2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. It featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, with a focus on Parametric Pixel elements that gave it a concept car vibe. The interior was a stark contrast, offering a serene "Living Space" with sustainable materials and a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative exterior design, maintaining the same look as the 2022 model. The five-passenger SUV was available in five trims, with the Calligraphy AWD trim offering a luxurious black-on-black interior. The Santa Fe's cabin was high-quality but dark, with Nappa leather seats providing comfort and a range of features enhancing convenience and luxury.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims and two drive configurations. The base SE Standard Range had a 128-kW rear motor producing 168 hp and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models featured a 168-kW rear motor with 225 hp and a 303-mile range. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but a reduced range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 offered a smooth ride with four drive modes, including a Sport mode that added excitement but reduced range. Paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking, and the vehicle was notably quiet due to sound-deadening features.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a 2.5-liter engine in two versions: a naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. The turbocharged engine provided immediate acceleration and smooth performance, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe had a drive-mode selector with four modes and paddle shifters for added sportiness. The turbocharged version could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the non-turbo could tow 2,000 pounds. The Santa Fe's performance was smooth and quiet, with minimal body lean during cornering.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with 106.5 cubic feet of passenger space. The Ioniq 5's interior was comfortable and spacious, with a moveable center console and leatherette seats that were both supportive and cushioned.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row increased storage to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with higher trims offering power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The Calligraphy trim featured a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and ambient lighting, though the wide center console limited driver leg space.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured advanced technology, including a high-voltage system with vehicle-to-load capabilities and ultra-fast charging. It could reach 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 also had a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, and 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 4.2-inch color LCD in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. The infotainment system ranged from an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base trim to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The voice-recognition system had mixed results, but the infotainment system was highly customizable.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of ADAS that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. It also featured Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, though official ratings were not yet available.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured Highway Driving Assist on higher trims. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS, with high marks in all crashworthiness tests.