2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, priced at $42,083, was a fully-loaded model that didn't visually distinguish itself from a standard rental car RAV4. Despite its high price, it lacked the larger wheels found on the non-hybrid RAV4 Limited and didn't offer an Adventure trim level. The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough exterior look, but it needed bolder wheels to enhance its appearance. Inside, it was stylish and practical, though the quality was inconsistent, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. A rattle from the license plate on the tailgate was a minor annoyance.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, priced at $35,940, featured Portofino Gray paint and a black cloth interior, resulting in a monochromatic look. The XRT trim, one of five gasoline Santa Fe trims, included equipment from the SEL trim and its Convenience Package. The interior, though not as upscale as the Limited or Calligraphy trims, demonstrated thoughtful design and high quality for its price point. The Santa Fe XRT's cabin was a pleasant place to spend time, with good patterns and brightwork enhancing the overall experience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, producing 219 horsepower. The rear electric motor provided standard AWD. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. It weighed between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, making it feel lively when accelerating, though the engine sounded unpleasant when revving. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 39.7 mpg during testing. The CVT operated transparently, and the regenerative braking system was smooth. The RAV4 Hybrid's ride and handling were favorable, though the tires lacked grip, and it performed well on roads and light off-road terrain.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It wasn't particularly fast but was adequate for freeway speeds and cruising. An eight-speed automatic transmission handled shifting, with Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes available. The AWD system could be locked for maximum traction at lower speeds. The Santa Fe XRT averaged 22.3 mpg during testing, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. The Santa Fe's handling, steering, and braking were secure and controlled, though not particularly exciting. The XRT trim's cosmetic enhancements didn't improve off-road performance.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom and foot space were decent, with reclining backrests and heated cushions. The dashboard was well-arranged, with large climate control and stereo knobs. Storage was accommodating, with useful shelves and a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats provided comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot room, with rear side-window shades and USB charging ports. Storage space was adequate, with various nooks and crannies. The Smart Tailgate feature allowed hands-free opening, though it could be overly sensitive. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The top-shelf system included an 11-speaker JBL audio system, dynamic navigation, and various connected services. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition was mostly accurate, and the JBL sound system was satisfactory. Camera-based technology included a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was simple and user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. The XRT trim didn't include the upgraded infotainment system available on higher trims, but it did offer digital key technology for Android smartphones and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. The infotainment system was easy to use, and the wireless smartphone connectivity reduced clutter.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim, and rear automatic braking was available on the Hybrid Limited. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included Hyundai SmartSense, featuring 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. The XRT trim didn't have Highway Driving Assist but performed well with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Additional safety features included 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.