2020 Lexus GX vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

When shopping for a new 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, buyers had to choose between SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels. Versions with a “2.0T” in the trim name received a power and performance upgrade courtesy of a turbocharged engine. All-wheel drive (AWD) was an option, allowing the automatic transmission to transfer power from the front wheels to the rear wheels when necessary. Aside from deciding about AWD, a turbocharged engine, and—if you were getting the SEL—an optional Convenience Package, buyers picked a paint color, interior color, and upgrades from a shortlist of dealer-installed accessories. The test vehicle had Limited 2.0T trim and a set of dealer-installed floor mats, bringing the price to $39,170.

The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, which might not have appealed to everyone. Controversial points included the grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, asymmetrical fender stampings, and oversized rear “skid plate” trim. Inside, the dual-cowl dashboard design swept into door panels containing diamond-textured speaker grilles. Versions with gray or beige interior colors presented a high-contrast visual feast. However, materials quality didn’t quite match Hyundai’s high-style design, with glossy plastic covering the lower half of the interior and fairly stiff leather seat upholstery. Build quality was exceptionally good, and the controls operated with refinement.

The Lexus GX, introduced in 2002 and redesigned for the 2010 model year, continued to the 2020 model year with some new design tweaks. The updated GX adopted the garish hourglass grille design seen across the Lexus lineup. Despite the new front end and headlights, the GX remained a decade-old vehicle, sharing a platform with the Toyota 4Runner. This rugged capability outweighed the necessity to innovate, making the GX incredibly capable. The cabin showed its age with a large, chunky center console and big buttons, a hallmark of early 2010s Lexus styling. The GX was available in three trims: the 460, the 460 Premium, and the 460 Luxury, each offering a range of standard and optional features.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a minimum curb weight of 3,591 pounds and a maximum of 3,946 pounds. The standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine was not ideal for this weight. Instead, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque between 1,450 rpm and 3,500 rpm, was the better choice. This engine provided significant increases in power and torque over the standard engine. An eight-speed automatic transmission funneled power to the front wheels unless the optional AWD system was chosen. Properly equipped, the Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The EPA estimated a Santa Fe 2.0T front-driver to get 23 mpg in combined driving, and the test model returned 22.1 mpg.

The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, light-effort steering, and brakes that withstood some abuse. The Limited trim had laminated windshield and front window glass, making the highway ride quiet. The Santa Fe handled moderate off-roading with ease but lacked driver engagement, making it more of a tool than a toy.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, making 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided an unmistakable swell of power in real-world driving. The GX had light but direct and responsive steering. The self-leveling air suspension made for a smooth, composed ride. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with various 4WD modes, adjustable suspension height, and Downhill Assist Control. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, fuel economy was not impressive, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The test model averaged 16.3 mpg.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered thoughtful attention to detail, with creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in versions with cloth seats. The test vehicle had eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with a Clean Air ionizer. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, rear side-window sunshades, and heated bottom cushions. However, cargo space was limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet. The Santa Fe featured a hands-free “smart” liftgate that opened automatically when the key fob was in proximity.

The Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs and power-folding third-row seats in the Premium and Luxury trims. The captain’s chairs provided a small access way to the third row and a natural barrier between kids. However, getting into the third row was a chore for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors. The GX had a side-opening rear hatch and a separately opening rear window/hatch, allowing access to the cargo area without opening the massive hatch.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe’s touchscreen infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. Every Santa Fe had Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three free years of service. The Limited trim added a larger 8-inch display, a navigation system, a surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The head-up display provided a wealth of data within the driver’s line of sight.

The Lexus GX’s touchscreen infotainment setup showed its age but had its perks. It was a true touchscreen, flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The simplicity of this system might appeal to some drivers over the complexity of modern Lexus infotainment setups.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Every Santa Fe was equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system. The SEL Convenience Package included an ultrasonic occupant alert system. The Limited trim included a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also had blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX offered great visibility with massive windows and mirrors, adding to its safety.