2021 Buick Envision vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold and experimental design that was not universally appealing. Its exterior featured a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings, which could be polarizing for some buyers. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design with diamond-textured speaker grilles, creating a high-contrast visual experience. While the materials used in the interior were not particularly luxurious, the build quality was exceptional, and the controls operated with refinement. Overall, the Santa Fe's daring design was a standout feature, appealing to those who appreciated a unique aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Envision underwent a redesign that gave it a more sculpted and premium appearance. The Envision's exterior was lower and wider, providing a planted look on the street. The Avenir trim, in particular, added upscale elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch pearl nickel wheels. Inside, the Envision featured a driver-centric design with a protruding center stack, though it was less functional for passengers. While the Envision's interior design was stylish, it suffered from an abundance of piano black plastic, which attracted dust. Despite these drawbacks, the Envision's aesthetics were an improvement over its predecessor.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter engine and a more powerful 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The latter provided 260 lb-ft of torque, making it a better option for those seeking improved performance. The turbocharged engine delivered power efficiently, especially at higher altitudes, and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in combined driving. While the Santa Fe offered a smooth and quiet ride, it lacked driver engagement, making it more of a practical choice for daily driving.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite a reduction in power compared to the previous model, the Envision's weight savings improved fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving 26 mpg combined. The Envision's driving experience was comfortable but lacked the sporty dynamics of some competitors. Engine and road noise were noticeable, and the Sport mode did little to enhance performance. Overall, the Envision prioritized comfort over excitement in its driving dynamics.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in providing thoughtful interior features for families. It offered comfortable seating with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were spacious and included amenities like air conditioning vents and sunshades. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was somewhat limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet with them folded. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Envision's interior space was less accommodating. Despite a longer wheelbase, it had reduced headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers experienced a loss of legroom and hip room. Cargo capacity was also limited, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded. The driver-centric cockpit design hindered passenger access to controls, and forward visibility was compromised. While the Envision offered standard comfort features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel, its interior space was less family-friendly.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo control knobs, and shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features. The Limited trim added a larger display, navigation, a surround-view camera, and a premium sound system. The Santa Fe's technology was intuitive and easy to use, with a sophisticated voice recognition system.

The 2021 Buick Envision's technology was centered around a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed essential functions clearly. The driver information display provided quick access to station and song information. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging. While the Envision's tech offerings were adequate, they lacked the innovation seen in some competitors.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe received high safety ratings, earning a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Limited trim added a Blind-Spot View Monitor, enhancing safety further. The Santa Fe's safety features were robust and family-friendly.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time. It included standard safety features such as forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Buckle to Drive feature ensured seatbelt use before shifting from park to drive. While the Envision offered a range of safety features, it lacked advanced driver-assist systems like GM's Super Cruise.