2026 Nissan Murano vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

2026 Nissan Murano vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

Family cars come in all shapes and sizes, and only a select few make the cut for talented parents in Florida who juggle errands full-time. Is it better to go with a more spacious SUV packed with utility, or to try and squeeze in as many people as you can while disregarding space? Before you decide, check out the amazing perks between the new 2026 Nissan Murano and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe! Browse new Nissan SUVs near you when you swing by Maus Nissan of North Tampa.

2026 Nissan Murano vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

Nissan knows how to make a mean SUV. Everyone knows this, and more often than not, that’s the kind of ride that lasts. The 2026 Nissan Murano is a popular choice in North Tampa for creating a habitable space that comes in handy for any situation that comes your way. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Santa Fe bites off more than it can chew by offering more promises than it can fulfill.

Performance

Getting around North Tampa reliably can take a lot, especially when you’re faced with a busy schedule. The latest 2026 Murano grants what you need to conquer every day of the week with 241 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 9-speed automatic transmission system. Nissan’s special VC-Turbo engine is designed to adapt to your driving habits and road conditions for resulting power and fuel efficiency that feels top-notch! Get up to 27 highway miles per gallon and tow up to 1,500 pounds, and do it all with ease when you opt for the available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

Hyundai’s new Santa Fe model pushes 277 horsepower, but that’s on your basic, average-Joe engine setup. There’s just something about Nissan ingenuity that’s just too good to pass up, and competing transmission is what tipped the scales for us. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe comes equipped with an 8-speed automatic, while the 2026 Nissan Murano one-ups their competitor with a 9-speed auto. And yes, you’ll notice the difference.

Safety Features

It’s 2026, so you know that you’ll be getting ProPILOT Assist and Safety Shield 360 to go with your shiny new Nissan Murano! That’s why we’ll be highlighting the exciting new add-ons that make your family-safe SUV even more secure every time you leave home and hit up North Tampa:

• Intelligent Forward Collision Warning – Automatically monitor up to two cars ahead for proactive safety.
• Intelligent Lane Intervention – Get back on track with automatic braking and steering when you cross the line.
• Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention – Watch as your Murano maneuvers to prevent accidents in your blind spot.
• HD Enhanced Intelligent Around View Monitor – Get an overhead 360-degree shot of the vehicle for heightened awareness.
• Invisible Hood View – Make sure the coast is clear before you head out!
• ProPILOT Assist 2.1 – Tap into hands-free driving assistance on supported roads.

Outside of the standard Hyundai SmartSense package, the latest Santa Fe model doesn’t offer as much in terms of available add-ons. The Blind-Spot View Monitor remains a popular upgrade, although the Murano goes the extra mile with gentle intervention when necessary. A full display rearview mirror is another in-demand feature by Hyundai, but you’ll have a similar experience in any other vehicle just by glancing down at the center screen.

Interior

The Murano is loved for its usability in everyday life, and that motto is even truer in this latest model. The 2026 Nissan Murano offers North Tampa families the ultimate experience, encompassing comfort and convenience through features like quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seats, 10 premium Bose speakers, a Motion Activated Liftgate, and plenty more. Murano owners especially love the 12.3-inch dual-screen setup that comes with every model. No need to scale up!

For many, the decision between the Murano and Santa Fe comes down to having 5 seats or 7. But keep in mind that these SUVs are about the same size, meaning that opting for a couple more chairs will come at the cost of some serious elbow room. New Hyundai Santa Fe owners might also be disappointed after finding out that a 12.3-inch digital driver display comes at an added cost, especially knowing that the Murano offers it as standard.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re going on a long road trip or simply running laps around North Tampa as per your regular routine, the new 2026 Nissan Murano is shaping up to be the more practical choice over the Hyundai Santa Fe, which still has plenty of room for improvement.

Take the 2026 Nissan Murano for a Test Drive!

Your family car could use an upgrade. See the SUV that every parent and child wants when you test drive the new 2026 Nissan Murano at Maus Nissan of North Tampa! Call (813) 800-6287 to learn more about our selection of family-friendly Nissan SUVs near you.