Compare the2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-In HybridVS 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Santa Fe Hybrid.

Both the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid and the Santa Fe Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 22 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Hyundai.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 6 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 17 more horsepower (248 vs. 231) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 38 miles. The Santa Fe Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

For better stopping power the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Fe Hybrid are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Santa Fe Hybrid (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Santa Fe SE/SEL Hybrid’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Santa Fe SE/SEL Hybrid.

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (36.2 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Fe Hybrid (7.9 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid is 4.8 inches shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid, making the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited/Calligraphy, the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid Platinum has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Santa Fe Hybrid SEL/Limited/Calligraphy offers wireless charging.