2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further updated in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels also available.

Despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, the GX’s styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim level.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT’s new treatment did not impress. It lacked a suspension lift and more aggressive tires, and the side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. The XRT was one of five gasoline Santa Fe trims, priced higher than the SE and SEL but lower than the turbocharged Limited and Calligraphy trims. It included all equipment from the SEL and its Convenience Package, with FWD or AWD options, starting at $34,095.

Our test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, offered little visual contrast due to the XRT treatment. However, the interior patterns and brightwork made the cabin a pleasant place. Though not as upscale as the Limited or Calligraphy trims, the XRT demonstrated thoughtful design and high quality for its price point.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was reminiscent of an older generation of SUVs. The V8 provided ample power from a stop, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, but the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds. Merging and overtaking required careful planning, and stopping the SUV also needed more forethought than modern vehicles. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners.

Off-road, the GX 460 excelled with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not powerful enough for quick acceleration, it was adequate for reaching freeway speeds and cruising comfortably. An eight-speed automatic transmission handled shifting smoothly, with pushbutton controls on the center console. The XRT offered Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the ability to lock the AWD system for maximum traction at lower speeds. Hill descent control and automatic brake hold were standard.

The XRT’s ride and handling were composed and refined, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. The SUV’s handling, steering, and braking were competent, providing a secure and controlled driving experience. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine in the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered more power and the same fuel efficiency, while the Santa Fe Hybrid models provided better fuel economy.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics showed its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, felt like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX’s three-row seating was standard, but the third row was best for children and difficult to access.

The GX had 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, less than the Land Rover Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal, making the GX more suitable as a two-row SUV with occasional third-row use.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included dual-zone automatic climate control with a Clean Air ionizer and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was comfortable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered ample space for a family of four, with good legroom, foot room, and comfort. Storage space was adequate, with various nooks and crannies, including a tray under the control bridge and a wireless device charging slot.

The Santa Fe XRT featured a hands-free power-opening “Smart Tailgate,” which could sense the key fob and open automatically. However, it could also open unintentionally. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features. It included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, with a separate display for time and temperature. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs, clean graphics, and logical menus. The XRT also featured Hyundai’s digital key technology, though it was not compatible with Apple iPhones. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a thoughtful addition, and the Santa Fe’s infotainment system was among the best in its segment.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard, but the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The XRT also featured Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. Bluelink added several safety features, including automatic emergency assistance and vehicle speed alerts. 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.