2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Honda CR-V

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new XRT treatment. The lack of a suspension lift and more aggressive tires made it less convincing for off-roading. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle. The XRT trim, priced between the SE/SEL and Limited/Calligraphy trims, included all SEL equipment and the Convenience Package, with a starting price of $34,095. 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's thoughtful design and quality were commendable for the price point.

The 2023 Honda CR-V, with its blunt nose, long hood, and stretched wheelbase, adopted a cleaner and slightly meaner look compared to its predecessor. The conservative styling was expected to age well. Both the CR-V EX and EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass. The EX-L offered leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob, while the EX had cloth upholstery. The dashboard, modeled after the latest Civic, featured metal mesh trim and a digital instrumentation display. The EX-L trim added a larger touchscreen infotainment system, power-adjustable front passenger seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and power rear liftgate. Prices started at $31,110 for the CR-V EX FWD and rose to $35,260 for the CR-V EX-L AWD, with the test vehicle priced at $36,900.

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. Despite its nearly two-ton curb weight, the engine was adequate for freeway speeds and road trips, sounding refined when accelerating and undetectable when cruising. For more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with pushbutton controls for gear selection. The Santa Fe offered Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with AWD lock for maximum traction. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and quiet highway performance. The XRT's handling, steering, and braking were satisfactory, though the running boards detracted from off-road performance.

The 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which was noisy during hard acceleration. Despite this, the CR-V offered a well-executed and dynamically satisfying driving experience, with refined suspension, steering, and brakes. The CR-V handled speed bumps, broken pavement, and curves with ease, though the CVT's noise detracted from the overall experience. The test vehicle achieved an average of 29.1 mpg, with an EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured 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, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered ample space for a family of four, with generous legroom and foot room. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was convenient but could open unintentionally.

The 2023 Honda CR-V claimed to be the roomiest yet, though the driver's seat felt low. The second row was more spacious, with a high seating position and ample legroom. The EX-L trim included rear air conditioning vents, but USB charging ports were extra-cost accessories. The CR-V offered 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage trays and grocery bag hooks were useful for organizing cargo.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT had 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 did not have the upgraded infotainment system available in higher trims, but it included digital key technology for Android devices and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the EX trim, with large knobs and clearly marked buttons. The EX-L trim added a 9-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system. The top-of-the-line CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid offered additional features like a Bose premium sound system and navigation with real-time traffic.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came 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 with stop-and-go capability. The XRT also had Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. 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 2023 Honda CR-V featured Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The CR-V also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a seatbelt reminder system, rear-seat reminder system, driver monitoring system, and traffic sign recognition system. The new Traffic Jam Assist system provided added driving assist in low-speed situations. The CR-V's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and new front airbag designs aimed to enhance occupant protection. The 2023 CR-V had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.