2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, with its practical and utilitarian design, resembled a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for visual strength. The robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels added to its appeal across most trim levels. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with smaller wheels and lacked privacy glass, while the Premium trim offered better detailing and features for $34,395. The Limited trim, priced at $39,345, included leather seats, and the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 added premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and luxury enhancements. The test vehicle, with Touring trim, was priced at $46,285 and featured a stylish interior with quality materials and thoughtful details, making it feel worth the investment. CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium with option packages for a similar look to the Touring trim but at a lower price.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold and experimental design that was not universally appealing. It featured a unique grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. The interior had a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design with diamond-textured speaker grilles and high-contrast color options. While the materials quality was not as high as the design, the build quality was excellent, and the controls operated smoothly. The Santa Fe's daring design was a standout feature, but it might not suit those who prefer a more conventional look.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Despite its power, the Ascent was thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The CVT, while decent, had issues with uneven power delivery and an unpredictable powertrain. The Ascent's handling was not particularly engaging, with slow steering and a suspension that struggled on undulating surfaces. However, it excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter engine and a more powerful 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The latter provided 260 lb-ft of torque and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe's fuel economy was close to the EPA estimate, achieving 22.1 mpg. It delivered a smooth ride, decent handling, and quiet highway performance. While not particularly engaging, the Santa Fe was competent and comfortable for daily driving. It also handled moderate off-roading with ease, though it was more of a practical tool than a thrilling drive.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim, with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats had significant track travel, making them suitable for tall individuals. The Ascent provided a choice between a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter offering sliding and heated cushions. The third-row comfort was acceptable for short trips, and the Ascent had 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86 cubic feet with seats folded. The upright liftgate and underfloor storage added to its practicality.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured thoughtful details, such as stain-resistant fabric and creative storage spaces. The test vehicle had power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, with a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone climate control included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof added to the comfort. The back seat was comfortable, with air vents, sunshades, and reclining seats. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 71.3 cubic feet maximum. The hands-free smart liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, and a WiFi hotspot. The Touring trim improved the display and included navigation. While the system was user-friendly, the voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system had issues. The Ascent lacked a wireless charging pad but had USB ports in all rows. The Touring trim offered a 180-degree camera view and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was well-designed, with stereo control knobs, shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM, Blue Link connected services, and more. The Limited trim featured a larger display, navigation, surround-view camera, wireless charging, and a premium sound system. The head-up display provided useful information, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight, a suite of camera-based ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. The Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Limited trim included LED headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful information onto the windshield. The Ascent also had a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services.

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. It came with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and more. The SEL trim added blind-spot 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 blind spots.