2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while stepping into the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new platforms, leading to the current XC90, which launched in 2016 as the flagship SUV on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. The XC90's exterior was marked by a sleek roofline and pronounced wheel arches, giving it an athletic stance. The interior was a showcase of "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's design was more conservative compared to some of Hyundai's recent models, yet it remained an attractive SUV. The Santa Fe continued with the same look as the 2022 model, available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Calligraphy AWD trim, with its Stormy Sea paint and black interior, offered a high-quality look, though somewhat dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats standard in the Calligraphy trim. The Santa Fe's exterior featured distinctive wide grilles and thin LED headlights, while the interior offered a choice of beige or gray to add visual contrast.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 250 horsepower, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp, and the T8 plug-in hybrid combining gasoline and electric power for a total of 455 hp. The T5 models were available in FWD or AWD, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. The XC90's driving experience was notable for its minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model, which provided smooth power delivery and fun driving dynamics.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 2.5-liter engine, available in naturally aspirated form with 191 hp or turbocharged with 281 hp. The turbocharged engine, available in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, offered a significant performance boost with immediate acceleration and no turbo lag. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, and the turbocharged model provided brisk acceleration without undue noise. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean, and it offered towing capabilities of up to 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six- or seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row, which was best suited for children. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 85.7 cubic feet with all seats folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and a panoramic moonroof enhancing the airy feel. The air-conditioning system performed well even in high heat and humidity.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, designed as a two-row SUV, provided generous rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seating, with power adjustments and heating available in higher trims. Convenience features included dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display were highlights, though the driver's seat position and wide center console could be minor drawbacks for some.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. While the system offered tablet-like functionality, it was occasionally slow to respond. The XC90 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a Bowers & Wilkins audio upgrade available. The Advanced package added a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system. The XC90 also provided USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care app for remote vehicle control.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 4.2-inch display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital cluster in higher trims. The infotainment system ranged from an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base trim to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The system offered extensive customization, though voice recognition was mixed. The Santa Fe included wireless charging, a digital key, and Bluelink connected services.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist for highway driving. It received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, underscoring its safety credentials.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe also boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and Highway Driving Assist. It earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, with high marks for crashworthiness and headlight performance.