by side. Its sliding bench can slide back to give adults more legroom or forward to swallow mountain bikes and camping gear without arguing over who gets elbow room. Both SUVs vanish their third rows under the load floor, but Top Gear’s testers felt the Santa Fe’s back two seats felt roomier and had better head clearance for taller teens [3]. I tucked my daughter’s extra-tall booster seat back there on a recent trip, and she gave it two thumbs up—no complaints about her legs getting squashed.

As for cargo, 571 liters of capacity behind row two in the Santa Fe expands to over 1,700 liters with both rear rows down—that’s enough room for a double stroller, hockey bags, a folding canoe paddle, and still have space left for souvenirs. The Mazda clocks similar specs on paper but feels tighter at the tailgate, thanks to a slightly higher load lip and deeper wheel arches that pinch bulky boxes. I’ll admit, it’s tempting to tuck a kayak on those sleek roof rails, but I worried about clearance in parking garages; the Santa Fe’s more forgiving height took a lot of the stress out of grocery runs.

Little touches transform mere capacity into genuine family utility: underfloor bins hide muddy soccer boots, sturdy cargo hooks keep reusable shopping bags upright, and a handy luggage cover snaps securely into place so nothing spills forward during sudden stops. On a related note, if you’re weighing other contenders in the seven-seat category, our roundup of family-friendly EV SUVs explores how pure-electric rivals manage passenger and cargo needs without a drop of petrol.

Guardians of the Road: Safety Features and Driver-Assistance Systems

It’s one thing to talk about horsepower or cargo volume, but true peace of mind arrives when you realize these SUVs aren’t just metal boxes on wheels—they’re rolling fortresses loaded with sensors, airbags, and whirring cameras keeping vigil over every inch of tarmac. Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80 earned five-star ANCAP ratings thanks to reinforced passenger cells and advanced pedestrian protection [4]. In practical terms, that means you’re cocooned by high-strength steel, multiple airbags, and clever collision-avoidance systems tuned to spot both fellow vehicles and vulnerable road users—even at night.

I’ll never forget a rainy afternoon commute when a distracted driver drifted into my lane. The Santa Fe’s forward-collision warning screeched to life, then the smart brake support slammed on the anchors hard enough to peel screech marks from the asphalt—probably saved me a lot of money and a sore neck [3]. Its adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality felt like a silent co-pilot in bumper-to-bumper traffic, gently guiding me back into lane when I drifted. Mazda’s CX-80 fields eight airbags, a lane-centering system that subtly nudges you when your attention wanders, and night-time pedestrian detection which proved its worth in a recent demo video [4]. Both SUVs guard the blind spots with radar-thanks sensors and rear-cross-traffic alerts that chirp warnings if you attempt to back into danger.

Underneath all that tech, every system is calibrated to feel natural: the steering hardly trembles when the lane-keep steps in, and the surround-view camera stitches together a nearly seamless 360° image so you’re never guessing what lurks behind a hedge or around a corner. And the rear-occupant alert, a feature I once dismissed as overkill, has now caught me twice forgetting a coat or a backpack on the third row—simple but so, so useful for busy households. For a deeper look at hybrid safety performance in everyday conditions, check out our six-month real-world test of the Tucson hybrid here.

Modern Comforts: Infotainment, Connectivity, and Interior Luxury

Once you sink into either cabin, the world outside seems to pause. Hyundai outfits the Santa Fe with a 10.25-inch touchscreen that feels razor-sharp to the touch, paired with a digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster that you can configure to show navigation, eco data, or classic speedometer dials. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and an available 12-speaker Bose audio system fills every corner with a richness usually reserved for home theaters [1]. Mazda counters with its elegant Mazda Connect interface on a 10.25-inch display, favoring a tactile rotary controller so you never have to lift your eyes from the road—music, maps, calls, all a click away via a precisely weighted dial [2].

Connectivity extends beyond infotainment: the Santa Fe’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot can tether up to five devices, and the cabin boasts multiple USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and even a 12-volt outlet behind the second row—perfect for inflating air mattresses or charging a drone mid-trip. Mazda’s CX-80 offers a similar 4G hotspot, Bluetooth 5.1, and ambient lighting that shifts hue based on your drive mode or mood. I’ll admit, I sometimes switch the CX-80’s lighting to a soft blue just to feel like I’m commanding a starship rather than a crossover.

Material quality is surprisingly high on both. The Santa Fe’s dash and doors feature soft-touch panels with contrast stitching that looks more bespoke than mass-market, while Mazda’s interior leans into minimalist elegance with sweep-through wood trim and buttery leather. Both offer a panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with daylight, and rear passengers aren’t left wanting—dedicated climate controls, heated seats, and the option of dual-screen entertainment systems mean “Are we there yet?” becomes almost a forgotten refrain on lengthy hauls.

Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts

Choosing between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80 ultimately comes down to your priorities. If effortless efficiency, a whisper-quiet cabin, and pliant suspension top your list, the Santa Fe feels like a rolling sanctuary. Its hybrid powertrain transitions so seamlessly that you might forget there’s an engine under the hood, and that genuine 44 mpg in mixed driving will have a noticeable effect on your fuel bill [1]. Conversely, if you crave sharper steering feedback, more punch from the plug-in system, and a cabin that feels like a first-class lounge on wheels, the CX-80 delivers—though at the cost of a firmer ride over rough roads and a tad less real-world EV range [4].

Both SUVs bring comprehensive safety arsenals, complete with 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise, lane-keep assists, and robust airbag arrays. The Santa Fe’s third-row curtain airbags and blind-spot detection give it a slight edge in family peace of mind, while Mazda’s night-time pedestrian detection and lane-centering system earn kudos from tech-savvy drivers [2]. If you’re someone who rarely strays off-pavement, both will protect you well, but the Santa Fe feels a bit more compliant over unpredictable surfaces.

Cost of ownership also tilts toward Hyundai. With slightly better fuel economy and lower running costs, the Santa Fe proves kinder to your wallet over time. Mazda’s CX-80, though pricier, brings that refined interior ambiance and extra electric range to justify its premium—especially if you’ve got home charging locked down and want to exploit every EV-only mile. Either way, you’re getting a top-tier seven-seat family hauler; it’s just a matter of whether you prefer plush comfort or sportier verve.

In the end, I keep picturing my rainy commute scenario—when every safety assist and seamless power swap mattered most. That memory, more than any spec sheet, reminds me why so many families gravitate toward the Santa Fe’s blend of practicality and poise. Yet I can’t deny the lure of Mazda’s refined ride and extra EV promise. Ultimately, whichever you choose, you’re investing in one of the best big-family SUVs on the market today.

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