2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels, with the "2.0T" versions providing a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance. All-wheel drive was optional, allowing the automatic transmission to transfer power from the front to the rear wheels when necessary. Buyers could select paint and interior colors and choose from a shortlist of dealer-installed accessories. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings that might not appeal to everyone. Inside, the dual-cowl dashboard design and diamond-textured speaker grilles added character, though the materials quality didn't quite match the high-style design.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved from its rugged origins to a luxurious vehicle with a starting price of $92,000. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, providing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's design, with its hallmark cues and clean styling, offered a timeless look. Inside, the Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance exuded luxury, though the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as intuitive as newer models. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a sense of luxury and sophistication.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, with a curb weight ranging from 3,591 to 3,946 pounds, offered a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. However, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, was the preferred choice for better performance. The eight-speed automatic transmission funneled power to the front wheels, with optional AWD available. The Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg in combined driving, though the test model returned 22.1 mpg. The Santa Fe provided a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, making it a competent daily driver.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered various powertrain choices, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension provided a classic wafting sensation, while the SUV's power built smoothly and rapidly. The Range Rover's EPA-estimated fuel economy was 20 mpg in combined driving, with the test model achieving 18.5 mpg. While the Range Rover excelled in comfort and luxury, it was best driven at a sedate pace due to its weight and tall center of gravity.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured thoughtful attention to detail, with creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. The test vehicle had eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone automatic climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic glass sunroof extended beyond the rear seat head restraints. 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.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension offered a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second row lacked comfort, with no thigh support and a slouched seating position. The back seat featured quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated outboard seating positions. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a tiny refrigerated bin under the center-console armrest. Luggage volume was also limited, with 25 cubic feet available and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet. The suspension kneel function made loading easier.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's touchscreen infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and Bluetooth connectivity. SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three free years of service. Limited trim included 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 data within the driver's line of sight, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured fully digital instrumentation and infotainment, with three displays offering numerous features and functions. The InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not entirely intuitive, and using the two 10-inch touchscreens while driving was distracting. The head-up display was comprehensive but not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover's technology included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app serving as a digital owner's manual.

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, and lane-keeping assistance. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, while the Limited trim included a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and parking sensors. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.