2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it lacked the standout looks of other vehicles in the brand's lineup. This design approach was expected to change with the anticipated 2024 redesign. For the 2023 model year, the Santa Fe continued with the same look as the 2022 version, offering five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in a Stormy Sea color with a black interior, had a base price of $42,600, with additional costs for AWD and other features bringing the total MSRP to $45,845. The Santa Fe's distinctive styling elements included wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, while the interior, though high-quality, was dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats in the Calligraphy trim were both comfortable and visually appealing, with standard heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the model year, was tested in Santa Barbara, California. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid versions were the focus, with the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid arriving later. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, in Iridium silver, featured 21-inch wheels and a subtle design, lacking hybrid-specific badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The RX models maintained a blunt-nosed appearance, with a wheelbase stretch and signature rear roof pillar design affecting the visual balance. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic design with fewer controls and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Pricing for the 2023 RX models was not announced, but estimates suggested the RX 350h Luxury would be just over $60,000, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance around $70,000.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine and a turbocharged version. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims featured the naturally aspirated engine, producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Limited and Calligraphy trims came with a turbocharged engine, delivering 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector offered four modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. The turbocharged engine provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The turbo version could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new powertrain lineup. The RX 350h featured a hybrid system with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an expected 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance used a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with a 27 mpg combined rating. The RX 500h included an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control. The RX 500h's performance was engaging, with athletic handling and responsive power delivery. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and fuel economy fell short of estimates. The RX 350h offered better fuel efficiency, averaging 32 mpg, and provided a secure and quiet driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness by forgoing a third row, resulting in ample rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and competitive cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded storage to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's seat comfort was a highlight, with power-adjustable and heated front seats in higher trims. Features like dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, and Remote Smart Parking Assist added convenience. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display were appreciated, though the latter required navigating menus for adjustments. Some minor drawbacks included limited driver seat height adjustment and a wide center console affecting leg space.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered comfort and practicality. The RX 350h Luxury featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way adjustable seats with larger bolsters. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat provided good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space improved to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded, surpassing the previous model but still trailing some competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, offering a range of infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims featured a 4.2-inch color LCD display, while the Limited and Calligraphy trims had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Infotainment options included an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base trim, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The system's customization capabilities were impressive, though voice recognition had mixed results.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The Lexus Interface included Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. The system performed well, though it had limitations, such as single-screen menu viewing and reflections on the display. The head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel posed challenges, especially for those wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above trims. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including new motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. While some features worked well, others, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The driver monitoring system could be obstructed by certain driving positions.