2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Porsche Macan

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new treatment. A suspension lift and more aggressive tires would have been more convincing. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. Unless the roof rack was used regularly, it was recommended to skip the XRT and its visual frippery. The XRT was one of five gasoline Santa Fe trims, priced higher than the SE and SEL but lower than the turbocharged Limited and Calligraphy trims. It included all equipment from the SEL and its Convenience Package, with options for FWD or AWD. The test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, had an MSRP of $35,940. Despite the lack of visual contrast, the interior patterns and brightwork made the cabin a pleasant place to be, demonstrating thoughtful design and high quality for the price point.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, introduced in 2015, remained nearly indistinguishable from the original despite regular updates. The 2022 model received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, seven new wheel designs, and a new center console with haptic touch controls and increased storage space. Every model had more power and standard equipment. The Macan lineup included the base model, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the Macan Turbo's high-output powertrain now in the GTS. The Macan S adopted the previous GTS model’s twin-turbo V6. The test vehicle, a Macan S with an MSRP of $87,670, included nearly $20,000 in extras. It looked terrific in Volcano Gray with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, maintaining a taut, athletic look. Inside, the Macan featured a sporty and upscale cabin with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents.

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. With nearly two tons of curb weight, the engine was adequate for freeway speeds and effortless cruising but lacked power for quick acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with pushbutton controls for gear selection. Driving modes included Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with AWD lock and hill descent control. The default Smart mode was suitable for low-demand driving, but the engine struggled on hills and curves. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. Handling, steering, and braking were satisfactory, though the XRT’s cosmetic treatment did not enhance off-road performance.

The 2022 Porsche Macan S featured a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans had a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The Macan S had larger 20-inch wheels and standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive damping. The test vehicle included Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S offered a fun driving experience, with quick and responsive handling. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power, and the dual-clutch transmission delivered precise shifts. The Macan S excelled on twisty roads, with unyielding grip and stability. The test vehicle’s fuel economy was 18.1 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included 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 was comfortable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered plenty of room for a family of four, with generous legroom and foot room. Storage space was adequate, with various nooks and crannies, including a wireless device charging slot. The Smart Tailgate feature allowed hands-free opening but could be overly sensitive. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered comfortable front seats with the optional Premium Package, including 14-way power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers. The new steering wheel, modeled after the 911 sports car, felt thin and uncomfortable after extended driving. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls looked advanced but required looking away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. The test vehicle did not have the upgraded system with voice recognition, but previous experience with the larger 10.25-inch system showed it to be among the best in the segment. The Santa Fe also included digital key technology for Android devices and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM), featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and connected services. The system had touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, with an intuitive user experience. The voice recognition system was less reliable than those in competitors like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The Macan had separate controls for frequently adjusted features, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist were also standard. 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 Porsche Macan included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional. The Macan also offered front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. The Macan did not have safety ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS.