2021 Honda CR-V 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. The "2.0T" versions offered a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance, and all-wheel drive (AWD) was an optional feature. The selection process also included choosing paint color, interior color, and dealer-installed accessories. The test vehicle, a Limited 2.0T trim, came with dealer-installed floor mats, bringing the price to $39,170. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, featuring a unique grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the dual-cowl dashboard design and high-contrast interior colors added character, although the materials quality didn't quite match the high-style design.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, had a more conventional look, blending in with other compact crossovers. The CR-V's design was functional rather than flashy, with minor details like the grille and chromed plastic features setting it apart. Honda offered the CR-V in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors limited to higher trims. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. The seats had a modern, angular design, and higher trims included wood panels and more chrome for an upscale appearance. Overall, the CR-V's design was more about practicality than making a bold statement.

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 shared with the Kia Sorento but was not the preferred choice. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, available in the 2.0T versions, produced 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque between 1,450 rpm and 3,500 rpm. This engine provided better performance, especially at higher altitudes. The eight-speed automatic transmission funneled power to the front wheels, with AWD as an option. The Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in combined driving. The test model returned 22.1 mpg. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, making it a good daily driver. However, it lacked driver engagement and was more of a practical tool than an exciting drive.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-performance driving but offered smooth and steady acceleration. All trims featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided predictable performance but lacked engagement. Front-wheel drive was standard, with AWD as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, similar to other vehicles in its class. The CR-V's handling and ride quality were decent, with no real surprises. Overall, the CR-V prioritized practicality and comfort over driving excitement.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with thoughtful attention to detail, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in cloth seat versions. The test vehicle featured eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, with additional lumbar support and an extending thigh support for the driver. The dual-zone automatic climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic glass sunroof added to the comfort. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, rear side-window sunshades, and heated bottom cushions. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature, opening automatically when the key fob was in proximity.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. The tailgate operation varied by trim, with the base trims requiring manual operation, the EX-L featuring a power tailgate, and the Touring offering a hands-free version. Roof rails were standard only on the top-of-the-line Touring trim. The CR-V's design focused on practicality and functionality, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo control knobs, and main menu shortcut buttons. Every Santa Fe included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three free years of service. The Limited trim featured a larger 8-inch display, navigation system, surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The head-up display provided valuable information within the driver's line of sight. The technology was intuitive and easy to use, with a sophisticated voice recognition system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging functions. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, while the EX-L added two more speakers. The Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with a subwoofer and satellite navigation. Charging ports were abundant, with USB ports in the front console and second row, and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim. The CR-V's technology was practical and functional, catering to the needs of modern drivers.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included 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 featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor, providing a live video feed of the blind spots.

The 2021 Honda CR-V also earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. However, it did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an "Acceptable" rating. Honda's approach to safety was commendable, with the Honda Sensing system making advanced safety features standard across all trims. These features included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim onwards.