2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a testament to Ford's consistent design philosophy, offering a family resemblance across its SUV lineup. It presented a sporty exterior with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, making it stand out among other brands. The Explorer's six trim levels, ranging from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, provided a variety of exterior and interior enhancements as one moved up the price ladder. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seating as standard, with a clean dashboard and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen dominating the center stack. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering better equipment and finishes, while higher trims provided leather upholstery and additional luxury features.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim was less about visual flair and more about practicality. The XRT's exterior, with its Portofino Gray paint and black cloth interior, lacked visual contrast, resembling an old black-and-white image. However, the interior was thoughtfully designed, offering comfort and quality for its price point. The Santa Fe XRT included features like a dual-zone automatic climate control system and stain-resistant fabric seats, ensuring a comfortable ride for all passengers. The rear-seat accommodations were particularly noteworthy, providing ample space and comfort for a family of four, along with practical features like rear side-window shades and USB charging ports.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight of 4,345 pounds, this engine provided a competitive edge over rivals like the Kia Telluride. The Explorer's higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering up to 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque in the sport-oriented ST trim. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, capable of towing between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not designed for speed, this engine was adequate for everyday driving and highway cruising. For those seeking more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Fe's eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifting, and various driving modes allowed for adaptability in different conditions. The XRT's ride quality was commendable, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable choice for long drives.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in its base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, making it competitive with other midsize SUVs. The Explorer's cargo space was impressive, with 21 cubic feet available even with the third row in use, and a total of 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a dual-zone automatic climate control system and comfortable seating for a family of four. The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot room, accommodating growing children and child-safety seats with ease. The Santa Fe's cargo space was practical, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Smart Tailgate feature added convenience, though it occasionally opened unintentionally.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims provided upgrades like a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Explorer also featured multiple USB ports and power outlets for charging devices.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. While the XRT lacked the upgraded infotainment system available in higher trims, it included Hyundai's digital key technology and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system for added convenience.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with a comprehensive suite of safety features included in the Ford Co-Pilot360 package. This included blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with Hyundai SmartSense, a collection of driver-assist features such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Santa Fe also included unique features like Junction Turning Detection and Safe Exit Assist for enhanced safety.