2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe defied expectations with its pricing. Typically, new vehicles seem overpriced, but the Santa Fe made you wonder why it didn't cost more. It offered a choice between 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 new colors, patterns, and textures, elevating it to a more luxurious feel. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded quality with its premium leather and panoramic glass sunroof, though the exterior design remained an acquired taste.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, with its muscular design and balanced proportions, continued to impress consumers. For 2022, Kia made minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges. The Telluride's interior was upscale and organized, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in all three rows. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, making the interior feel more expensive. The Telluride's three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, and the SUV offered ample storage space, making it a practical choice for families.

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 Santa Fe Hybrids featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a starter/generator, an electric drive motor, and a six-speed automatic transmission, producing a total of 226 hp. The Limited and Calligraphy trims had a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 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, averaging 22.4 mpg in testing.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine with 262 lb-ft of torque, offered a satisfying driving experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission and available AWD with Lock mode provided good performance on various terrains. The Telluride featured Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with the SX trim offering 20-inch wheels and 245/50 tires for better grip. The SUV's ride quality was smooth, and it handled well on dry pavement. The Telluride averaged 21.1 mpg in testing, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate. It also had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample interior space for a midsize SUV without a third-row seat. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control, stain-resistant fabric or leather seats, and a luxurious Calligraphy trim with premium Nappa leather. The SUV offered comfortable seating with power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was spacious, with 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 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with its upscale interior design and practical features. It included dual-zone automatic climate control for the front seats and single-zone for the rear. The Telluride offered simulated leather in lower trims and real leather in higher trims, with the SX Prestige package adding premium Nappa leather. The SUV's three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, and it provided ample storage space. The Telluride had 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded 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 system required a wired connection but included upgraded voice recognition and Blue Link connected services. Blue Link provided a range of features, including remote engine start and climate control, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot. The Santa Fe also offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2022 Kia Telluride made its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard, including navigation and voice recognition. However, it lost the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The Telluride featured USB ports in all three rows, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and Kia Connect, which included a free trial subscription for one year. Kia Connect offered emergency assistance, remote engine start, and cabin climate pre-conditioning, among other features. The Telluride also had a Quiet Mode and Driver Talk function, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive list 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 added to the SUV's safety credentials. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard safety features under Kia Drive Wise, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride also had Highway Driving Assist, Safe Exit Assist, and Blind-Spot View Monitor. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.