2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe was a pleasant surprise in terms of value. Typically, new vehicles seemed overpriced, but the Santa Fe defied this trend. Once you experienced its materials, controls, and driving dynamics, the price tag seemed almost too low. 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. Prices ranged from $26,850 to $39,950 MSRP, with AWD available for an additional $1,700 on gas models and standard on hybrids. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, while the interior boasted new colors, patterns, and a high-tech 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded quality with its premium leather and panoramic sunroof, making it feel like a steal at $43,590.

The 2022 Lexus RX continued to impress with its modern and sporty design, especially after its 2020 facelift. Available in base 350, F Sport, and L trims, the RX offered seating for five or seven passengers, with the hybrid RX 450h providing a combined output of 308 hp. The RX's aggressive styling, characterized by razor-sharp character lines and angular features, set it apart from competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The F Sport trim added performance dampers, adaptive variable suspension, and a unique front fascia, enhancing its athletic appearance. Inside, the RX maintained its luxury appeal with nearly a dozen color combinations, soft-touch surfaces, and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected.

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 Santa Fe Hybrid 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 boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter focusing on fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine delivered impressive performance, with a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in combined driving for both powertrains. During testing, the Santa Fe averaged 22.4 mpg, primarily in Smart mode.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. Both powertrains featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The RX 450h came exclusively with AWD. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming. The engine note was more akin to a turbocharged four-cylinder, and acceleration was sluggish. The F Sport trim included performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, and a Sport+ drive mode, but the driving experience remained lackluster. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. The RX 350's fuel economy was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample interior space for a midsize SUV, with dual-zone automatic climate control and stain-resistant fabric on cloth seats. Leather was available on the SEL trim and standard on the Limited, while the Calligraphy trim featured premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe offered comfortable seating with power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats in higher trims. The rear seat was spacious, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. The cargo area provided 36.4 cubic feet of space, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2022 Lexus RX's two-row model offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row RX 350L had a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with an option for second-row captain's chairs. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The three-row model offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net, but the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high.

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 standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch version included wired versions, upgraded voice-recognition technology, and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The Harman Kardon surround-sound system with Clari-Fi digital music restoration technology was available with the larger screen. Blue Link provided a range of connected services, including remote engine start, climate control adjustment, and seat heating or ventilation activation. The Santa Fe also featured Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist technology.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreens were ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip in front of the screen causing access issues. The alternatives were voice commands and a touchpad, the latter being particularly frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted an impressive array of safety features. The forward-collision warning system included pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist used blind-spot monitoring sensors to warn occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists, and the rear doors could override passenger action using child-safe door locks. The rear-occupant alert system detected movement within the Santa Fe for up to 24 hours, alerting parents via a smartphone app. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed a video view within the digital instrument cluster, and Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane-following technologies. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS with LED projector headlights.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.