2021 BMW X3 vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

When shopping for a new 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, buyers chose 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 opting for 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 elements included the grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, asymmetrical fender stampings, wheel well shapes, 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 the high-style design, with glossy plastic covering the lower half of the interior and fairly stiff leather seat upholstery. Despite this, build quality was exceptionally good, and the controls operated with refinement.

The third generation of the BMW X3 was introduced for the 2018 model year and received updates in 2020, including a plug-in hybrid model and M performance variants. The 2018 redesign refined the X3 formula, giving it the exterior and interior presence of larger, more expensive BMW models. The X3's outward appearance resembled a downsized BMW X5. Inside, it had the same cold, mechanical interior styling found across the BMW lineup. While not as aesthetically pleasing as the rival Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the X3’s dash was more functional.

Trims for the 2021 BMW X3 included sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid. The sDrive30i and xDrive30i came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a 10.2-inch infotainment system, navigation, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats. Options and packages added genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a hands-free power liftgate. The M40i trim featured 19-inch alloy wheels, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, unique exterior styling, and an M Sport suspension.

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, producing 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 AWD was selected. The test vehicle had FWD and suffered from torque steer under hard acceleration, an issue that disappeared with AWD. Properly equipped, the Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Fuel economy for the Santa Fe 2.0T front-driver was rated at 23 mpg in combined driving, with the test model returning 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, providing a quiet highway ride. The Santa Fe handled moderate off-roading with ease but lacked driver engagement, making it more of a tool than a toy.

The 2021 BMW X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i came equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower, routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The sDrive30i had rear-wheel drive (RWD), while the xDrive30i came with all-wheel drive (AWD). This engine provided solid pickup for city and highway driving. The xDrive30e’s plug-in hybrid powertrain made 288 hp and delivered brisk acceleration, especially at low speeds. It had a 17-mile electric-only range and could be recharged in about 3.5 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger or almost 12 hours using a 120-volt wall outlet.

For a real performance driving experience, the M40i featured a 382-hp twin-turbo inline-six engine, delivering robust acceleration and responsive cornering abilities. The 473-hp X3 M performance model was available for those needing speed and space for the family.

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, with the driver’s seat including four-way power-adjustable lumbar support and an extending thigh support. The dual-zone automatic climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the air conditioning was effective even with the panoramic glass sunroof.

The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, rear side-window sunshades, and heated bottom cushions in the Limited trim. Legroom and thigh support made it a good place for longer trips, with reclining rear seats for added comfort. Cargo space was 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet, with large storage compartments under the cargo floor. The hands-free “smart” liftgate opened automatically when the key fob was in proximity.

The 2021 BMW X3 provided up to 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 28.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free power liftgate as an option. The X3 was spacious for all passengers, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front row and adult-friendly rear seats. The driver and front passenger had real buttons and dials to complement the main touchscreen, making it user-friendly.

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, including remote engine starting, automatic emergency assistance, and more.

The Limited trim added an 8-inch display, navigation system, surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. A head-up display provided data on the windshield within the driver’s line of sight, including blind spot information. The voice recognition system was sophisticated, responding to naturally spoken commands with ease.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running the iDrive infotainment system, which was easy to use. The combination of touch operation and the iDrive dial in the center console catered to different user preferences. The X3 came standard with Apple CarPlay, with Android Auto as an option. Other options included wireless device charging, a fully digital instrument panel, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system. Gesture control was also available, allowing basic controls through hand movements.

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). Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. A driver monitoring system and rear-seat reminder system were also standard. 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 tied to the Blue Link app. The Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with advanced driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.