2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a conservative yet attractive design, continuing the look from the previous model year. It was available in five trim levels, with the Calligraphy AWD trim being the top-of-the-line option. The test vehicle featured a Stormy Sea exterior and a black-on-black interior, priced at $45,845. The Santa Fe's exterior was characterized by its wide grilles and thin LED headlights, while the interior, though high-quality, was somewhat dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable, with standard heated and cooled front seats in the Calligraphy trim, and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, carried over its design from the previous year without significant updates. The test vehicle was a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featuring a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels. Priced at $104,715, it included a Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though it went unused by the teenagers in the test. The Navigator's interior was upscale, with real wood trim and chrome accents, but the chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury feel. Ambient lighting added character at night, but the overall ride quality was not as smooth as expected.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost with its eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector offered four modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. The turbocharged model excelled in acceleration and passing power, with smooth handling and minimal body lean. The turbo version could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg combined, but it averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. The SUV offered five drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite. While Excite mode improved handling, it negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with a truck-like feel over smaller bumps and a floating sensation over larger dips. The SUV's size posed challenges in urban environments, making parking and maneuvering difficult.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness and comfort with its two-row configuration, offering 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded cargo capacity to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seating, with eight-way power driver's seats and heated front seats in SEL and higher trims. The Calligraphy trim added luxury features like a head-up display and ambient lighting. However, the driver's seat height adjustment could be problematic for some, and the wide center console limited leg space.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seating across all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo space. The test vehicle featured 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which accommodated taller passengers comfortably. The Navigator offered ample storage space, with large trays and covered compartments. The extended-length Navigator L model provided significantly more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its in-vehicle technology, offering a 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The infotainment system included an 8-inch display in the base trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The voice-recognition system performed well for navigation tasks but struggled with music and temperature commands.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the Sync 4 system. It included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The digital assistant excelled in understanding commands, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. The Navigator also offered Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment, though it was underutilized by passengers.

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 lane-keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and higher trims. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator included advanced safety features through the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise hands-free driving. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions and required frequent driver intervention. The Navigator received a five-star side-impact protection rating and a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.