2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative design approach compared to some of Hyundai’s recent models. While it was still an attractive SUV, it lacked the stand-out looks of other models in the brand’s lineup. The Santa Fe continued with the same design as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The exterior featured distinct wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, adding some uniqueness to its otherwise normalized look. The interior of the Calligraphy AWD trim, which was our test vehicle, had a black leather interior that felt high-quality but could benefit from some visual contrast options, like beige or gray interiors available in lower trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showed how far the brand had come from its days of "rolling bricks." The XC90’s purposeful yet understated front end, combined with its assertive grille and modern “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, provided a sophisticated look. The Platinum Gray paint on our test vehicle had rich undertones, and the 21-inch wheels added a touch of drama. The interior of the XC90 was elegant, featuring luxurious materials like two-tone leather, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design, complete with wood deco inlays, offered a clean and stylish appearance.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two types of 2.5-liter engines. 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 producing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, working with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. On our Calligraphy AWD test vehicle, the turbocharged engine provided immediate acceleration with no discernible turbo lag, and its handling was smooth with minimal body lean. The turbocharged Santa Fe could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes, making it highly capable for its class.

By comparison, the 2023 Volvo XC90 replaced its older turbocharged engines with the new B5 and B6 engines, incorporating mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle had the B6 powertrain, which combined a supercharger and turbocharger to deliver 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The integration of mild-hybrid technology improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, even though the gains were minimal. The XC90 provided a pleasant driving experience with quick acceleration, minimal body roll, and well-insulated noise levels. Despite not having an extensive range of drive modes and off-road features, the XC90’s Pilot Assist technology offered supportive and easy driving dynamics.

The Hyundai Santa Fe’s design choice to exclude a third row provided several functional advantages. With a spacious rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and ample cargo space, the Santa Fe excelled in passenger and cargo comfort. It offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which increased to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Additionally, features like an eight-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof added to its comfort and convenience.

In comparison, the Volvo XC90’s interior, while aesthetically pleasing, had some practical shortcomings. The lack of dedicated storage for small items and somewhat awkward second-row adjustments were notable drawbacks. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, but accessing the third row was challenging. Cargo space in the XC90 was smaller, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 65.5 cubic feet with both rows down. These figures fell short compared to competitors, making the XC90 less practical for carrying significant cargo.

Technology was a strong suit for the Hyundai Santa Fe, especially with its infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims came with a 4.2-inch color LCD, while the Limited and Calligraphy featured a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Infotainment options included an 8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen with features such as wireless/wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system in higher trims. Although voice recognition had mixed results, the overall customization and capabilities of the system were impressive.

The Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen running Google OS, becoming the first vehicle to standardize it. Integration of Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant provided a seamless tech experience. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for essential controls and the lack of physical buttons could cause frustration. While the natural-language recognition was excellent, navigating through various functions for basic adjustments detracted from an otherwise impressive system. The benefit of linking the XC90’s tech to Google Home devices was a unique and convenient feature for users engaged in a smart home environment.

Hyundai equipped the Santa Fe with a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping and centering assist, driver monitoring, and a safe-exit system. The Santa Fe earned top safety ratings, receiving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The Volvo XC90 shared a similar commitment to safety, steeped in the brand’s historic innovations. It also received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which contributed to its reputation as one of the safest vehicles on the road.