Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Pathfinder offer affordable three-row SUVs with distinct features

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Pathfinder are three-row crossover SUVs that are priced significantly lower than many competitors, making them attractive options for families on a budget, according to reports from dailylocal.com, citizensvoice.com, and readingeagle.com.

The Santa Fe is smaller than the Pathfinder and most other three-row SUVs, but its boxy design provides better than expected third-row headroom and cargo space behind the third row. Its smaller size also makes parking easier and may meet the needs of many families.

In contrast, the Nissan Pathfinder offers a roomier cabin, with more comfortable third-row seating for bigger children or adults. It also has 1.5 inches more shoulder room in the middle row, facilitating the installation of child safety seats and accommodating three passengers more comfortably. Additionally, the Pathfinder has 45 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, slightly more than the Santa Fe's 40.5 cubic feet.

Performance-wise, the Pathfinder is powered by a V6 engine producing 284 horsepower. It reached 60 mph in 7.6 seconds during Edmunds testing and delivers up to 23 mpg combined city/highway driving. However, its transmission may hesitate to downshift on inclines. The Santa Fe comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 271 horsepower, though further performance details were not provided in the sources.

Overall, both SUVs provide value with distinct advantages: the Santa Fe for ease of parking and adequate space, and the Pathfinder for cabin roominess and cargo capacity. Potential buyers may choose based on their priorities for space and driving characteristics.