Hyundai Santa Fe vs Ford Explorer Hamburg PA

Sports utility vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Explorer have evolved over time, adjusting to the modern era while maintaining their status as rugged, safe, powerful modes of transportation. Both SUVs have earned their praise, but one of them offers a few extra benefits that gives it the edge over its contemporary.

Freedom Hyundai is ready for residents around Hamburg, Allentown, and Reading, PA, to come check out our lineup of SUVs, and perhaps even take one out for a spin around the block. Before you do that, read this Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Ford Explorer comparison piece, and then from there you can find out which one fits your needs the best!

Santa Fe vs Explorer: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

When you look at the outer size dimensions, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is definitely smaller and much lighter than the 2021 Ford Explorer:

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe	2021 Ford Explorer
Body Height
66.3 inches	69.9 inches
Body Length
188.4 inches	198.8 inches
Body Width (without mirrors)
74.8 inches	78.9 inches
Curb Weight
3,649 lbs.	4,345 lbs.

The Santa Fe model’s smaller, lighter stature means you’ll find empty parking spaces with enough room a lot easier to come by. The Explorer, which has a longer, taller, heavier frame, will require a bigger parking spot, which may take longer to find than a smaller parking spot.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Ford Explorer: Cruising Down the Street

The cruise control feature is one that some drivers really look forward to engaging once they get behind the wheel. The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offers Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go technology, which helps you maintain a healthy distance from the car ahead of you by adjusting speed and bringing it to a stop.

The Smart Cruise Control feature is a great way to let the car do some of the work while you’re stuck in traffic or rolling down the highway, and it comes standard on every trim of the Santa Fe; the Explorer doesn’t offer this exact feature.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Ford Explorer: Interior Space & Comfort

Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Comfort If you think about it, your car is an extension of your home and your office. You have those spaces set up nice and neatly, so that you can comfortably stretch your legs. It’s normal to want that sense of coziness while sitting inside your car, too.

The Hyundai Santa Fe makes vehicle occupants feel at home by offering 44.1 inches of relaxing legroom space in the front and 41.7 inches in the back. The Ford Explorer falls just short of these numbers, mustering up 43 inches and 39 inches of front and backseat legroom, respectively.

When it comes to comfort, the Santa Fe also offers a driver’s seat leg cushion extension that gives the back of your legs extra cushioning while you’re driving. This is a comfort option that the Explorer does not offer.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Ford Explorer: Final Call

It’s a close call, but when it comes to the Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Ford Explorer discussion, the Santa Fe gets the nod due to its more compact stature combined with amenities like Smart Cruise Control and more legroom. Drivers around Hamburg, Allentown, and Reading, Pennsylvania, are invited to stop by Freedom Hyundai and take either one of these SUVs out for a test drive!