2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe carried a conservative yet attractive exterior design, particularly in comparison to some of Hyundai's flashier recent models. Its aesthetics were set to see a change likely by the 2024 model year, but for 2023, it continued with the same styling as the 2022 model. The five-passenger SUV came in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy, with front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option for all trims.

Our test vehicle, a top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD trim, sported Stormy Sea paint, a rich dark blue, paired with a black-on-black interior. We noted that while the black interior exuded a high-quality feel, it was somewhat dark and monotone. The interior could benefit from the beige or gray options available in lower trim levels, which would provide a more pleasing visual contrast.

Particularly appealing were the Nappa leather seats in the Calligraphy trim, both comfortable and attractive, with standard heated and cooled front seats. The second row also had heated seats, adding to the vehicle's overall comfort. With a base price of $42,600, additional charges for AWD and carpeted floor mats, and a $1,335 destination charge, the total manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for our test vehicle reached $45,845.

Contrarily, the 2023 Toyota Sienna sought to shed its minivan roots by borrowing styling cues from Japanese bullet trains, which made the front-end styling quite distinctive. Even with the seemingly car-like crossover aesthetic taking over many SUVs, the minivan format offered undeniable advantages like larger cargo capacity, easy access, and creative interior features. The Sienna offered various trim levels, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, Limited, and Platinum. A special 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim also debuted in 2023, sitting just below the Limited in terms of price.

Our test vehicle was a Platinum trim model, which we found to be exceptionally well-appointed with high-quality brown leather upholstery and beautiful wood-grain accents on the center console. Toyota aimed to appeal to practical family needs with features like standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate starting from the XLE trim level, making the Sienna an attractive choice for value-conscious shoppers.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a 2.5-liter engine available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. SE, SEL, and XRT trims featured a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The Limited and Calligraphy trims, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, working with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Driving the turbocharged Calligraphy trim revealed impressive performance. The additional 90 horsepower over the non-turbo version significantly enhanced acceleration and passing maneuvers, particularly in Sport mode. Turbo lag was virtually nonexistent, and the brisk acceleration was accompanied by a smooth, quiet engine experience. Handling was generally smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, while the drive-mode selector offered four modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, having transitioned to a hybrid-only format in its fourth generation, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and, in AWD trims, a third rear-mounted electric motor. This configuration delivered a net system horsepower of 245, which felt somewhat underpowered for the Sienna's size and weight. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a less-than-pleasant engine sound during acceleration.

While the hybrid powertrain struggled with acceleration, the Sienna excelled with its nimble chassis and light steering. City driving was particularly effortless thanks to its tight turning radius, and it handled highway cruising with ease. The Sienna offered drive modes including EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport. However, EV mode proved largely impractical as the gas engine continually engaged, and Sport mode did little to impact the overall driving experience.

Hyundai's decision to forgo a cramped third row in the Santa Fe favored spaciousness and comfort. The 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row were among the best in the midsize SUV class. Folding down the second row expanded the cargo capacity to 72.1 cubic feet, with an additional underfloor storage compartment enhancing usability. The SEL and higher trims featured dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, heated front seats, and more. The Calligraphy trim added luxury touches, including a head-up display, premium accent trim, and ambient lighting.

The Sienna, with its minivan layout, offered superior interior storage solutions and impressive cargo space. It provided 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and expanded to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded into the floor. Total cargo space reached 101 cubic feet, though it fell short of some competitors due to the Sienna's non-removable and non-foldable second-row seats. Despite this, the second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, featuring extending ottomans and long tracks for adjustable legroom. The interior also boasted cubbies, bins, and shelves galore, with additional spaces tailored for various needs.

In the technology department, the Santa Fe excelled with its array of infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Base trims came with a 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The SE trim included an 8-inch display audio system, whereas all other trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more. Higher trims also came with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Although the voice-recognition system showed mixed results, overall customization and functionality were notable.

Conversely, the Sienna utilized Toyota's older infotainment interface, which lacked modernity but retained vital functionalities like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Seven USB ports were available, but both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection. The interface felt outdated and quirky, particularly in accessing specific software like Android Auto. Nonetheless, a 9-inch touchscreen seemed adequately sized, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system impressed with its sound quality.

Safety was a strong suit for both vehicles. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came standard with a plethora of ADAS such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. In crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ designation for 2022.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota Sienna was well-equipped with safety features including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also earned a five-star rating from NHTSA, and while the 2023 model was yet to be rated by IIHS, the identical 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ award. Toyota's competitors also earned high safety ratings, with feature sets focused on family-friendly elements such as Honda's CabinTalk intercom system and Chrysler's FamCam rear-seat camera.