2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Honda Passport
The 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE vs 2026 Honda Passport comparison is especially useful for shoppers who want capability without giving up everyday comfort, passenger flexibility, and modern technology. The Passport is a rugged two-row SUV with standard all-wheel-drive capability and a strong adventure personality, but the SANTA FE brings a more complete family-focused package. With three rows, available hybrid efficiency, bold styling, and a long list of advanced convenience features, SANTA FE feels tailored for daily life in Bel Air, MD, from school drop-offs near downtown to weekend drives across Harford County. At Jones Bel Air Hyundai, we are proud to offer an SUV that blends refinement and practicality in a way that fits more situations. The SANTA FE also benefits from Hyundai advantages such as Bluelink+, available Hyundai Digital Key 2 Premium, and America’s Best Warranty. For many drivers, that makes it the more thoughtful long-term choice.
| Feature | 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE | 2026 Honda Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Three-row seating | Yes | No |
| Available hybrid powertrain | Yes | No |
| Available HTRAC All Wheel Drive | Yes | No |
| Available Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) | Yes | No |
| Available dual wireless device charging | Yes | No |
| Available full-display digital rearview mirror | Yes | No |
| Available Hyundai Digital Key 2 Premium | Yes | No |
| Available Nappa leather seating surfaces | Yes | No |
| 2025-26 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ recognition | Yes | No |
| 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty | Yes | No |
Exterior - Hyundai Dealer serving Bel Air, MD
The SANTA FE exterior stands apart with a confident, squared-off design that feels both modern and purposeful. Hyundai’s “H” motif signature LED lighting appears at the front and rear, giving the SUV a distinctive identity after dark and a sharp presence during the day. Its long, tall profile is not just about style; it also supports the roomy cabin and useful cargo flexibility that many families want. Available features such as a hands-free smart liftgate with auto open make loading groceries, sports bags, and luggage easier when your hands are full. The available C-pillar assist handle is another practical design choice, helping make roof-area access more manageable when loading gear. The Passport takes a more traditional rugged approach, especially in TrailSport form, and that will appeal to some off-road-focused shoppers. Still, the SANTA FE balances adventure styling with upscale detailing in a way that feels more versatile around neighborhoods, shopping centers, offices, and family destinations. For drivers in Bel Air, MD, that balance matters every day.
Interior - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe in Bel Air, MD
The 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE makes its strongest case inside, where its three-row layout gives families more flexibility than the two-row Passport. Whether you need space for kids, visiting relatives, teammates, or extra cargo, the SANTA FE adapts with a cabin designed around real life. Available power-reclining second-row captain’s chairs create a more open, premium feel, while available Nappa leather seating surfaces and H-Tex® seating surfaces on select trims bring comfort that feels elevated without being overly complicated. The front-and-back-opening center console is a smart touch because it gives more passengers access to everyday items, not just the front row. Technology is also a major advantage. An available 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster pairs beautifully with the high-resolution 12.3-inch touchscreen, giving navigation, entertainment, and vehicle information a clean, modern presentation. Available dual wireless device charging is another family-friendly detail, especially when multiple passengers need a quick battery boost. The Passport has a roomy two-row cabin, but the SANTA FE simply offers more seating versatility and more thoughtful convenience for busy households.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda Passport Mechanical Specs
The 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE is engineered to feel composed, capable, and comfortable across a wide range of driving conditions. Available HTRAC All Wheel Drive helps distribute power for added confidence when roads are wet, uneven, or winding, making it a strong fit for commutes that include local roads, I-95, and weekend routes toward Towson and Owings Mills. The XRT trim adds a more rugged edge with HTRAC All Wheel Drive, 18-inch dark alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, additional ground clearance, and an impressive 4,500-lb. towing capacity. That combination gives shoppers an SUV that can handle light adventure needs while still feeling refined in daily use. The Passport also emphasizes trail capability with its i-VTM4® AWD system and available off-road tuned suspension, but it does not offer the same three-row practicality or available hybrid alternative. SANTA FE’s mechanical appeal comes from balance: it is easy to drive, thoughtfully equipped, and ready for the type of mixed-use driving most families actually do.
Powertrain - Hyundai Dealership in Bel Air, MD
SANTA FE gives shoppers meaningful powertrain choice, which is a clear advantage over the Passport. Gas models use a 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower, giving the SUV strong response for highway merging, passing, and carrying passengers. For drivers who want greater efficiency without moving away from the SANTA FE’s family-friendly design, the SANTA FE Hybrid offers a 1.6L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder Hybrid engine with 231 combined horsepower. That hybrid availability is a major point in Hyundai’s favor because Honda does not offer a hybrid Passport. The Passport counters with its own strong V6 personality and standard all-wheel-drive orientation, which may appeal to shoppers focused mainly on rugged two-row performance. However, many consumers want a vehicle that can handle daily errands, family trips, commuting, and occasional towing without feeling limited to one mission. With gas and hybrid choices, plus available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, SANTA FE gives you more ways to match your SUV to your lifestyle.
Safety - Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda Passport
Safety technology is another area where SANTA FE brings exceptional depth. The 2025-26 SANTA FE was awarded a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for vehicles built after November 2024, reflecting Hyundai’s commitment to occupant protection and crash-avoidance engineering. Hyundai SmartSense features include standard Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Safe Exit Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection is especially valuable in Bel Air, MD, where local intersections, crosswalks, and neighborhood traffic require steady awareness. Available systems further strengthen the package, including Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist - Reverse, Highway Driving Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Passport includes Honda Sensing® and a capable safety suite, but SANTA FE’s available camera views, parking support, and family-focused alerts help make daily driving feel easier and more reassuring.
Why Drivers in Bel Air, MD Choose the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
At Jones Bel Air Hyundai, we see SANTA FE as a smart match for local shoppers who want capability, comfort, and long-term confidence in one SUV.
- Performance: Available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, 277 horsepower on gas models, and available hybrid power give drivers more ways to match local commutes and weekend plans.
- Comfort and technology: Three rows, available dual wireless device charging, Bluelink+, and available 12.3-inch digital displays make the cabin easy to enjoy.
- Ownership experience: America’s Best Warranty and Hyundai’s thoughtful convenience features support confidence well beyond the first test drive.
For shoppers comparing space, features, and everyday usability, we recommend taking a closer look at SANTA FE with our team.
Request more 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe information
The 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE vs 2026 Honda Passport matchup comes down to what you want your SUV to do every day. The Passport is rugged and capable, but its two-row layout and lack of a hybrid option narrow its appeal for shoppers who need more flexibility. SANTA FE offers three-row seating, available hybrid efficiency, available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, distinctive “H” motif lighting, and a modern cabin with advanced available technology. It also adds important ownership advantages, including a 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty and 5-Year/Unlimited Miles 24-hour Roadside Assistance. Those benefits matter when you are choosing a vehicle for family, commuting, travel, and everyday errands. At Jones Bel Air Hyundai, our goal is to help you find an SUV that feels right now and continues to make sense years from now. For many shoppers, the SANTA FE is the more complete, more flexible, and more rewarding choice.
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All advertised sale prices exclude tax, title, registration, state tag fees, and an $800 dealer processing charge (not required by law). Dealer Installed Options may affect final price.
Certain manufacturer rebates and finance incentives may not be combined with other offers and may require Maryland titling and qualification. All finance offers are subject to approved credit and lender guidelines.
While we strive to ensure the accuracy of all pricing and information displayed on our website, errors may occur. We reserve the right to correct any pricing inaccuracies or typographical errors at any time without prior notice. Please contact our sales team at 443-686-7190 to confirm availability, pricing details, and eligibility requirements.
Certain manufacturer rebates and finance incentives may not be combined with other offers and may require Maryland titling and qualification. All finance offers are subject to approved credit and lender guidelines.
While we strive to ensure the accuracy of all pricing and information displayed on our website, errors may occur. We reserve the right to correct any pricing inaccuracies or typographical errors at any time without prior notice. Please contact our sales team at 443-686-7190 to confirm availability, pricing details, and eligibility requirements.
