2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe had a differentiation with its new XRT treatment, though opinions on its efficacy were divided. The XRT aimed for a rugged aesthetic, but without a suspension lift or tires with a more aggressive tread pattern, it fell short for many. Side steps, although useful for roof-rack access, often impeded entry and exit and negatively impacted the SUV's breakover angle during off-road attempts.

The Santa Fe came in five gasoline trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy, as well as hybrid models. The XRT, positioned between the mid and higher trims, featured the same equipment as the SEL with the Convenience Package, starting at a price of $34,095 including destination charges.

In our test, the Santa Fe XRT had a subdued Portofino Gray exterior with a black cloth interior. This Lacked color contrast and created a monochromatic appearance, almost like a grayscale photograph. Despite the XRT's armory of rugged-looking add-ons, the interior design quality and thoughtful layout made the cabin bearable.

As for the 2022 Ford Explorer, it offered a diverse lineup with eight trim options ranging from the affordable base model to the high-end King Ranch. Prices for the Explorer spanned from $33,745 to $54,495 before destination charges. The King Ranch trim, which we tested, boasted luxurious touches like Del Rio leather with lasso-perforated inserts and distinctive King Ranch branding.

Visually, the King Ranch stood out with its badges, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. However, it did little to truly differentiate itself from other Explorer trims. The SUV's design, based on a rear-drive platform, had an athletic silhouette with a long hood and a tapering roofline, offering a familiar yet appealing look. Inside, the King Ranch's chocolate-brown and caramel color scheme set it apart, though quality varied, with some questionable materials present for the price.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It wasn't built for speed but proved sufficient for typical driving demands, reaching freeway speeds without significant struggle and maintaining a quiet demeanor on long trips. The Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque for those seeking extra oomph.

An eight-speed automatic transmission handled the gear changes smoothly. The Santa Fe's driving modes—Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow—allowed for some adaptability, with the AWD system's power split aiding in traction. Our Santa Fe XRT averaged fuel efficiency at 22.3 mpg during Southern California testing, which was close to the EPA rating of 24 mpg. Those desiring better fuel economy and performance were encouraged to explore the hybrid models, which offered up to 34 mpg combined.

Ride handling in the Santa Fe was commendable, providing a comfortable and quiet experience with minimal engine noise and an effective acoustic system against road noise. However, it lacked excitement and liveliness in its drive, only awakening some charge when switched to Sport mode.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer King Ranch offered three powertrain options. The standard was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine across the lineup, delivering 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD or 4WD, achieving up to 24 mpg combined.

For better efficiency, the Explorer Limited offered a hybrid drivetrain with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, combining to make 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 5,000 lbs while hitting 27 mpg combined. Meanwhile, power-hungry drivers had the option of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, featuring 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Despite the lower fuel economy at 21 mpg combined, the V6 facilitated impressive towing of up to 5,600 lbs.

Our King Ranch with 4WD showcased powerful acceleration and a satisfying exhaust note. Its ride quality was robust, suitable for minor off-roading, and offered a decent 7.9 inches of ground clearance. The Explorer's handling and cornering were also more engaging, with a sporty appeal in the higher-powered models.

Inside, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was well equipped for comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air conditioning vents. The driver's seat was an eight-way power adjustable and heated, offering long-distance comfort, but the absence of a height-adjustable passenger seat left a gap. Rear seats provided generous space for families, augmented by rear side-window shades, air conditioning vents, and USB ports.

Cargo space in the Santa Fe was practical, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. It could accommodate four full-size suitcases and had additional under-floor storage. The Smart Tailgate system automatically opened when sensing the key fob, albeit sometimes unintentionally. With rear seats folded down, the space expanded to 72.1 cubic feet.

The Ford Explorer King Ranch offered expansive comfort, with a luxurious array of features: triple-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, massaging front seats, and second-row captain’s chairs. However, the tapered roofline and rear-drive platform made the third row cramped and unsuitable for adults.

Storage space in the Explorer was more limited compared to the Santa Fe. The front lacked sufficient practical storage spaces, although the wireless charging pad and well-placed smartphone holder were positives. The cargo volume stood at 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and it reached a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down, which was somewhat greater than the Santa Fe’s overall cargo capacity.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink services with a three-year subscription. The dual 12.3-inch digital instrumentation added a modern touch. While the base system was intuitive and straightforward, those desiring advanced capabilities could opt for the larger touchscreen available in higher trims.

Additionally, the Santa Fe's technology suite included a digital key for Android users and a leading vehicle departure alert system designed to aid drivers distracted by their phones. These high-tech features were notable, even if not all of them worked seamlessly with Apple devices.

For the Ford Explorer, Sync 3 technology was a focal point. The system came in two versions: an 8-inch horizontally-mounted screen or a larger, portrait-styled 10.1-inch display. However, the larger screen integration felt like an afterthought.

Our test King Ranch model was loaded with features such as FordPass Connect for remote engine starting, WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an impressive 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. However, the Sync 3 system showed its age, particularly with voice recognition and command functionalities, leaving it less robust compared to modern competitors. Additionally, the King Ranch included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, adding a useful touch for parking support.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was packed with safety features under the Hyundai SmartSense banner. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features like Junction Turning Detection and Safe Exit Assist added more layers of safety.

The Santa Fe earned top safety ratings, achieving a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, apart from a four-star rollover score.

Ford's 2022 Explorer also held impressive safety ratings, securing a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, it included essential safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Additional safety options came with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable functions added extra layers of safety, particularly beneficial for families with teen drivers. Although NHTSA ratings for 2022 hadn't been fully published, previous models scored highly in most categories.