2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well within the Volvo family thanks to its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, however, did not impress with its new XRT treatment, which included side steps that impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. The XRT was one of five gasoline trims, priced higher than the SE and SEL but lower than the Limited and Calligraphy trims. It came with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and included equipment from the SEL trim and its Convenience Package. The test vehicle, dressed in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, offered little visual contrast. Despite this, the interior patterns and brightwork made the cabin a pleasant place, demonstrating thoughtful design and high quality for its price point.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured one electric motor per axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, and could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 0-60 mph in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads, and was capable of one-pedal driving. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

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. Despite its nearly two-ton curb weight, the engine was adequate for freeway speeds and cruising. For more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. The XRT’s eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes available. The default Smart mode suited low-demand driving, but the engine struggled on hills and during rapid acceleration. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. The XRT’s handling, steering, and braking were satisfactory, though the running boards could detract from performance. The Santa Fe was capable off-road, but the XRT treatment did not enhance this capability.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a standard USB-C port. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a dual-zone automatic climate control system with a Clean Air ionizer and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered ample space for a family of four, with generous legroom and foot room, rear side-window shades, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. Storage space included a tray under the control bridge, dashboard shelf, and wireless device charging slot. The Smart Tailgate could sense the key fob and open automatically, though it sometimes opened 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 down.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Assistant and Google Maps. It also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge had OTA update capability for the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, instead allowing the driver to shift out of park with the key fob present.

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 did not have the upgraded infotainment system available on higher trims, but it included digital key technology for Android smartphones and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert. Bluelink provided remote engine starting, car finding, and other features. The XRT’s infotainment system was easy to use, with wireless smartphone connectivity reducing clutter.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with numerous standard safety features in the Hyundai SmartSense collection, 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. The XRT lacked Highway Driving Assist but performed well with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Junction Turning Detection and Safe Exit Assist were also standard. The ultrasonic rear occupant alert system monitored the interior for movement and could respond to a baby waking up. Bluelink provided additional 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.