Midsize SUVs are fantastic for those who want to upsize from a subcompact or compact SUV due to additional space requirements. Conversely, they are also popular downsizing options for owners of full-size SUVs due to their smaller road footprint and easier driving characteristics. There are a lot of choices in the market, and the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2023 Mazda CX-9 are great options.
The 2023 Santa Fe is based on the third generation of Hyundai’s midsize stalwart, which received a facelift in 2021. It’s assembled in Montgomery, AL. The 2023 Mazda CX-9’s roots are a bit older, as the model debuted in 2016 and has soldiered on ever since. It’s due to be replaced soon, according to reports.
Which one of the two is likely the best midsize SUV? Let’s do a Santa Fe vs. CX-9 matchup and compare their interior, performance, and handling characteristics. If you'd like to take a closer look at a 2023 Santa Fe, contact the sales staff at Bob Brady Hyundai in Decatur, IL.
The 2023 Santa Fe, while a tad smaller than the 2023 CX-9, offers more head, leg, and shoulder room for up to five adults to travel comfortably. This is because even though the 2023 CX-9 has a larger 135-cubic-foot passenger cabin, it's a six-seater with three rows of seating. Most midsize SUV users don't need a third row, and the 2023 Santa Fe offers a spacious 36.4 cubic foot trunk instead. Meanwhile, if you have all rows deployed in the 2023 CX-9, you’ll have to make do with a measly 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space.
Furthermore, the 2023 Santa Fe’s interior looks nicer than the 2023 CX-9's. It offers a variety of options that include ventilated front seats, a digital instrument cluster, heated rear seats, and a heads-up display. You can have heated seats on the 2023 CX-9 but no digital instrument cluster.
Every 2023 CX-9 comes with a 10.3-inch touch screen, the same size as the unit on higher trims of the 2023 Santa Fe. Lower variants still pack an impressively sharp 8-inch unit. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ support is standard on both vehicles. A wireless phone charger and 12-speaker 630-watt sound system upgrade are also offered on the 2023 Santa Fe.
The 2023 Santa Fe offers four powertrain choices. At the entry point is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 191 horsepower. The next level is the same engine with turbocharging, resulting in a brawny 277 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is a front-wheel drive. An all-wheel-drive system is optional.
Next, there are two hybrid variants for the 2023 Santa Fe. The regular hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter turbo four with an electric motor for a system total of 226 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid variant sees a beefier electric motor pumping things up to 260 horsepower. Both hybrid variants come with the all-wheel-drive system as standard fitment.
The 2023 CX-9 comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that develops 227 horsepower and an older six-speed automatic. It's offered in front-wheel-drive as standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system if desired.
The 2023 Santa Fe and 2023 CX-9 can tow up to 3,500 pounds depending on trim and specification.
The 2023 Santa Fe and the 2023 CX-9 come with standard forward collision detection with emergency braking, airbags, stability control, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, to name a few of an extensive list. The adaptive cruise control on the 2023 Santa Fe also offers full stop-go functionality.
There’s no denying that the 2023 CX-9’s Kodo design language has aged gracefully. However, the vehicle hasn't kept up with the times and is comprehensively beaten by the 2023 Santa Fe across all three of our evaluation criteria. That's why we recommend you swing by Bob Brady Hyundai in Decatur, IL, and test drive a 2023 Santa Fe today.
