2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, presented a striking, almost menacing appearance with its eradication of chrome and a paint job that turned it into a rolling black hole. However, it quickly accumulated dust, making it look drab and old. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from two decades ago. Inside, the cabin maintained Lexus's legendary quality with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere, only interrupted by the faint roar of the V8 engine.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's exterior styling was more conservative compared to some of Hyundai's recent designs. The test vehicle, a top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD trim in Stormy Sea paint, had a base price of $42,600. The Santa Fe's wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights gave it a distinctive look, but the overall design was more subdued. Inside, the black-on-black interior of the Calligraphy trim was high-quality but dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable and attractive, with heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats, making it a pleasant place to be.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 5,126-pound curb weight, relied on a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. However, its 7.8-second run to 60 mph was leisurely, and its fuel economy was a dismal 16 mpg in combined driving. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped improve stability and off-road capability, but the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided brisk acceleration and smooth handling. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector offered four customizable modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. While the non-turbo version could tow 2,000 pounds, the turbo model could tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Santa Fe's performance was impressive for its class, with smooth acceleration and minimal engine noise.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various environments. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. However, the rear seat access was tricky, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space. The GX's cargo capacity was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered ample rear-seat legroom at 41.7 inches and competitive cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo area to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with the SEL and higher trims featuring an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Limited trim added ventilated front seats, a power passenger seat, and heated rear seats. The Calligraphy trim included a head-up display, premium trim, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof and smart liftgate added to the convenience and comfort.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over the previous model. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. However, the stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them difficult to use. The GX also offered a dual-screen view and excellent voice recognition technology. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a standard 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. The infotainment system included an 8-inch display in the base SE trim and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation in higher trims. The system offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, wireless device charging, and Bluelink connected services. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Santa Fe's voice recognition system had mixed results, but its overall technology package was impressive.

The 2022 Lexus GX, with its aging structure, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it came with Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, driver monitoring, a safe-exit system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, making it one of the safest vehicles in its class.