2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, and the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, left buyers wondering why it didn’t cost more. It offered a choice between two new gasoline engines and a new gas-electric hybrid powertrain, with trim levels ranging from SE to Calligraphy. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, giving each trim a unique character. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted new colors, patterns, and textures, along with a new bridge-style center console. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded quality with premium leather and a panoramic glass sunroof. Despite some discordant design elements, the Santa Fe's interior was a standout, offering a sense of luxury and comfort.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn’t feel particularly strong off the line, it provided ample power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic performed well overall, though it occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, but it lacked agility on twistier roads. The AWD system, which required manual activation, could send up to 50% of torque to either front wheel or 85% to either rear wheel, but its impact on handling was not noticeable. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, which was average for the segment.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid models featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a starter/generator, an electric drive motor, and a six-speed automatic transmission, with a total system output of 226 hp. The Limited and Calligraphy trims had a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the turbocharged engine providing impressive performance and fuel efficiency. The EPA rated both AWD powertrains at 24 mpg in combined driving, and the Santa Fe averaged 22.4 mpg in testing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate available on the Premier and High Country models. However, interior storage options were limited, making it less practical than a minivan for carrying lots of people or cargo.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, designed for those who didn’t need a third-row seat, offered ample passenger room and comfort. All trims included dual-zone automatic climate control, with stain-resistant fabric on cloth seats and leather available on the SEL trim. The Calligraphy trim featured premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe provided a comfortable driving position, with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel available on higher trims. The rear seat offered plenty of legroom and comfort, with air-conditioning vents, quick-charge USB ports, and rear side-window sunshades. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 72.1 cubic feet with it folded down, making it suitable for family road trips.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen in the Traverse RS was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio volume and climate control. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had 2 USB ports as standard, but wireless phone charging was only available on the Premier and High Country models.

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 came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch touchscreen offered wired versions, upgraded voice-recognition technology, and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The Santa Fe also featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. Blue Link provided a range of connected services, including remote engine start and climate control adjustment. The Santa Fe lacked a WiFi hotspot but offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing owners to unlock, drive, and park the SUV using their smartphone or keyfob.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top “Good” scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, along with a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech. However, it received “Acceptable” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side-impact crash tests. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist available only on higher trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted an impressive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, and rear-occupant alert. The Santa Fe also featured Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane-following technologies. The IIHS named the Santa Fe a “Top Safety Pick” when equipped with LED projector headlights, and it earned the highest possible ratings for crashworthiness and front crash-prevention technology.