2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

When shopping for a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, buyers had the choice 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 was straightforward, involving choices about AWD, engine type, paint color, interior color, and a few dealer-installed accessories. The test vehicle, a Limited 2.0T, came with dealer-installed floor mats, totaling $39,170. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, featuring a distinctive grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. The interior boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard, diamond-textured speaker grilles, and high-contrast color schemes, though the materials quality didn't quite match the high-style design.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, in its second generation since 2014, received a significant refresh in 2018, which carried over into 2021. This refresh introduced the dual-screen center console, a defining feature of recent Land Rover interiors. The Range Rover Sport offered a variety of trims, including SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition. Standard features on the base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Meridian sound system, and the dual-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, and a 19-speaker Meridian sound system. The Autobiography trim introduced high-end luxury features, while the SVR models focused on performance with a more powerful V8 engine and sport seats.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a minimum curb weight of 3,591 pounds and a maximum of 3,946 pounds. Its 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 models, produced 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque between 1,450 rpm and 3,500 rpm. This engine offered a significant performance boost, especially at higher altitudes. The eight-speed automatic transmission directed 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, though the test model achieved 22.1 mpg. The Santa Fe provided a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, especially in the Limited trim with laminated glass. It handled moderate off-roading well but was more suited for daily driving.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The HST model featured the P400 powertrain, rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains, with the P400e plug-in hybrid delivering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition models had a more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive (4WD). The Range Rover Sport's height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system provided excellent off-road capability and impressive on-road handling. Most variants could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with thoughtful attention to detail, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in models with cloth seats. 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 air conditioning was effective even with the panoramic sunroof. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, rear side-window sunshades, and heated bottom cushions in the Limited trim. The Santa Fe provided 35.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also featured a hands-free "smart" liftgate that opened automatically when the key fob was detected near the rear of the vehicle.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity from five to seven, though it provided only 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in use. Both the first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, with luxurious appointments. The optional third row was tight and best suited for children.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a touchscreen perched high on the dashboard. It featured stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and a programmable button for custom functions. All models included Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 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 featured a larger 8-inch display, navigation system, surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. A head-up display provided essential data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by the dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate settings and vehicle functions, while the upper screen housed the infotainment system. The system had a learning curve and was not always intuitive, though it featured reasonably sized icons for menu navigation and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The lower screen's dials controlled various functions, including fan speed, temperature, and off-road settings. Despite some usability issues, the system included a real volume button and offered a range of features.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a safe choice, earning 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 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, and the Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Additional available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and park assist. A head-up display was also available.