2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. Despite its understated appearance, it remained an attractive SUV. The 2023 model continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 version, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in Stormy Sea paint with a black-on-black interior, had a base price of $42,600, with additional costs bringing the total MSRP to $45,845. The Santa Fe's wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights were its most distinctive exterior features. Inside, the black interior with black leather seats in the Calligraphy trim was high-quality but dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable and attractive, with standard heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design. New wheel designs and colors, along with a rear VW logo that lit up, were also introduced. The ID.4, based on VW’s MEB platform, had a minimalist interior design with a quality feel. The base ID.4 Standard model, despite having a manual driver’s seat, did not feel like a significant downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard. The ID.4's interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console and a better phone spot. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a 2.5-liter engine in two versions: naturally aspirated and turbocharged. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims had a naturally aspirated engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged engine with 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD optional on all trims. The turbocharged engine provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The turbo version could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the non-turbo could tow 2,000 pounds.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models offered 295 hp and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version had impressive acceleration but allowed too much body roll for truly entertaining handling on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system did not support one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for new EV drivers.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row increased storage to 72.1 cubic feet, with additional underfloor storage. The SEL and higher trims featured an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Limited trim added ventilated front seats, a power driver seat cushion extension, and heated rear seats. The Calligraphy trim included a head-up display, premium door and seat accent trim, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display were notable features, though the wide center console limited driver leg and hip space.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 provided more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The ID.4's towing capacity was 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. Interior changes for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console and a better phone spot. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a standard 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display in SE, SEL, and XRT trims, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The base SE trim had an 8-inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, wireless device charging, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was customizable, though voice recognition had mixed results.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, but voice recognition made them mostly redundant. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation cues, though it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, driver monitoring, a safe-exit system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4's standard driver-assist features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.