2021 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2021 Toyota Venza, when it was revealed, drew comparisons to a Lexus due to its sleek design. Critics noted its resemblance to the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept, especially with its grille and elongated profile. The Venza was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, and offered seven paint colors. Standard features included LED headlights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior boasted a wireless charging pad, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Higher trims added features like a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a Star Gaze panoramic roof.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, impressed with its value for money. Critics were surprised by its affordable price given the quality and features it offered. The Santa Fe came with two new gasoline engines and a hybrid powertrain, with trims ranging from SE to Calligraphy. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights and grille. Inside, the Santa Fe offered new colors, patterns, and a bridge-style center console. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, stood out with its premium leather and high-tech features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (eCVT) provided smooth acceleration, though it was noisy. The Venza's handling was confident, and it excelled in fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with a 10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims had a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 226 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter focusing on fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine provided a fuel economy of 24 mpg combined, and the SUV offered a refined and athletic driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered a practical and comfortable interior. The cabin featured premium appointments, including piano black capacitive buttons and a deep center console with resizable cup holders. The front seats were accommodating, and the rear seats provided ample comfort for two adults. The Venza had a maximum cargo space of 55.1 cubic feet, which was less than some competitors but sufficient for daily use. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks made arranging the cargo space easy.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, without a third-row seat, provided ample passenger room. All trims included dual-zone automatic climate control, and higher trims offered leather seats and premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with power adjustments and heating/ventilation options. The rear seat was spacious, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The cargo space measured 36.4 cubic feet, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it suitable for family road trips.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system in the LE and XLE trims, while the Limited trim had a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune system, though improved, was not the best in the industry. The Venza included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A nine-speaker JBL audio system was available in higher trims. Toyota's connected services included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect, with dynamic navigation available on models with the larger screen.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display. The basic 8-inch touchscreen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch screen had wired versions and upgraded voice-recognition technology. The Santa Fe featured Blue Link connected services, free for three years, and included remote engine start and climate control adjustments. The SUV also offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist, though it lacked a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included eight airbags, a rearview camera, hill start assist, and parking distance sensors. The suite added a pre-collision warning system, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with an upgrade to automatic braking available in higher trims. The Venza had two full sets of LATCH connections for child seats.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive list of safety features, especially in the Calligraphy trim. The forward-collision warning system included pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist used blind-spot sensors to warn occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists. The rear-occupant alert system detected movement inside the SUV for up to 24 hours. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed video views within the digital instrument cluster. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS with LED projector headlights.