2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Acura RDX

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT’s aesthetic fell somewhat flat for many. The XRT treatment, intended to give the Santa Fe a rugged appearance, did not impress, partly due to the absent suspension lift and lack of more aggressive tires. The side steps, though functional for roof rack usage, often impeded entry and exit, reducing the overall practicality of the vehicle in off-road situations.

In terms of trims, the XRT was one among five gasoline models, nestled between the SE and SEL trims at the lower end and the turbocharged Limited and Calligraphy trims at the higher end. It included all equipment from the SEL and its Convenience Package, available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Starting prices for the XRT began at $34,095, including a destination charge of $1,295.

Our test vehicle donned Portofino Gray paint with a black cloth interior, and the XRT treatment added little contrast, making it look monochrome on an overcast day. The MSRP for this AWD-equipped test vehicle, with additional floor mats, totaled $35,940.

Inside, the XRT struck a balance with thoughtful design and high-quality materials for its price point, albeit not as upscale as the Limited or Calligraphy trims. The cabin, with its subdued patterns and brightwork, remained a pleasant environment for travel.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX required a closer look to spot the subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model. These included updates to the grille surround, bumper styling, wheel designs, and paint colors. Exclusive to the PMC Edition, the RDX sported Long Beach Blue Pearl paint with an Orchid White interior, showcasing the bespoke nature of its hand-built manufacture.

The PMC Edition topped the 2022 RDX lineup, with starting prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300, excluding a $1,045 destination charge. Our evaluation focused on the new-for-2022 A-Spec Advance package, featuring Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, with a total MSRP of $53,645.

Despite higher pricing, the RDX A-Spec Advance strived to justify its cost with high-quality materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin. While the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia might not please everyone, the overall styling of the RDX maintained a flair that stood out among its rivals.

The performance of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was designed to keep the cost down. Equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, the Santa Fe XRT handled daily tasks adequately despite its nearly two-ton curb weight. It could reach freeway speeds by the end of an on-ramp and cruise comfortably at posted limits.

For more power, consumers needed to look at the Limited or Calligraphy trims, which boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.

An eight-speed automatic transmission managed the shifting seamlessly, controlled via simple pushbutton controls on the center console. Various driving modes like Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow were available, with the option to lock AWD for better traction at lower speeds. Hill descent control and automatic brake hold were also standard features.

Despite the transmission optimizing fuel economy, the engine showed its limitations under specific conditions such as hills or quick acceleration out of corners. Switching to Sport mode helped somewhat, but for a more responsive powertrain, the hybrid or turbocharged options from Hyundai were recommended. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg on testing routes, slightly below the EPA’s 24 mpg rating. The hybrid models, providing 226 horsepower, promised significantly better fuel efficiency, around 32-34 mpg combined.

Ride and handling for the Santa Fe XRT were respectable, with good suspension isolation and a quiet cabin due to acoustic front-side windows. Though occasional bumpy or stiff rides were felt, the overall steering and braking performance ensured secure control. Off-road capabilities remained at a baseline level as the XRT treatment was largely cosmetic.

Conversely, every 2022 Acura RDX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, delivering a sprightlier and enjoyable driving experience. However, our test vehicle only managed an average of 20.6 mpg, missing the EPA-rated 23 mpg target.

The standard 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters operated smoothly, and driving enthusiastically, even with additional sound-deadening measures, made the paddles less engaging.

The RDX offered front-wheel drive as standard on base and mid-level trims, with Acura's SH-AWD system available on higher ones. The torque-vectoring SH-AWD made sharp handling on winding roads particularly engaging.

Acura revised the RDX's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) for 2022, which refined driving mode differences. The adaptive-damping suspension, standard with higher trims, provided smoother rides in Comfort mode and sharper responses in Sport mode.

Noise reduction enhancements contributed to a quieter ride, making the RDX a quieter alternative in its class. Despite this, the RDX fell short of achieving genuine high performance, leaving driving enthusiasts looking at German competitors for true thrill rides.

Interior space in the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included features like dual-zone automatic climate control with a Clean Air ionizer, and rear AC vents. The XRT’s eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, clad in stain-resistant fabric, ensured comfort and proper driving posture, although the non-adjustable height front passenger seat posed an inconvenience for some.

Rear seats offered ample room and comfort, suitable for families, with additional features like rear side-window shades and USB charging ports. Storage in the front included various nooks and crannies, especially the hard-to-access tray under the control “bridge.”

The Santa Fe XRT boasted a Smart Tailgate that could sense the owner’s presence and open without foot-waggling, though sometimes overly sensitive to balance on uneven ground. Cargo capacity stood at 36.4 cubic feet, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with rear seats folded, enough for considerable luggage and other cargo needs.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being in the compact SUV category, offered sufficient roominess for four adults under its standard panoramic sunroof. The RDX featured a sporty interior design with dramatic positioning of controls and a learning curve for its unique layout, like the True Touchpad Interface (TTI). The A-Spec configurations introduced metallic gauge faces that could be hard to read in low light.

The 12-way power-adjustable, heated front seats provided comfort and support, with optional ventilation. The thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, along with dual-zone climate control, were driver-centric features. However, the rear seats lacked the same level of comfort, focusing more on creating a flat cargo load floor.

The RDX included a standard power liftgate with optional hands-free operation. Cargo space was 29.5 cubic feet, extending to 58.9 cubic feet with rear seats folded, complemented by under-floor storage compartments.

Technology-wise, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Standard features were Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The simplicity of the system’s layout and functionality made it user-friendly.

Wireless smartphone connectivity helped reduce the clutter from charging cables. While the test model lacked voice recognition systems, higher trims offered upgrades like a larger screen and premium Harman Kardon sound systems. Additionally, Hyundai’s digital key technology allowed Android smartphones to be used as vehicle keys.

The RDX’s TTI paired a 10.2-inch display with a sectioned touchpad controller, which required some getting used to. The learning curve compared to traditional touchscreens was a significant drawback due to its non-intuitive operation.

Despite the TTI's complexity, the RDX added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, satellite radio, and AcuraLink connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims included navigation, and sound systems ranged from a nine-speaker setup to an impressive 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D system with higher trims, making for a rich auditory experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with an extensive Hyundai SmartSense suite including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. Despite lacking Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist, the adaptive cruise control with lane-centering worked well during tests.

Additional safety highlights included Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, rear occupant alert, and Bluelink’s emergency and monitoring services. The Santa Fe XRT's systems worked accurately, ensuring enhanced safety. The vehicle earned top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Acura RDX also received notable safety updates with structural improvements for side-impact protection, continuing its pursuit of retaining the Top Safety Pick+ rating. It introduced rear seatbelt reminders and enhanced the AcuraWatch suite with added pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking.

While AcuraWatch systems showed reasonable accuracy, testing revealed occasional issues such as false warnings in certain lighting conditions. The RDX also earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA, though with mixed ratings across specific tests.