2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new treatment. While a suspension lift and more aggressive tires would have been more convincing, the side steps, though useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. The XRT trim, priced higher than the SE and SEL trims but lower than the Limited and Calligraphy trims, included all equipment from the SEL and its Convenience Package, with a starting price of $34,095. The test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, lacked visual contrast, making it appear monochromatic. However, the interior's thoughtful design and high quality for the price point made it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a "modernist" and "reductive" design, which translated to clean and simple aesthetics. The test vehicle, in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, looked elegant and understated. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim exuded luxury. The SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle, priced at $98,420, included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a Cold Climate Pack, a Technology Pack, and a full-size spare tire. The Range Rover Sport featured premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, boasting excellent aerodynamics with a coefficient of drag of 0.29. The interior showcased sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, adding to its luxurious and high-tech appearance.

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 particularly powerful, 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 AWD system could be locked for maximum traction at lower speeds. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. However, the engine struggled on hills and curves, and the XRT's cosmetic treatment did not enhance off-road performance.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SUV could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and tow up to 7,716 pounds. The P400 drivetrain achieved 21 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 22.3 mpg. The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture with a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness and an adaptive damping air suspension. The Dynamic driving mode, cornering brake control, and roll stability control enhanced driving dynamics. However, the SUV felt tall and heavy, with steering lacking involvement and excessive roll in tight curves. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with 11.1 inches of ground clearance, impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a 35.4-inch wading depth.

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 and heated front seats provided comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat offered ample space for a family of four, with generous legroom and foot room. The Smart Tailgate feature allowed hands-free power opening, though it 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 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle included a full-size spare and a handy contraption to prevent items from rolling around.

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 trim did not include the upgraded infotainment system available in higher trims, but it did offer digital key technology for Android devices and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the automatic driver exit assist feature was difficult to disable. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with numerous standard safety features, 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 SUV also had a Junction Turning Detection system, 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driving assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The SUV also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Remote Park Assist was available. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were not as smooth or reliable as expected, especially on freeway curves.