2026 Hyundai SANTA FE vs 2026 Honda Passport in Grand Island, NE

2026 Hyundai SANTA FE vs 2026 Honda Passport in Grand Island, NE

2026 Hyundai SANTA FE vs 2026 Honda Passport in Grand Island, NE View Inventory

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Honda Passport

When you compare the 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE vs 2026 Honda Passport, two different philosophies emerge. Both are midsize SUVs with strong capability, but SANTA FE leans into family-first versatility, cutting-edge driver assistance, and a feature set that makes everyday life easier in Grand Island, NE. Passport is a capable two-row adventure SUV, yet it omits several smart technologies and the added seating flexibility that matter to a lot of local households. Hyundai equips the SANTA FE with available three-row seating, an available hybrid powertrain, advanced Highway Driving Assist options, and upgrades like a Full-Display Digital Rearview Mirror and Remote Smart Parking Assist that you typically see in luxury segments. On top of that, SANTA FE offers HTRAC All Wheel Drive and up to 4,500 pounds of available towing, meeting needs from weekday commuting to weekend getaways along US-281. We built this comparison to be practical, grounded in how drivers live and travel in Grand Island, NE—space for people and gear, confident traction in crosswinds or on gravel, and technology that reduces stress on long stretches of I-80.

Feature 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE 2026 Honda Passport
Three-row seating Yes No
Hybrid powertrain available Yes No
HTRAC All Wheel Drive available Yes Yes
4,500-lb towing capacity available Yes Yes
Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) Yes No
Blind-Spot View Monitor (camera feed) Yes No
Full-Display Digital Rearview Mirror Yes No
Dual wireless device charging Yes No
Highway Driving Assist (HDA/HDA 2) Yes No
Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates Yes No

Exterior - Hyundai Dealer serving Grand Island, NE

Design tells the story here. SANTA FE’s long, bold profile and “H” signature LED lighting front and rear create a high-visibility, instantly recognizable presence. Practicality is baked into the exterior—an available C-pillar assist handle helps you reach roof cargo more easily, and the Hands-free Smart Liftgate with Auto Open means fewer juggling acts when loading ball gear or groceries. Hyundai’s trim strategy lets you tailor the look and capability: XRT adds all-terrain tires, extra ground clearance, and rugged accents; Calligraphy elevates presence with 21-inch alloy wheels and upscale detailing. Passport carries a square-shouldered, tough stance, and TrailSport variants bring off-road-oriented cues. Still, Hyundai layers in functional everyday technology that pays dividends in parking lots or tight alleys—available Surround View Monitor provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye perspective on Limited and Calligraphy, and Remote Smart Parking Assist can move the vehicle into or out of a space while you stand outside. Those are the kinds of stress-reducers that matter when fitting into angled spots near downtown or at busy venues around Hastings and St. Paul.

Grand Island, NE - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe's Exterior

Interior - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe in Grand Island, NE

SANTA FE’s cabin is both spacious and smart, centering on family-friendly features that simplify daily life. Three rows are standard, with available power-reclining second-row captain’s chairs for easy access to the third row—something the two-row Passport can’t match. The Hyundai’s wide, horizontal dash design frames an available 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster, presenting navigation, media, and Hyundai SmartSense information clearly. Available dual wireless device charging keeps two phones powered without shuffling cords, and the front-and-back-opening center console is an unusually helpful touch when you’re managing car seats or a full load of passengers. The available Full-Display Digital Rearview Mirror uses a camera in the rear spoiler to provide a live, unobstructed view behind you, particularly useful when the cargo area is stacked to the ceiling for a weekend at the Stuhr Museum event grounds. Bluelink+ remote features come included, so you can remotely start, lock, or precondition the vehicle before heading across town. Passport’s interior is rugged and well-made, but it lacks the third row and misses upscale touches such as SANTA FE’s digital rearview mirror and dual wireless charging that streamline busy mornings in Grand Island, NE.

Grand Island, NE - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe's Interior
Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda Passport Mechanical Specs

Under the skin, both SUVs are engineered for confidence, yet Hyundai offers a broader toolbox for mixed driving in and around Grand Island, NE. SANTA FE’s available HTRAC All Wheel Drive continually optimizes torque distribution for changing traction—handy when gusty crosswinds meet a dusted gravel road. Hyundai’s tuning prioritizes stability and predictability on long highway stretches, while the XRT trim’s increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires deliver extra bite on unimproved roads near the Platte River access points. Towing confidence is baked in, with up to 4,500 pounds available when properly equipped. On the braking and chassis side, SANTA FE maintains a composed ride even when fully loaded with three rows of passengers, and the steering calibration feels settled at interstate speeds, which is essential for longer commutes and family trips. Passport brings an off-road-tuned suspension on select trims and the second-generation i-VTM4 AWD system, which is very capable off pavement. Yet Hyundai augments its mechanical grip with sophisticated parking and visibility technology that you’ll use every single day in Grand Island, NE—Surround View Monitor, a Full-Display Digital Rearview Mirror, and Remote Smart Parking Assist—to make both maneuvering and towing more approachable for a wide range of drivers.

Grand Island, NE - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe's Mechanical
Powertrain - Hyundai Dealership in Grand Island, NE

SANTA FE gives you a choice of two compelling powertrains. The 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder makes a robust 277 hp, moving the three-row SUV with ease and supporting up to 4,500 pounds of towing on the XRT. For drivers seeking balanced performance with fewer stops at the pump, the SANTA FE Hybrid pairs a 1.6L turbocharged engine with electric assistance for a combined 231 hp and smooth, responsive acceleration—ideal for frequent errand loops, school drop-offs, or highway runs to regional tournaments. Hyundai’s hybrid doesn’t ask you to plug in; you just drive. Passport, by comparison, focuses on a single gas powertrain and does not offer a hybrid option. That’s a key difference for families who want strong torque without giving up on long-term efficiency benefits. Both SUVs provide capable AWD systems—SANTA FE with available HTRAC All Wheel Drive and Passport with i-VTM4—but Hyundai’s broader powertrain menu means you can tailor the vehicle to your driving style. Whether you value the punch of the 2.5T for towing toys out toward state recreation areas or the hybrid’s smoothness for everyday drives, SANTA FE meets you where you are.

Safety - Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda Passport

Hyundai SmartSense is comprehensive and thoughtfully presented, and the 2025-26 SANTA FE has been recognized as a 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ (for vehicles built after November 2024). Every SANTA FE includes Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and more. Step up to Limited and Calligraphy for Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Highway Driving Assist is standard on XRT and Limited, while Highway Driving Assist 2 is standard on Calligraphy, helping center the vehicle and even assisting with lane changes. Families will also appreciate Safe Exit Assist and Advanced Rear Occupant Alert on most trims. Passport equips Honda Sensing, so you get core features like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, and TrailWatch is available for low-speed off-road views. However, the Hyundai makes advanced assistance easier to use on daily routes thanks to its wide-screen interface, camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor, and the available Full-Display Digital Rearview Mirror—confidence boosters that come in handy during night drives or when visibility is compromised by passengers and cargo.

Why Drivers in Grand Island, NE Choose the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

  • Performance and capability: Available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, robust 2.5L Turbo power, and up to 4,500-lb towing deliver everyday strength for gravel roads, crosswinds, and boat ramps.
  • Comfort and technology: Three rows with available captain’s chairs, available dual wireless device charging, and Highway Driving Assist options make long stretches of US-281 feel shorter.
  • Ownership experience: Bluelink+ remote features and OTA updates help keep systems current and daily routines effortless for families and commuters alike.

Our recommendation: Choose SANTA FE for its three-row versatility, advanced driver-assistance options, and everyday usability that simply fits life across the Grand Island area.

Request more 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe information

In the 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE vs 2026 Honda Passport matchup, both SUVs earn points for confident traction and rugged appeal. Passport’s two-row layout and adventure-inspired trims are appealing if you prioritize off-pavement weekends over passenger flexibility. Yet for most households in Grand Island, NE, SANTA FE’s advantages line up with real daily needs—standard three-row seating, available hybrid, available Highway Driving Assist, and upscale convenience tech like the Full-Display Digital Rearview Mirror and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Those are the features you use Monday through Sunday, from the morning school loop to Saturday tournaments, to tight parking at local venues. Hyundai of Grand Island is here to help you compare trims and configure an interior that makes sense for your crew. Visit us to explore how SANTA FE’s visibility tech, safety innovations, and HTRAC All Wheel Drive work together on our local roads. When it comes to capability and comfort that meet the moment—in Grand Island, NE—SANTA FE is the smarter long-term pick for families and explorers alike, and our team at Hyundai of Grand Island is ready to get you set up for a confident test drive.

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For In-Transit inventory, any date of arrival is estimated. The actual date of delivery may vary due to circumstances beyond Hyundai and the dealer’s control. Please contact your local Hyundai dealer for availability details. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.