2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Jeep Cherokee

For the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, our opinion of its styling had definitely evolved since its debut. While the short grille opening and the swept-back headlights were initially divisive, over the years, the Cherokee looked better proportioned. The vehicle's aesthetics varied significantly depending on the chosen trim level. For example, an entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) resembled a standard rental car. In contrast, an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels boasted a much more refined appearance, with painted lower body cladding instead of black plastic.

Jeep consistently maximized the utility of the roof in their models. The Cherokee, in particular, offered an optional panoramic sunroof that covered the entire top surface, providing an open, airy feel to the cabin. Overall, the Cherokee presented a distinct look that stood out in the crowded crossover SUV market and bore a striking resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

Conversely, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative approach to its design, especially with the new XRT treatment. The addition of visual enhancements like side steps, while helpful for roof rack access, obstructed entry and exit and reduced its breakover angle for off-roading. Unless the roof rack was regularly used, the XRT’s added features could be skipped.

The XRT was one of five gasoline trim levels, statistically positioned above SE and SEL trims but below the turbocharged Limited and Calligraphy trims. The model used for testing came in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, creating a bland visual contrast that resembled a grayscale photograph. Nonetheless, the Santa Fe's interior had thoughtful design elements and materials that provided good value for the price, ensuring a pleasant driving environment despite not being as upscale as its higher-trim siblings.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, each catering to different needs and budgets. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower, while the 3.2-liter V-6 offered a more robust 271 hp. The top-tier option was the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which, despite being just 1 hp shy of the V-6 with 270 hp, delivered a hefty 295 pound-feet of torque compared to the V-6’s 239 lb-ft. Acceleration in the Cherokee was modest at best, with a 0 to 60 mph time of about 7.2 seconds for the V-6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four.

All Cherokee models were outfitted with a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which, after some initial issues, proved to be a competent and fuel-efficient unit. For off-road enthusiasts, the Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled with features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, providing impressive trail capabilities. However, it’s important to note that the Cherokee was available in FWD as well, mainly for cost-conscious buyers or rental fleets.

In comparison, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine did not provide thrilling acceleration but was adequately competent for daily driving and highway cruising. For those desiring more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.

An eight-speed automatic transmission handled gear changes smoothly, using push-button controls on the center console for gear selection. Multiple driving modes, such as Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, were available, and the AWD system could be locked at low speeds for improved traction. Despite the standard engine’s limitations in responsiveness, particularly when carrying heavy loads or climbing hills, the Santa Fe demonstrated excellent composure, a quiet cabin, and decent fuel economy. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a niche between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, placing it in the compact crossover segment alongside competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Cherokee fell short in cargo space, offering just 26 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet when folded. This was significantly less than rivals such as the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage. However, with about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, it was competitive in terms of accommodating passengers.

The Cherokee’s interior varied greatly depending on the trim level. The base Latitude trim was basic with rubberized black plastic, while the higher Trailhawk trim featured upscale accents like suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim provided a more luxurious feel with perforated Nappa leather upholstery, enhancing the sporty appearance.

Compared to the Cherokee, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space and comfort. It featured a dual-zone automatic climate control system, rear air conditioning vents, and a Clean Air ionizer starting from the XRT trim. The driver’s seat was an eight-way power-adjustable unit with heating for both front seats, although the absence of a height-adjustable passenger seat was a notable omission.

Rear-seat accommodations in the Santa Fe were generous, with ample space for passengers and child-safety seats. The Santa Fe offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded down. The hands-free power-opening “Smart Tailgate” was a convenient feature, but it occasionally triggered unintentionally.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee boasted the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, which was widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. It featured easy-to-use climate controls and seamless integration for heated seats. The Uconnect system came with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens, depending on the trim, and supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa. Additionally, remote start was available, making it a practical choice for various climates.

On the other hand, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. Hyundai’s system was user-friendly, with large knobs for volume and tuning, clean graphics, and logical menu structures. However, more advanced features like the 10.25-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon premium sound system were available only on higher trims.

The Santa Fe also introduced digital key technology for Android smartphones, allowing the use of the phone as a vehicle key. However, this feature was not compatible with Apple iPhones. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system and Bluelink’s safety and convenience features added further value to the Santa Fe’s tech offerings.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Although it received “Good” scores in most crashworthiness categories, it fell short in the headlight category with “Marginal” ratings for most trims. The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall rating, with a demerit for front driver-side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a comprehensive Hyundai SmartSense suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Unique features like Junction Turning Detection and Safe Exit Assist added to the safety arsenal. Additionally, the rear occupant alert system monitored the back seat for unattended children or pets. The 2022 Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, providing peace of mind to safety-conscious buyers.