2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Volvo XC90

Volvo’s pursuit of design excellence shone brilliantly in the 2020 XC90. This SUV embodied the zenith of Volvo aesthetics, demonstrating that a tall, robust vehicle could be just as striking as a sleek sedan. With its iconic Thor's Hammer LED headlights and a design that drew admiring glances day and night, the XC90 stood tall. The R-Design trim elevated the visual appeal with a blacked-out honeycomb grille, aggressive chin spoiler, bright 22-inch wheels, and black accents around windows and mirrors. The Thunder Grey Metallic exterior paint, coupled with a beige leather and aluminum interior, emphasized luxury and refinement. The XC90's thoughtful details, like the Swedish flag tag on the passenger seat and the twist-action ignition, showed a commitment to craftsmanship rarely seen.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a sophisticated yet distinctive look that made it seem more expensive than its price tag. The Calligraphy trim particularly stood out with its Stormy Sea paint, black premium leather interior, and 19-inch wheels. The redesigned front end featured new running lights, a reworked grille, and unique bumper designs across trims, creating a distinct character for each variant. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted a bridge-style center console, new textures, and premium materials like the suede-like headliner and quilted Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim, infusing the interior with a sense of luxury and comfort.

Performance-wise, the 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt inadequate for a vehicle of its size. The T6 model, with an added supercharger, delivered 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, providing more acceptable performance. For those seeking even more power, the T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque; however, the added weight of the hybrid system negated much of the promised acceleration benefits. With an EPA rating of 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for the T6 AWD, fuel economy was unimpressive.

Comparatively, 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 hybrid variant combined a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor, delivering a total of 226 horsepower and impressive torque for quick acceleration. The Limited and Calligraphy trims housed the same turbocharged 2.5-liter engine as the sporty Hyundai Sonata N Line, producing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for sharp, rapid shifts. Hyundai's drive modes—Normal, Sport, and Smart—allowed for customized driving experiences, and despite its power, the turbocharged engine maintained commendable fuel efficiency at 24 mpg combined.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 impressed with its seven-seat configuration and a highly responsive Sensus infotainment system. While the third row was tight, limiting comfort for anyone other than small children, the first and second rows were spacious and luxurious. Unique features such as the integrated booster cushion were standout elements, making it practical for families. Cargo capacity was considerable, offering up to 85.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, lacking a third row, prioritized comfort and luxury for five passengers. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control, while higher trims added luxurious touches like quilted Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. Rear seats offered decadent legroom and amenities such as USB ports, power outlets, and sunshades. The Santa Fe provided a respectable 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up, extending to 72.1 cubic feet when folded, making it versatile enough for family outings.

In the tech realm, the 2020 Volvo XC90 came equipped with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system, and an extraordinary Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen offered a high-resolution display, though some apps were slow to load, and customization options for the digital instrument panel were limited. The feature-rich infotainment system included apps for location sharing, voice memos, and streaming services like Spotify.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy dazzled with its technology suite, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch color head-up display. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, upgraded voice recognition, and enhanced Blue Link services. The excellent 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with Clari-Fi technology ensured premium audio quality. Blue Link’s free three-year subscription covered a range of connected services, including remote engine start and climate control adjustments.

Volvo continuously raised the bar for safety, as evidenced by the 2020 XC90’s top scores from the NHTSA and nearly perfect ratings from the IIHS, save for the headlight test. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident through innovations like the boron steel roof and curtain airbags, showing a genuine concern for passenger protection.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive and unusual array of safety features. The Calligraphy trim came with advanced technologies such as junction turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, and ultrasonic rear-occupant alert, which could detect movement for up to 24 hours. Blind-Spot View Monitor, using cameras to display surroundings, and Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, contributed to the Santa Fe’s impressive safety arsenal. The IIHS rated the Santa Fe a "Top Safety Pick" with its LED projector headlights.