2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, unlike some of Hyundai's more striking designs, sported a more conservative exterior. While it retained an attractive appearance, it didn't stand out as much as some of its brand siblings. This subtlety, however, was sure to change with the expected redesign for the 2024 model year.

The 2023 Santa Fe continued the styling of the 2022 model, offering five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. With standard FWD but optional AWD across all trims, it catered to varied driving preferences. Our test model, the top-tier Calligraphy AWD, showcased a sophisticated Stormy Sea (a deep blue) exterior with a black-on-black interior. The SUV had a base price of $42,600, with AWD adding $1,700 and carpeted floor mats an additional $210. Including the $1,335 destination charge, the total MSRP stood at $45,845.

From the front, the Santa Fe’s wide upper and lower grilles marked its identity, a trait common within the Hyundai lineup. Thin LED headlights added to its distinctiveness. The design streamlined as you moved towards the rear, leaving a normalized yet stylish look.

Inside, the Calligraphy trim's black leather seats, though of high quality, made the interior appear rather dark and monotone. A beige or gray alternative might break the monotony and enhance visual appeal. The Nappa leather seats were both comfortable and visually pleasing, with heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats offering a touch of luxury suitable for variable spring weather.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered six trims, ranging from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more lush RAV4 Limited, with two off-road centric trims in between. The design, persistent from the 2019 model, particularly highlighted the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, distinguished by their two-part face.

Our test model, the Adventure trim, featured a more aggressive grille with a centrally positioned Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and robust black cladding around the wheel arches. However, these elements lent more to style than substance.

The interior of the Adventure trim included orange accents on seats and console trim, breaking the simplicity of the otherwise basic cabin. A frameless rearview mirror added a touch of premium feel. For more luxurious comfort, the Toyota Venza, sharing the same platform but with a car-like experience, would be a better bet.

Standard trims ranged from fabric seats in LE and XLE to the synthetic leather (SofTex) upholstery in the XLE Premium. The higher-end trims showcased heated, ventilated, and adjustable front seats, with available amenities such as heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's performance variants began with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission in the SE, SEL, and XRT trims. The Limited and Calligraphy trims received a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine generating 281 horsepower and a robust 311 lb-ft of torque, connected to an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission.

FWD came standard while AWD was optional, coupled with a drive-mode selector featuring Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes. The turbocharged powertrain provided a significant performance boost with immediate acceleration and seamless passing power, especially noticeable in Sport mode. Engine noise was minimal, and the ride smooth, with minor body lean during sharp maneuvers. Although not tested off-road, the Calligraphy’s AWD offered 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 delivered a consistent 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While this setup was noisier compared to some rivals, it outperformed CVT systems like those in the Honda CR-V. Despite having AWD capability in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, only the latter truly embraced off-road performance with all-terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension.

The AWD variants included a Snow Mode, adding functional versatility. The Adventure trim's performance, though competent on paper, leaned more towards "adequate" rather than "exciting."

Hyundai’s decision to skip the cramped third-row option for the Santa Fe resulted in extra legroom and cargo space. The rear-seat legroom, measuring 41.7 inches, positioned Santa Fe as a leader in its class. The cargo area provided 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Additionally, underfloor storage enhanced cargo management.

Higher trims like the SEL and above featured amenities such as an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a smart liftgate. The limited and Calligraphy trims boasted features like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and the Remote Smart Parking Assist. The panoramic sunroof was a notable plus, though some adjustments required navigating complex vehicle settings rather than simple physical controls.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered 41 inches of front and 37.8 inches of rear legroom, slightly trailing the Santa Fe. Its cargo capacity, at 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded, fell short of the Santa Fe’s spaciousness, though still practical. Headroom and hip room varied as per trim and presence of a moonroof.

Toyotas focus on practicality was evident in its cabin storage solutions, including a long shelf above the glove compartment and functional door pockets. While the front-row center cupholders and lever-style gear shifter added to utility, rear passengers received relatively less headroom compared to front cabin occupants.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, offering a mix of infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The base SE trim housed a 4.2-inch color LCD, while higher trims sported a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Infotainment options ranged from an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the SE trim to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with comprehensive connectivity features in SEL and above trims, though the top trims required wired connections for CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Harman Kardon premium audio system in the Limited and Calligraphy trims delivered impressive sound quality. However, voice-recognition tests yielded mixed results, struggling mainly with non-driving-related commands like changing music or adjusting cabin temperature.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 vastly improved its infotainment by introducing newer systems with OTA updates. A standard 8-inch touchscreen was upgraded to a 10.5-inch display in Limited and TRD Off-Road trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our Adventure trim included a high-end JBL Premium audio system, enhancing auditory experiences. However, the upgraded multimedia system incurred additional costs.

Standard driver-information displays varied by trim, with the Limited trim offering a 12.3-inch screen adaptable to TRD Off-Road.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe demonstrated robust safety with a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS, including forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Highway Driving Assist, standard from the SEL trim, utilized adaptive cruise control and stop-and-go features for smoother driving experiences.

Crash tests by NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS gave it the "Top Safety Pick+" accolade for 2022, lauding the crashworthiness and advanced lighting systems.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 sported an extensive safety feature lineup. Standard across all trims were lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, high-beam LED headlights, and pedestrian detection. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite included adaptive cruise control operational below 20 mph and on higher trims, enhanced driver aids like rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.

The RAV4 performed excellently in IIHS evaluations, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" award for 2023 due to superior crash-test results and advanced safety features.