2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe defied expectations with its pricing, offering a level of quality and features that seemed to suggest it should cost more. Once inside, the materials, controls, and overall driving experience left many wondering how Hyundai managed to keep the price so reasonable. The Santa Fe was available with two new gasoline engines and a hybrid powertrain, with trim levels ranging from SE to the luxurious Calligraphy. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights and grille, while the interior boasted upscale materials and a high-tech digital instrumentation panel. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, impressed with its premium leather and panoramic sunroof, though the exterior design was somewhat polarizing.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that was unmistakably Range Rover. The Velar's exterior was a masterclass in scaling down the proportions of the larger Range Rover into a sporty, streamlined package. The interior, while not as opulent as previous models, still offered high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's design choices, such as the flush door handles and bronze accents on the R-Dynamic trim, added to its allure. However, the interior space was more compact, and some design decisions, like the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were less practical.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains, starting with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims. The hybrid model combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 hp. The higher-end Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter focusing on fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine provided impressive performance, with a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride and could raise the body for additional clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, offered up to 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The Velar's mild-hybrid system helped reduce fuel consumption, though it lacked the off-road capabilities of larger Range Rover models.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a spacious interior with dual-zone automatic climate control and stain-resistant fabric seats. The Calligraphy trim elevated the interior with premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe provided ample comfort with power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was particularly comfortable, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The Santa Fe's cargo space was 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, sacrificed interior space for its design. The headroom was limited, and visibility was restricted by thick pillars and small windows. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's interior design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were less practical. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the user experience with a simplified layout and new features like voice activation and a heated windshield.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was packed with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, surround-view camera system, and head-up display. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the basic 8-inch screen, while the 10.25-inch screen provided upgraded voice recognition and Blue Link connected services. Blue Link offered a range of features, including remote engine start and climate control, though a WiFi hotspot was absent. The Santa Fe also featured Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist for added convenience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. The system included features like voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could suggest traffic detours and provide off-road measurements. The Velar's instrument panel offered customizable layouts, though the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, 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, with high ratings for crashworthiness and front crash-prevention technology.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, though U.S. crash-test ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.