2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it had become a high-end SUV with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, offering a blend of standard and modest luxury options. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and a mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim aimed to offer a rugged appearance but fell short in terms of off-road capability. Priced at $34,095, it was positioned between the SE and SEL trims and included features from the SEL's Convenience Package. The test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, lacked visual contrast but offered thoughtful design and quality for its price. While the XRT trim didn't match the upscale feel of higher trims like the Limited or Calligraphy, it provided a comfortable and practical interior with good patterns and brightwork.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its legendary off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, and the SUV excelled in comfort and quietness. However, its steering was slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity led to some side-to-side wallow. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly powerful, it was adequate for highway speeds and offered a refined sound. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, and the SUV featured various driving modes, including Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The Santa Fe's ride and handling were composed and refined, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. However, the engine struggled on hills and lacked responsiveness in certain situations.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, which was necessary due to its height. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with a small center-console bin and a maximum cargo capacity of 59.8 cubic feet. The clamshell-style tailgate provided 25 cubic feet of luggage space, and a button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered a dual-zone automatic climate control system and stain-resistant fabric seats. The driver's seat was eight-way power-adjustable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided excellent accommodations with ample legroom and foot room, making it suitable for families. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was a convenient feature, although it could open unexpectedly.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, it could be navigated with practice. The SUV included a comprehensive head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for digital owner’s manual access.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and logical menu structures. While the XRT trim lacked the larger touchscreen and premium sound system available in higher trims, it featured Hyundai's digital key technology and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The SUV also featured Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.