2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe initially seemed like it might be overpriced, but once you experienced its quality materials, user-friendly controls, and driving dynamics, the price tag felt like a bargain. The Santa Fe offered a choice of two new gasoline engines and a 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, while the interior boasted upscale materials and a high-tech 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. It featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, known as Parametric Pixel design, with numerous LED lights and aerodynamic wheels. Inside, the Ioniq 5 embraced a "Living Space" theme with a mellow, comfortable interior available in various hues. The cabin included sustainable materials and innovative features like a moveable center console and a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver's seat.

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 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe provided Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the turbocharged engine offering impressive performance and fuel efficiency, averaging 22.4 mpg in testing.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The base SE Standard Range model had a 128-kW rear motor producing 168 hp and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models featured a 168-kW rear motor with 225 hp and a 303-mile range. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, offering a 256-mile range. The Ioniq 5 provided four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The vehicle also featured paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels and a quiet cabin with noise-reducing features.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a spacious interior with dual-zone automatic climate control and stain-resistant fabric or leather seats, depending on the trim. The Calligraphy trim featured premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The SUV provided comfortable seating with power adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was spacious and included air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5 had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with 27.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space. The cabin featured soft touch points and a moveable center console, creating a flexible and comfortable environment. The leatherette seats were supportive and comfortable, with a modern take on the retro front bench seat allowing easy access from either front door.

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 head-up display (HUD). 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 Santa Fe also featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Blue Link subscription services, and Hyundai's Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The vehicle had 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, finished with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, and a rear-occupant alert system. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist provided additional safety and convenience. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 included Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) with features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Highway Drive Assist I system used machine learning to adapt to the driver's habits. The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's recent track record suggested high safety marks for the Ioniq 5.