2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Honda CR-V in Little Rock, AR

Choosing the Right SUV for Life in Central Arkansas

From daily commutes along I-30 to weekend drives toward Conway or Benton, SUVs in Little Rock need to balance comfort, power, and adaptability. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Honda CR-V both deliver modern technology and practical design, but they serve slightly different types of drivers.

This comparison evaluates the gas-powered versions of both models to keep specifications clear and consistent. For households across Little Rock, North Little Rock, Bryant, and Sherwood, the biggest deciding factors often come down to passenger space, engine strength, and long-term ownership value.

For a detailed trim overview, explore our 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe research page before visiting Crain Hyundai of Little Rock.

Interior Flexibility and Everyday Space

Many buyers begin with one simple question: how much room will I actually use? Santa Fe answers that with a standard third row, offering seating for six or seven passengers. Even if that extra row is not occupied daily, it provides built-in flexibility for carpools, extended family visits, or growing households. Folding both rear rows opens wide cargo space for luggage, sports gear, or home improvement runs.

You can explore more about Hyundai’s family-oriented design philosophy in Learn About Hyundai’s Family-Friendly Features at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock.

CR-V maintains a two-row layout with seating for five. Within the compact class, it performs impressively. Rear legroom is generous, and cargo space behind the second row reaches nearly 39 cubic feet. For drivers who value maneuverability and do not anticipate needing extra seating, the compact footprint works efficiently.

When future flexibility matters, however, Santa Fe offers more adaptability from day one.

Where the Differences Show

• Santa Fe: Standard third row, 6–7 passengers
• CR-V: Two rows, 5 passengers
• CR-V offers strong compact cargo capacity
• Santa Fe delivers greater seating versatility

Engine Performance on Arkansas Highways

Power becomes noticeable the moment traffic opens up.

The Santa Fe is equipped with a 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The traditional automatic provides smooth shifts and confident acceleration, especially when merging onto I-40 or carrying a full load of passengers.

The CR-V relies on a 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter engine matched to a continuously variable transmission. The focus remains on steady efficiency and predictable daily driving. Around town it feels composed, though it does not deliver the same passing strength as the larger Hyundai.

Front-wheel drive comes standard on both models, with available all-wheel drive adding traction during heavy rain or unpredictable weather.

What This Means for Drivers

• Santa Fe: 277 hp with 8-speed automatic
• CR-V: 190 hp with CVT
• AWD available on both
• Santa Fe offers stronger highway confidence

Exterior Style and Cabin Atmosphere

Design plays a subtle but important role in long-term satisfaction.

The Santa Fe adopts a squared stance and upright proportions that give it a confident road presence. The shape feels substantial without becoming oversized for city streets. Inside, wide digital displays and available premium materials create an upscale environment that feels more premium than expected in the segment.

The CR-V favors restraint. Its exterior lines are clean and balanced, while the honeycomb dash detail keeps the interior visually organized. The layout is intuitive and functional, though less dramatic in presentation.

Drivers who prefer bold styling may gravitate toward Hyundai’s approach, while those who value understated design may appreciate Honda’s simplicity.

Side-by-Side Takeaways

• Santa Fe delivers bold midsize styling
• CR-V emphasizes conservative compact design
• Hyundai interior feels more upscale overall

Technology Integration and Connectivity

Modern SUVs are judged as much by their screens as their engines.

The Santa Fe features dual 12.3-inch displays that span the dashboard, combining digital instrumentation and infotainment controls into one cohesive layout. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and upper trims introduce upgrades such as a head-up display and Bose premium audio.

The CR-V includes a standard 9-inch touchscreen for 2026, along with wireless smartphone integration and a wireless charging pad. Higher trims add a 10.2-inch digital instrument display. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, prioritizing usability over visual impact.

Both systems deliver strong functionality, but Hyundai offers a larger and more immersive presentation.

The Practical Advantage

• Santa Fe: Dual 12.3-inch displays
• CR-V: 9-inch touchscreen standard
• Wireless smartphone integration on both
• Santa Fe offers a broader digital layout

Safety Systems for Little Rock Traffic

Daily driving in Central Arkansas demands strong driver-assistance support.

The Santa Fe includes forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Hyundai continues expanding its safety technologies, giving drivers added reassurance during storm season and congested traffic. For additional insight, visit Tackle Spring Storms in Little Rock with Hyundai’s Safety Features.

The CR-V also includes forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitor. The baseline coverage between the two vehicles is competitive and comprehensive.

Where Hyundai adds value is through expanded available camera systems on upper trims.

Safety Snapshot

• Comprehensive driver-assistance features standard on both
• CR-V includes driver-attention monitoring
• Santa Fe offers expanded available camera technology

Performance, AWD & Fuel Economy (Gas Models Only)

The following specifications apply strictly to gas-powered models.

The Santa Fe produces 277 horsepower with front-wheel drive standard and available all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is approximately 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (FWD). Seating capacity ranges from six to seven passengers.

The CR-V produces 190 horsepower with front-wheel drive standard and available all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is approximately 28 mpg city and 33 mpg highway (FWD). Seating capacity is five passengers.

The CR-V holds the efficiency advantage, while Santa Fe delivers more power and expanded seating flexibility.

Capability Comparison

• Santa Fe: Higher horsepower
• CR-V: Higher fuel economy
• AWD available on both
• Santa Fe adds seating capacity

Ownership Coverage and Long-Term Value

Beyond daily driving, warranty protection plays a major role in ownership confidence.

The Santa Fe is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and three years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. That extended coverage remains one of Hyundai’s strongest advantages and is detailed further in America’s Best Warranty: Comprehensive Protection at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock.

The CR-V includes a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and one year/12,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. While competitive, it does not match Hyundai’s longer-term protection.

Long-Term Value Breakdown

• Longer powertrain coverage with Santa Fe
• More complimentary maintenance from Hyundai
• CR-V provides competitive but shorter warranty terms

Final Recommendation for Little Rock Drivers

The CR-V remains a strong compact SUV choice for buyers who prioritize fuel efficiency and a smaller footprint.

For families and drivers across Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Benton, Bryant, and Sherwood who want more passenger flexibility, stronger acceleration, upscale interior design, and extended warranty protection, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe stands out as the more complete and future-ready option.

Visit Crain Hyundai of Little Rock to experience the Santa Fe in person and explore current inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe larger than the 2026 Honda CR-V?
Yes. Santa Fe is a midsize SUV with three rows of seating for up to seven passengers, while CR-V is a compact SUV with two rows and seating for five.

Which SUV has more horsepower, Santa Fe or CR-V?
The gas-powered 2026 Santa Fe produces 277 horsepower, compared to 190 horsepower in the gas-powered 2026 CR-V.

Do both the 2026 Santa Fe and 2026 CR-V offer all-wheel drive?
Yes. Both SUVs offer available all-wheel drive to improve traction during rain or inclement weather in Central Arkansas.

Tags: 2026 Honda CR-V, 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, 3-row vs 2-row SUV, Crain Hyundai Little Rock, Hyundai vs Honda SUV, Santa Fe vs CR-V, SUV comparison Little Rock AR
Posted in Crain Hyundai of Little Rock | No Comments »