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Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Santa Fe: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Honda CR-V is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,620 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (CR-V, 40 MPG combined), against $1,790 for the Hyundai Santa Fe (Santa Fe Hybrid, 36 MPG combined). That is $170 a year, or $850 over five years.

Both are classed as Small SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Honda CR-V

Lowest fuel cost configuration

CR-V

40 MPG
Combined
43 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,620

$10.80 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Hyundai Santa Fe

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Santa Fe Hybrid

36 MPG
Combined
37 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,790

$11.93 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

5 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Honda CR-V$1,620 a year · $10.80 per 100 mi
  • Hyundai Santa Fe$1,790 a year · $11.93 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$170

Honda CR-V costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$850

$170 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda CR-V Hyundai Santa Fe
Lowest-cost configuration CR-VSanta Fe Hybrid
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 40 MPG (better)36 MPG
City rating 43 MPG (better)37 MPG
Highway rating 36 MPG36 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,620/yr (better)$1,790/yr
Cost per 100 miles $10.80 (better)$11.93
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,620–$2,250$1,790–$3,100
Configurations in MY2026 65
EPA class Small SUVsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe
Powertrain Honda CR-V Hyundai Santa Fe
Gas 30 MPG · $2,150/yr CR-V 24 MPG · $2,760/yr Santa Fe
Hybrid 40 MPG · $1,620/yr CR-V 36 MPG · $1,790/yr Santa Fe Hybrid
Hydrogen 39 MPGe · no cost estimate CR-V e-FCEV Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Honda CR-V

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,620 vs $1,790
  • Higher combined rating: 40 MPG vs 36 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 43 MPG vs 37 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,150 vs $2,760
  • Offers hydrogen configurations in MY2026; the Hyundai Santa Fe does not

Hyundai Santa Fe

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Level on: highway rating (36 MPG)

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe
Model year Honda CR-V Hyundai Santa Fe
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,250 21–36 MPG $1,790–$3,100
2025 28–40 MPG $1,620–$2,310 22–36 MPG $1,830–$3,000
2024 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260 22–36 MPG $1,830–$3,000
2023 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260 24–34 MPG $1,530–$2,780
2022 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 24–34 MPG $1,530–$2,780
2021 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 24–34 MPG $1,920–$2,780
2020 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 22–25 MPG $2,660–$2,980
2019 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 19–25 MPG $2,660–$3,500
2018 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 19–24 MPG $2,770–$3,480
2017 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 19–24 MPG $2,770–$3,480
2016 27–29 MPG $2,280–$2,410 19–23 MPG $2,880–$3,480
2015 28–29 MPG $2,250–$2,320 19–23 MPG $2,880–$3,480
2014 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 19–23 MPG $2,880–$3,520
2013 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 20–24 MPG $2,720–$3,260
2012 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,060
2011 23–24 MPG $2,770–$2,840 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,060
2010 23–24 MPG $2,720–$2,840 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970
2009 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 19–20 MPG $3,270–$3,440
2008 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 19–20 MPG $3,270–$3,440
2007 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 19–21 MPG $3,110–$3,440
2006 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 17–20 MPG $3,270–$3,840
2005 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 17–20 MPG $3,270–$3,840
2004 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110 17–20 MPG $3,270–$3,840
2003 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110 17–20 MPG $3,270–$3,840
2002 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 18–20 MPG $3,270–$3,630
2001 21 MPG $3,110 18–21 MPG $3,110–$3,630

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Honda CR-V or the Hyundai Santa Fe?

The Honda CR-V is cheaper: about $1,620 a year against $1,790 for the Hyundai Santa Fe, a difference of $170 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Honda CR-V save over five years?

About $850 ($170 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Honda CR-V or the Hyundai Santa Fe?

The Honda CR-V is rated 40 MPG combined against 36 MPG for the Hyundai Santa Fe. City: 43 MPG vs 37 MPG. Highway: 36 MPG vs 36 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Honda CR-V and the Hyundai Santa Fe in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles