2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, leading to today's lineup of sedans and crossover SUVs. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 featured a sleek, forward-tilted stance, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches that emphasized its athleticism. The snub nose and upright grille paid homage to the classic 245 wagon. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" with natural wood and metal trim. The interior boasted exquisite details like a sliding wood tambor cover and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo offered both Nappa leather and a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, with the latter being a sustainable option.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT's new treatment did not impress, lacking a suspension lift and aggressive tires. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. The XRT was one of five gasoline trims, priced higher than SE and SEL but lower than Limited and Calligraphy. It included the SEL's Convenience Package and came with FWD or AWD, starting at $34,095.

Our test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, offered little visual contrast. The AWD model's MSRP was $35,940. Despite the drab exterior, the interior patterns and brightwork made the cabin pleasant. Though not as upscale as the Limited or Calligraphy, the XRT demonstrated thoughtful design and high quality for its price point.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains. The T5 model had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model featured a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, generating a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. T5 models were FWD with optional AWD, while T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90s used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The T5 FWD achieved 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, while the T5 AWD got 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD was rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. Charging took about five hours at 240 volts. The XC90 handled superbly, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Despite its nearly two-ton curb weight, the engine was adequate for freeway speeds and cruising. For more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission handled shifting, with pushbutton controls on the center console. Driving modes included Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with AWD lock and hill descent control.

The XRT averaged 22.3 mpg on a Southern California testing loop, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg. The turbo-four in the Limited and Calligraphy models had the same EPA rating, while the Santa Fe Hybrid offered 32-34 mpg combined and 226 hp. The XRT's ride and handling were composed and refined, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. The Santa Fe's handling, steering, and braking were secure and controlled, though not particularly remarkable. The XRT's cosmetic treatment did not enhance off-road performance.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with captain's chairs or three-across seating in the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, making the XC90 a comfortable sanctuary.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included dual-zone automatic climate control with a Clean Air ionizer and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot room, with rear side-window shades and USB charging ports. Storage space was adequate, with various nooks and crannies, including a tray under the control bridge and a wireless charging slot.

The Santa Fe XRT featured a hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate," which could sense the key fob and open automatically. However, it could also open unintentionally. The Santa Fe offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.1 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded. The rear seatbacks could be released from the back of the SUV but required manual folding.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was occasionally glitchy and slow. Apple CarPlay worked better, and Android Auto was also available. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel was customizable, and the $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, 360-degree camera, and advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon sound system could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 had front and rear USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care app for remote functions.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services with a three-year subscription. The infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. The XRT did not have the upgraded system available in higher trims, but it featured digital key technology for Android smartphones and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert. Bluelink provided remote engine starting, car finding, and safety features.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several features for highway driving assistance. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with Hyundai SmartSense, 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 XRT lacked Highway Driving Assist but had effective adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Junction Turning Detection and Safe Exit Assist were standard, along with an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. Bluelink provided additional safety features. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.