2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 presented a unique blend of ruggedness and sleekness, inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models while maintaining its distinct appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that leaned more towards a fastback than a traditional SUV. The ribbed detailing added a muscular profile, and the Sport Prestige models boasted unique styling features like big vents, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's elliptical theme, inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, offered a minimalistic yet luxurious design with a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller, and a variety of interior color options.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new treatment, which lacked a suspension lift and aggressive tires. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit. The XRT was one of five gasoline trims, priced between the SE/SEL and the turbocharged Limited/Calligraphy trims. Our test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, offered little visual contrast. Despite this, the interior patterns and brightwork provided a pleasant cabin experience, though it lacked the upscale feel of higher trims. The XRT demonstrated thoughtful design and quality for its price point.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more common in sporty coupes. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for spirited driving, though the GV70's chassis and steering lacked the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride and lacked the solidity expected from a luxury vehicle.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. While not powerful, it was adequate for freeway speeds and cruising. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with pushbutton controls for gear selection. The Santa Fe offered Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the default Smart mode suited for typical driving. The engine struggled on hills and curves, and Sport mode helped by holding gears longer. Our 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.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The Sport Prestige test car featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

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 offered comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided ample space for a family, with generous legroom and foot room. Storage space was adequate, with a tray under the control bridge and various nooks. The Smart Tailgate feature allowed hands-free power opening, though it could open unintentionally. The Santa Fe offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital key feature and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation and other features for three years.

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. The system was simple to use, with large knobs and clean graphics. The XRT lacked the infotainment upgrade available on higher trims, but digital key technology allowed Android smartphone use as a key. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a thoughtful addition, though the XRT did not include the larger touchscreen or premium sound system available on other trims.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with numerous standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist were notable features. 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.