2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's design stood out as a bold experiment. Hyundai offered the SUV in SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels, with the "2.0T" designation indicating a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance. Buyers had the option to add AWD, which shifted power from the front wheels to the rear as needed.

Styling was daring, with controversial elements such as a uniquely-shaped grille, stacked front lighting, asymmetrical fender stampings, and an oversized rear skid plate trim. These features made the Santa Fe a vehicle that you either loved or didn't. The interior continued the drama with a dual-cowl dashboard design, diamond-textured speaker grilles, and high-contrast interior color options. Glossy lower plastics and stiff leather seats detracted somewhat from the overall aesthetics, but build quality and control refinement were high points.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered an SUV with rugged styling reminiscent of traditional SUVs. Features like boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and an aggressive front end created a perception of capability beyond that of a typical compact crossover. However, beneath the rugged exterior lay a more conventional vehicle, built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform shared with sedans and minivans.

The RAV4's Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims included stylish touches like a retro-inspired Ice Edge roof, orange or red interior accents, and matte black 18-inch wheels. Inside, large rubberized knobs and door handles continued the rugged theme, offering functionality and uniqueness. Material quality was good but did not rise to premium levels in higher trims. Notably, the RAV4 never offered real leather upholstery, even on the top-tier Limited trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine choices. The standard 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder lacked the power to impress. The better option was the 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder, which delivered 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque from 1,450 rpm to 3,500 rpm. This powertrain proved more responsive, especially at higher altitudes. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Santa Fe’s FWD configuration sometimes suffered from torque steer, but opting for AWD mitigated this issue.

Fuel economy for the 2.0T engine reached an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in combined driving, though our testing showed 22.1 mpg. Both power and efficiency made the Santa Fe viable for everyday use and long journeys. Driving dynamics were smooth and comfortable, with responsive handling and quiet cruising thanks to laminated glass. The SUV also demonstrated unexpected off-road prowess in moderate conditions, although it leaned more towards functionality than driver engagement.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine was efficient, achieving 40% thermal efficiency, similar to racing engines. However, the powertrain sometimes seemed at odds with the RAV4’s performance. The eight-speed automatic transmission hesitated, and steering, while responsive, lacked feel. The Sport mode added steering heft but didn’t enhance the driving experience much.

On highways, the RAV4 excelled with low noise levels and a suspension that handled road imperfections well. Toyota emphasized off-road capabilities with adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which included torque-vectoring AWD, all-terrain tires, and higher ground clearance, boosting the RAV4’s ability on rough terrains. Towing capacity reached up to 3,500 pounds for these models, owing to its off-road focus.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe catered well to families with its thoughtful interior design. Our test vehicle featured comfortable eight-way power-adjustable and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the driver’s seat with lumbar support and thigh extensions. A dual-zone automatic climate control system with an ionizer maintained comfort even with a panoramic sunroof in place.

In terms of seating, the back row provided ample legroom and adequate thigh support, complete with air vents and sunshades in the Limited trim. However, cargo capacity was a slight letdown, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet when folded. On the plus side, the Santa Fe had useful under-floor storage compartments and a smart liftgate that opened without needing a foot swipe.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof ensuring good headroom and visibility. While front seats in the TRD Off-Road model provided comfort with form-fitting shapes, the rear seats lacked plushness, rendering long journeys less appealing. The absence of a sliding rear seat, unlike some competitors, also restricted flexibility.

Cargo capacity in the RAV4 stood at 37.6 cubic feet with rear seats up, competitive but behind the Honda CR-V. Loading was easy with a wide aperture, though the cargo area had a higher lip than some rivals. Storage solutions included useful knobs and a center-console bin, albeit with limited space on the console itself.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in its infotainment setup. The touchscreen system was intuitive, perched atop the dashboard for easy access, featuring control knobs, shortcut buttons, and programmable functions. Standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto enhanced connectivity, supported by an optional SiriusXM subscription and Blue Link connected services in the SEL trim.

The Limited trim further enhanced tech offerings with an 8-inch display, navigation, surround-view camera, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity sound system. A head-up display provided essential data within the driver's view. The voice recognition system was also notably sophisticated and user-friendly.

Comparatively, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM, with most trims featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered 8 and 9-inch screens. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. While the interface was functional with clear graphics and shortcut buttons, it lacked the advanced features and flashiness of some competitors.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned top safety accolades, including a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SEL trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and an ultrasonic occupant alert system tied to the Blue Link app. Limited trim boasted a Blind-Spot View Monitor for an extra layer of safety.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 also received high marks, earning a "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. All models came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which offered forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and lane centering. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system, ensuring comprehensive protection.