2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a testament to Land Rover's long-standing tradition of crafting luxury SUVs. It exuded class and elegance, with a design that was both sporty and sophisticated. The Velar's exterior was a masterful blend of the big Range Rover's iconic profile, scaled down into a sleek package. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover grille were unmistakable, while subtle design tweaks like the sloping roof and flush door handles added to its allure. Inside, the Velar's cabin was a study in high-quality materials and exemplary fit and finish, even in the base trim. The three screens, including two touchscreens and a reconfigurable instrument panel, offered sharp graphics and a sophisticated interface.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design, yet it remained an attractive SUV. The Santa Fe continued with the same look as its 2022 predecessor, featuring a wide grille and thin LED headlights that gave it a distinctive appearance. Our test vehicle, the Calligraphy AWD trim, boasted a rich Stormy Sea paint and a black-on-black interior. The cabin, while dark and monotone, was high-quality, with Nappa leather seats that were both comfortable and attractive. The Santa Fe's interior offered generous rear-seat legroom and cargo space, thanks to its two-row configuration. The Calligraphy trim came with a host of comfort and convenience features, including a panoramic sunroof and a head-up display, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in handling and steering that were unlike any previous Land Rover. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight improved cornering and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar also offered an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two states of tune, delivering up to 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The Velar's Terrain Response system provided six driving modes, but its street-focused design limited off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine and a turbocharged version. The non-turbo engine produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged variant delivered 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided brisk acceleration and smooth performance. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector offered four customizable modes, enhancing its versatility. While the Santa Fe wasn't tested off-road, it offered a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine, making it a practical choice for various driving needs.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were frustrating, but the new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a cleaner interface and faster response.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered ample rear-seat legroom and competitive cargo space. It provided 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Santa Fe's interior was comfortable, with features like an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. Higher trims added dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, and advanced parking assist features. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display were standout features, though the driver's seat position and wide center console posed minor inconveniences.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It featured voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and advanced navigation capabilities. The Velar's instrument panel offered customizable displays, though its driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a standard 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The Santa Fe's voice-recognition capabilities were mixed, but its customization options were impressive. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. The safe-exit warning system and rear-seat reminder added to its safety credentials.