2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The exterior design of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe could be described as conservative compared to some of Hyundai’s other daring models. While the Santa Fe was still an attractive SUV, it lacked the stand-out looks of other Hyundai vehicles. The model had not seen significant changes from the 2022 version, and it was expected that substantial redesigns would come in future iterations, possibly in the 2024 model year.

The Santa Fe was offered in five trim levels—SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) optional across all trims. Our test vehicle was the premium Calligraphy AWD trim, sporting a Stormy Sea color and a black leather interior, priced at $45,845 including all extras and destination charges.

Visually, the 2023 Santa Fe stood out primarily due to its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights. However, the overall design from the front to rear was more subdued. Inside, the black-on-black interior of the Calligraphy trim offered a high-quality look but could feel dark and monotone. Nappa leather seats, standard in the Calligraphy trim, provided excellent comfort and visual appeal. Heated and cooled front seats added to the luxury, with second-row seat heaters as well.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign with more rugged and substantial looks. The new Pilot appeared larger with its upright grille and boxier styling, and indeed, it was physically larger than its predecessor—3.4 inches longer, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller. These dimensions complemented the Pilot's off-road TrailSport model, equipped with all-terrain tires, a taller ride height, and underbody skid plates, making it a more serious off-roader compared to previous models.

The interior of the 2023 Pilot followed conventional styling trends and appeared more functional and versatile. Materials quality remained high, meeting the elevated expectations of its class. The focus on utility over form gave the Pilot a tidy, utilitarian aesthetic that many found preferable to the older generation.

Each 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a 2.5-liter engine, available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims received the naturally aspirated engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. In the Limited and Calligraphy trims, a turbocharger boosted the engine output to 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet, working with an eight-speed “wet” dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The turbocharged Santa Fe felt significantly more powerful on the road, with immediate acceleration and strong passing power, especially in Sport mode. Handling and ride comfort were smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. Although AWD capability was available, our test did not include off-road driving—most owners likely wouldn’t use the Calligraphy trim for serious off-roading. The towing capacity for the turbocharged version was 3,500 pounds, compared to 2,000 pounds for the non-turbo models.

The 2023 Honda Pilot featured an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. While front-wheel drive was standard, AWD was available on all trims and standard on the Elite and TrailSport.

The Pilot offered immediate acceleration and a pleasant engine hum. Handling was stable, though not sporty, as the vehicle prioritized comfort. Steering felt light and appropriate for maneuvering in tight spaces, but it could be too light on the highway, creating a somewhat detached steering experience. The TrailSport trim added an inch of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, enhancing off-road capability without significantly sacrificing on-road comfort. Overall, the Pilot balanced daily family duties with the ability to handle off-road adventures.

One of the Hyundai Santa Fe's advantages was its refusal to squeeze in a cramped third-row seat. This decision afforded more rear-seat legroom and additional cargo space. The Santa Fe boasted 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and a competitive 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second-row seats expanded cargo capacity to 72.1 cubic feet, with an underfloor storage compartment adding extra utility.

Comfort features were abundant in the Santa Fe. Higher trims included dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and more. The Calligraphy trim added luxury touches like a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and ambient lighting.

The Honda Pilot offered a more conventional interior but with practical touches, such as a dash shelf for the front passenger. Higher trims featured larger infotainment screens and additional tech features. The Pilot's significant selling point was its stowable second-row center seat, which could be stored under the cargo floor, creating a convenient pass-through to the third row.

Space was plentiful in the second row, making it comfortable for taller passengers, while the third row was less accommodating for long journeys. The Pilot provided 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded, and a generous 114.3 cubic feet with all rear seats folded—about 30 percent more capacity than some competitors.

The Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, particularly in infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Lower trims featured a 4.2-inch color LCD display, while higher trims like the Calligraphy came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Infotainment options included an 8-inch display on SE trim and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and other features on higher trims. Limited and Calligraphy trims also had a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The Santa Fe's infotainment system was intuitive and customizable, though the voice-recognition capabilities yielded mixed results, particularly in noisy environments.

The Honda Pilot, starting from the EX-L trim, also brought robust technology features. The larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multi-view camera system, navigation, Bose audio, and Wi-Fi were highlights. The Pilot’s CabinTalk feature worked as an interior PA system, and higher trims offered TrailWatch for off-roading awareness.

Hyundai's 2023 Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, Highway Driving Assist, and more. It received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

The Honda Pilot also emphasized safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a host of other assistive technologies. Higher trims added parking sensors, surround-view cameras, and more. During testing, all features performed reliably without false alarms.