VS
At a Glance
Power
175 kW
179 kW
Torque
367 Nm
239+e Nm
Fuel
7.5 l/100km
5.0 combined l/100km
Towing
1650 Kg
500 Kg
0-100 km/h
9.5 s
7.7 s
Engine
1598 cc
2494 cc
Choosing between the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Lexus NX is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Hyundai Santa Fe delivers 175 kW while the Lexus NX produces 179 kW. On fuel, the Santa Fe returns 7.5 l/100km while the NX uses 5.0 combined l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 249 900 for the Santa Fe and R1 063 600 for the NX. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
175 kW
179 kW
Torque
367 Nm
239+e Nm
0-100 kph
9.5 s
7.7 s
Top Speed
190 Km/h
200 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1598 cc
2494 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
—
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.5 l/100km
5.0 combined l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
67 l
55 l
CO2 Emissions
166 g/km
114 combined g/km
Dimensions
Length
4830 mm
4660 mm
Width
1900 mm
1865 mm
Height
1770 mm
1660 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance
177 mm
185 mm
Kerb Weight
1980 Kg
1790-1870 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
5
Load Volume
413-1148-2253 l
520 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1650 Kg
500 Kg
Load Capacity
695 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 7 drivetrain / 8 year hybrid
7 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 200000 drivetrain / 160
105000 vehicle / 195000 hybrid battery K
Service Plan
✓ Standard
—
Service Plan Years
6
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Lexus NX
3 / 4 categories
Performance
NX
Fuel Economy
NX
Value
NX
Practicality
Santa Fe
Pros & Cons
Hyundai Santa Fe
Higher towing capacity (1650 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (7.5 l/100km)
Less power than rival (175 kW vs 179 kW)
Higher starting price
Lexus NX
More powerful engine (179 kW)
Better fuel economy (5.0 combined l/100km)
Lower starting price (R1 063 600)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (7.7 ss)
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Santa Fe or NX?
The Santa Fe uses 7.5 l/100km and the NX uses 5.0 combined l/100km on the combined cycle. The NX is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Santa Fe or NX?
The Santa Fe produces 175 kW and 367 Nm of torque while the NX delivers 179 kW and 239+e Nm of torque. The NX is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Santa Fe and NX?
The Santa Fe starts from R1 249 900 and the NX from R1 063 600. The NX is cheaper by R186 300 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Santa Fe or NX?
The Santa Fe has a braked towing capacity of 1650 Kg and the NX can tow 500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Santa Fe or the NX?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.