2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe marked a significant shift in Hyundai's design philosophy, moving away from conservative styling to embrace a bold, futuristic exterior. This model featured a daring design with a unique headlight configuration reminiscent of the Jeep Cherokee, yet executed with more finesse. Inside, the Santa Fe combined modern practicality with a touch of style, offering deep storage compartments and an organic ambiance with earthy tones and a textured headliner. The range of trims, from SE to Ultimate, provided various features, with the Ultimate trim offering luxury touches like rain-sensing wipers and ventilated front seats.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe continued the bold design trend but with mixed results. The exterior design was polarizing, with elements like the grille shape and stacked lighting drawing varied opinions. Inside, the Santa Fe offered a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colors, though some materials fell short of the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined. The 2020 model's design was daring, appealing to those who appreciate bold aesthetics, while others might find it too attention-grabbing.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, available on the Limited and Ultimate trims, provided strong acceleration and was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe's driving dynamics were composed, with well-weighted steering and a drive mode selector offering Sport, Comfort, and Smart settings. Fuel efficiency for the AWD turbo model was recorded at 22 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe also featured a standard 2.4-liter engine with 185 horsepower, but the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was the preferred choice for its 235 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered better performance, especially at higher altitudes. The 2020 model's driving experience was smooth and compliant, with light-effort steering and effective brakes. The Limited trim provided a quiet highway ride, thanks to laminated glass. Fuel economy for the 2.0T front-wheel-drive model was around 22.1 mpg in combined driving, aligning with EPA estimates.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered 71 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench was easy to operate, and the hands-free power liftgate added convenience. Despite limited cargo space, the Santa Fe featured clever storage solutions throughout the cabin.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe also provided 71.3 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than the 2019 model. The interior was thoughtfully designed, with comfortable seating and features like dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats offered good legroom and reclined for added comfort. The hands-free smart liftgate was a standout feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area without needing to wave a foot under the bumper.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system featured a floating screen with hard buttons and dials for easy use. The base SE trim included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims added features like satellite radio, BlueLink, and a head-up display. The Ultimate trim offered a larger 8-inch touchscreen and wireless charging.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly design, with stereo control knobs and programmable shortcut buttons. All models included Bluetooth and smartphone integration, while the SEL trim added SiriusXM and Blue Link services. The Limited trim featured an 8-inch display, navigation, and a surround-view camera. The head-up display provided valuable information, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Smart Sense, which offered forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Safe Exit Assist System was a notable addition, preventing rear doors from opening if a vehicle was approaching.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. It included advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a driver monitoring system. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning and a safe exit assist system. The Limited trim introduced a Blind-Spot View Monitor, enhancing safety further.