2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, was known for its practical and utilitarian appeal. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares that added visual strength. Robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on three of the four trim levels enhanced its design. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, was priced at $46,285 and featured a stylish Abyss Blue Pearl exterior with Java Brown leather interior, offering a sense of quality and value.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its value proposition. Despite its reasonable pricing, the Santa Fe felt like it should cost more due to its quality materials and features. The lineup included new gasoline engines and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, with trims ranging from SE to Calligraphy. Pricing started at $26,850 and went up to $39,950. The Santa Fe's exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, giving each trim a unique character. Inside, new colors, patterns, and textures elevated the Santa Fe's interior, with a bridge-style center console and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel adding a high-tech feel. The Calligraphy trim, priced at $43,590, featured premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and a sophisticated interior that exuded quality.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by 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 good acceleration, the Ascent's powertrain was thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg on a testing loop, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with pavement undulations. The CVT, while decent, produced uneven power delivery and unpredictable performance. However, the Ascent excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims featured a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe Hybrid combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric drive motor, producing a total of 226 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Limited and Calligraphy trims boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter focusing on fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine delivered impressive performance, with a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The Santa Fe averaged 22.4 mpg on a testing loop, primarily in Smart mode, showcasing its balance of power and efficiency.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered a comfortable interior, especially in the Touring trim. The leather seats were soft and supple, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat featured a 10-way power adjustment with a manual thigh support extension. The dashboard included a useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. The Ascent provided a choice between a 3-person second-row bench seat or individual captain’s chairs, with the latter offering sliding functionality for added legroom. The third-row seat was relatively comfortable, with easy access and ample space for shorter trips. Cargo space was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, lacking a third-row seat, focused on maximizing comfort and space for five passengers. All trims featured dual-zone automatic climate control, with stain-resistant fabric seats in lower trims and leather in higher trims. The Calligraphy trim offered premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner, creating a luxurious feel. The front seats were power-adjustable, with heated and ventilated options in higher trims. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The Santa Fe's cargo space measured 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, accommodating a family’s needs for road trips and daily use.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured the Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and integrated apps. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security services. The Touring trim included a high-resolution screen and navigation. While the screen size was modest, the system was user-friendly with stereo knobs and separate climate controls. However, the voice-control system was outdated and the navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle. The Ascent offered USB ports in all three rows and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The Touring trim also featured a 180-degree front camera view and a 180-degree rear camera view, though it lacked a 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors.

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 basic 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch screen required wired connections but included upgraded voice recognition and Blue Link connected services. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with Clari-Fi technology was available with the larger screen. Blue Link provided a range of connected services, including remote engine start and climate control adjustment. The Santa Fe also featured Hyundai’s Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing for remote vehicle operation and parking.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its robust global platform and comprehensive safety features. The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected alerts onto the windshield, enhancing driver awareness. The Ascent also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and roadside assistance.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an extensive list of safety features, particularly in the Calligraphy trim. The forward-collision warning system included pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist used blind-spot monitoring sensors to warn occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists. The rear-occupant alert system, available in ultrasonic form, detected movement within the vehicle for up to 24 hours. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed video views of the SUV’s sides when the turn signal was activated. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane-following technologies. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights, achieving high marks for crashworthiness and front crash-prevention technology.