Compare the2025 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Atlas and the Santa Fe Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Santa Fe Hybrid’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (269 vs. 231) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

Both the Atlas and Santa Fe Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Atlas has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Atlas has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Santa Fe Hybrid (18.6 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Atlas, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Santa Fe Hybrid.

For better stopping power the Atlas’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The Atlas’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Fe Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The Atlas stops shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Santa Fe Hybrid (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Santa Fe Hybrid (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Atlas has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Santa Fe Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (117.3 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Santa Fe Hybrid.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The Atlas has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Santa Fe Hybrid (154 vs. 151).

The Atlas has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 3.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room, .6 inches more third row headroom, 3.7 inches more third row legroom, 2.4 inches more third row hip room and 1.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Santa Fe Hybrid.

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the Santa Fe Hybrid.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Atlas. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Atlas’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Atlas’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Santa Fe Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ standard KESSY Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas’ headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Santa Fe Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Atlas has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited/Calligraphy.

The Atlas SEL Premium R Line has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Santa Fe Hybrid.