2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Toyota Venza

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 the Limited/Calligraphy trims, offered little visual contrast with its Portofino Gray paint and black cloth interior. Despite this, the interior design was thoughtful and of high quality for its price point, though not as upscale as higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza presented a sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a Lexus than a typical Toyota. Its contoured body and tapering rear roofline gave it a unique appearance, avoiding the awkward bulges seen in other models. Inside, the Venza borrowed from the RAV4 but with upgraded materials and details, approaching Lexus-level luxury. The dashboard and center stack were similar, but the Venza featured better-integrated climate controls and more soft-touch surfaces, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. While not built for speed, it was adequate for freeway cruising and sounded refined during acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed smoothly, with pushbutton controls for gear selection. The Santa Fe offered various driving modes, including Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for better traction. The ride was composed and quiet, with excellent suspension isolation and minimal road noise. However, the engine struggled on hills and lacked responsiveness, making the turbocharged engine in higher trims a more appealing option.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing 219 horsepower. The hybrid system provided immediate acceleration, with the gasoline engine blending seamlessly for additional power. The Venza reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The ride prioritized comfort over sporty handling, with light steering and adequate maneuverability. The Venza's ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, absorbing most road imperfections well.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered a dual-zone automatic climate control system 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 provided 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 occasionally opened unintentionally.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats provided ample space, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were spacious, with abundant legroom and foot room. However, the Venza offered only 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included 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. Hyundai's digital key technology allowed Android users to unlock and start the vehicle, while the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system helped prevent traffic delays.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system offered sharp graphics and quick responses. A Wi-Fi connection and remote vehicle monitoring were available, with the Limited trim offering a Drive Connect subscription. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included Hyundai SmartSense safety features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist added extra safety layers. 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 Toyota Venza received five stars from the NHTSA in overall and side crash protection, with four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick rating. The Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a digital rearview mirror.