2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Ford Explorer

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe represented a significant departure from Hyundai's traditionally conservative styling. This model led Hyundai's charge into more daring and futuristic designs. It featured an exterior that was bold and eye-catching, characterized by a unique lighting arrangement similar to that of the 2014-2018 Jeep Cherokees. The Santa Fe sported an upper LED strip for daytime running lights and main headlight assemblies in mid-level clusters, resembling oversized fog lights but executed with more finesse.

Inside, the Santa Fe combined modernity and practicality. The cabin had a modern, crisp feel without sacrificing functionality. It included deep compartments in the doors and center console, and the interior design was imbued with a surprisingly organic ambiance. The Ultimate trim test vehicle showcased earthy tones, a unique speaker pattern, and a textured, sweatshirt-like headliner, achieving a balance of style and usability.

The Santa Fe was available in multiple trims: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim came with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, high-beam assist, and power heated side mirrors. The interiors featured manually controlled seats and remote keyless entry. The SEL trim added fog lights, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and push-button start, while the SEL Plus included 18-inch alloy wheels, dual automatic climate control, and a premium Infinity sound system. The Limited trim boasted full LED headlights, satin chrome door handles, and leather seating. The top-tier Ultimate trim was equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, memory settings for the front seats, and ventilated front seats.

The 2020 Ford Explorer had an imposing exterior and refined an already handsome design reminiscent of the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model appeared lower and more athletic, with wide headlights, a large grille, and bold "Explorer" lettering on the hood, creating a recognizable and prominent face. Despite retaining an overall utilitarian look, the ST version with black 21-inch rims, red brake calipers, and quad exhaust pipes exuded a sporty charisma.

However, the Explorer's interior was a different story. Despite its price point—reaching up to $60,000—interior materials felt subpar with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics making up much of the door panels and center console. The aluminum speaker covers and white stitching offered some relief from the black monotony. The dashboard was padded, and the switchgear felt solid, but the overall interior could not compete with similarly priced vehicles from luxury brands. Advanced features in the ST model, such as a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a large vertical touchscreen, were well-received but did not fully compensate for the lack of luxury feel.

The 2019 Santa Fe offered two engines. The base engine was a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder making 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The Limited and Ultimate trims had an option for a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent through an 8-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or an available all-wheel-drive system (AWD).

The base engine was considered sluggish, while the turbocharged 2.0 engine delivered strong acceleration both from a standstill and at highway speeds, though it wasn't available in the lower trims. The Santa Fe had 7.2 inches of ground clearance, offering a stable ride with minimal body roll for its size. It also featured a drive mode selector with Sport, Comfort, and Smart settings, adjusting the throttle response and shift-mapping.

Fuel efficiency for the front-wheel-drive Santa Fe with the 2.4-liter engine was rated at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. The AWD turbo model returned 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined, and in practical usage, an average of 22 mpg was achieved.

For the 2020 Ford Explorer, the investment in a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis paid off significantly. The RWD setup allowed for better weight distribution, akin to luxury automakers like BMW. The ST model excelled with its crisp handling, sharp steering, and minimal body roll, making it a nimble vehicle despite its size. Ride quality was firm but not harsh, thanks to the well-tuned suspension by Ford Performance.

The Explorer ST featured a robust 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was optional, and the power delivery was smooth, with minimal jerking during downshifts. The turbo V6 was also available in the Platinum trim with 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The standard engine across most trims was a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four with 300 horsepower, and 310 pound-feet of torque. There was also a hybrid option combining a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for a net 318 horsepower.

Fuel efficiency varied with the engine choice. The hybrid was rated at 23 mpg city, 26 highway, and 25 combined with AWD. The 2.3-liter turbo inline-four delivered 20 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined. The turbo V6 with AWD was rated at 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined, but practical usage saw an average of 18 mpg. Towing capacities were impressive: the hybrid could tow 5,000 pounds, the 4-cylinder up to 5,300 pounds, and the V6 with AWD up to 5,600 pounds.

The interior space and cargo capacity of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe were somewhat limited for a midsize crossover. With the rear seats folded, it offered 71 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the compact Honda CR-V, which had 75 cubic feet. With the rear seats up, it provided 35.9 cubic feet. The Santa Fe featured a hands-free power liftgate and multiple storage compartments, making it practical despite its modest cargo space.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in form and function, offering comfortable seating and ample interior space. On a Christmas road trip, the Explorer accommodated three adults and their gear comfortably. Its redesigned interior felt airier, particularly in the third row, which could fit six-foot-tall adults for short trips. The Explorer's cargo capacities were improved, offering 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and a class-leading 88 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The Explorer's ergonomics were also well-thought-out, featuring physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls. However, thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created some blind spots. Still, the overall driving experience was stress-free and intuitive.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe was well-equipped in terms of technology. The base SE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL and above added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai’s BlueLink system with Alexa integration. The Ultimate trim included a head-up display, an 8-inch touchscreen, and additional features like rear USB ports and a wall-style power outlet. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a logical layout, bright graphics, and hard buttons and dials for easy operation.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi as standard. Factory navigation was standard on all trims except the base XLT. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Explorer offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster on the ST and Platinum models. These features made navigation easier and provided a high-resolution interface for various settings. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system included adaptive cruise control and semi-automated driving assistance, though it was somewhat less refined than competitors' systems.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard equipment included front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Hyundai’s Smart Sense suite included forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Safe Exit Assist System tied the rear child-proof locks to the blind-spot monitoring, preventing the rear doors from opening if a car was approaching.

The 2020 Ford Explorer also offered robust safety features. The standard Ford Co-Pilot 360 included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, though the latter could be overly sensitive at times. While the NHTSA had not tested the 2020 Explorer, the IIHS had rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver’s side.