2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar's broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim, creating a luxurious and cockpit-like feel. However, its avant-garde styling resulted in limited headroom and a somewhat claustrophobic interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a more traditional SUV experience with a focus on value and comfort. The Santa Fe's exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, giving each trim level a unique character. Inside, the Santa Fe moved upmarket with new colors, patterns, and textures, especially in the luxurious Calligraphy trim. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with features like a suede-like headliner and premium Nappa leather. The Santa Fe's design prioritized passenger comfort and practicality, making it an appealing choice for families.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a significant performance upgrade with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors, and it felt large on tight roads. The Velar also offered a range of other engines, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, all with standard four-wheel drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided a choice of three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the Santa Fe Hybrids featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower. The higher-level Limited and Calligraphy trims boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Smart, allowed for a tailored driving experience. The turbocharged engine offered impressive performance and fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 24 mpg.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. However, this did not translate to more interior space, as competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 offered more legroom and headroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior's cockpit-like design, while stylish, resulted in a cramped feeling, and visibility was hindered by the tall hood and limited side glass.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in providing a comfortable and spacious interior. It offered dual-zone automatic climate control, stain-resistant fabric, and available leather upholstery. The Calligraphy trim elevated the interior with premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe's rear seat was particularly comfortable, with ample legroom and features like air-conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. The cargo space was generous, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it suitable for family road trips.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. While the system offered high-quality graphics, it was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was packed with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch color head-up display. The infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with upgraded voice-recognition technology and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The Santa Fe also offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. Blue Link provided a range of connected services, including remote engine start and climate control adjustment. While the Santa Fe lacked a WiFi hotspot, it offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist for added convenience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a low priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its comprehensive safety features. The forward-collision warning system included pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist and rear-occupant alert systems added extra layers of protection. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist further enhanced safety. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights, making it a strong choice for safety-conscious buyers.