2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent a subtle evolution rather than a radical redesign. Its front and side profiles closely resembled the previous generation, with a broad, rounded face and large, unadorned sheet metal. A vertical accent strip under the mirrors distinguished the new model from its predecessor. The rear view saw the most significant change, with thin LED strips replacing the old square taillights, integrated into a darker trim element. The interior was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger tablet-like touchscreen, offering a modern look. Premium leather and rich wood trim elements enhanced the luxurious feel, while the solid build quality impressed with its lack of creaks, even on rough roads.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's exterior styling was more conservative compared to some of Hyundai's recent designs. It maintained the same look and feel as the 2022 model, with a wide upper and lower grille and thin LED headlights as distinctive elements. The Calligraphy AWD trim featured a black-on-black interior with Nappa leather seats, offering a high-quality look and feel. The cabin was dark and monotone, but the beige or gray interior options provided visual contrast. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats standard in the Calligraphy trim, and the second row also featured seat heaters.

The 2022 Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 powertrain provided effortless acceleration, with Land Rover estimating a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile for its size, with well-managed body roll and a calm, composed driving experience. Standard rear-wheel-steering enhanced maneuverability, and the Terrain Response system optimized off-road capability.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 2.5-liter engine, available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The naturally aspirated engine produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version delivered 281 hp and 311 pound-feet. The turbocharged engine provided immediate acceleration with no discernible turbo lag, especially in Sport mode. Handling was smooth, with only slight body lean during cornering. The Santa Fe's dual-clutch transmission performed well, with no low-speed clunkiness. While the Santa Fe wasn't taken off-road, it offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine.

The 2022 Range Rover offered ample space in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats were cushioned for long-distance comfort, with available massage functions. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, and a large center console bin. The second row provided generous space for taller passengers, with power recline and sliding adjustments. The optional third row was accessible with a button, though headroom was limited for adults. Cargo space behind the third row was 17.1 cubic feet, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 93 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded storage to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's seat comfort was a strength, with an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats in SEL and higher trims. The Limited trim featured additional comfort and convenience features, including ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The Calligraphy trim added a head-up display and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof spanned both rows, enhancing the sense of space.

The 2022 Range Rover featured a new 13-inch touchscreen with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system delivered impressive sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Other tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The base SE trim had an 8-inch display audio system, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the larger screen required wired connections. Voice recognition capabilities were mixed, with some difficulty in recognizing commands.

The 2022 Range Rover came standard with frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and a surround-view camera system. These features performed well, with no false alarms. However, the Range Rover lacked some advanced safety features found in rivals.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS, with high ratings in crashworthiness tests.