2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new treatment. The lack of a suspension lift and more aggressive tires made it less convincing for off-road enthusiasts. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, hindered entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle. The XRT trim, priced between the SE/SEL and Limited/Calligraphy trims, offered little visual contrast with its Portofino Gray paint and black cloth interior. Despite this, the interior's thoughtful design and quality were commendable for the price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Telluride boasted a muscular design with balanced proportions and trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. Kia made minimal changes to the grille pattern and added new badges for 2022. The Telluride's interior was well-organized and upscale, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents and USB ports in the front seatbacks. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, enhancing the luxurious feel. The Telluride's interior was spacious, with comfortable seating for adults in all three rows, although the third row was less preferred.

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. While not a powerhouse, it was adequate for freeway speeds and cruising. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes available. The XRT's ride and handling were composed, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. However, the engine struggled on hills and lacked responsiveness in certain situations. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg.

The 2022 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for various driving conditions. The eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD with Lock mode offered good performance on different terrains. The Telluride's ride quality was smooth, with a brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system enhancing handling. The SUV returned 21.1 mpg during testing, matching the EPA estimate for combined driving. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for hauling.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered 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 and heated front seats provided comfort, though the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat was a drawback. The rear seats were spacious, with ample legroom and foot room, and included rear side-window shades. The Smart Tailgate feature was convenient but sometimes opened unintentionally. The Santa Fe provided 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale interior design and practical features like grab handles and overhead air vents. The SX Prestige package added premium materials, including Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. The Telluride's three rows of seats were comfortable, with a one-touch sliding and folding mechanism for easy access to the third row. The SUV offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87 cubic feet with the seats folded. The flat load floor made it easy to transport large items.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. The XRT lacked the upgraded infotainment system available in higher trims, but it included digital key technology for Android devices. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a thoughtful addition for distracted drivers.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and voice recognition. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wire, the system included Kia Connect with a one-year free trial. Kia Connect offered features like remote engine start, safe teen driving alerts, and home-to-car smart speaker integration. The Telluride also had a Quiet Mode and Driver Talk function for managing audio settings. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a head-up display.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. 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.

The 2022 Kia Telluride featured Kia Drive Wise, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist technology worked well, though the Smart Cruise Control-Curve system was less popular. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS.