2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it lacked the standout looks of other vehicles 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 Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in a Stormy Sea color 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 exterior featured wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, giving it a distinctive look, though the rest of the design was more subdued. Inside, the black interior with Nappa leather seats provided a high-quality feel, though it was somewhat dark and monotone. The seats were comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats standard in the Calligraphy trim.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV marked a significant evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based origins to a car-based crossover and now to an EV-specific platform. Built around the General Motors Ultium component set, the Blazer EV shared a long wheelbase with the Cadillac Lyriq, though its proportions made it appear more like a stretch limo. The Blazer EV's design featured a tall hood, a scowling front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights, giving it a more aggressive look than rival electric SUVs. It launched in LT and RS trims, with different styling elements for each, and a forthcoming SS model promised unique features. The interior of the RS and SS models included large round air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel, with optional red leather upholstery adding a fun feel. While some interior parts felt flimsy, the Blazer EV mostly avoided the piano-black plastic trend seen in other brands.

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 for the SE, SEL, and XRT trims, and a turbocharged version for the Limited and Calligraphy trims, delivering 281 hp and 311 pound-feet. 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, and the dual-clutch transmission operated without the clunkiness often associated with such systems. While the Santa Fe wasn't tested off-road, it offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine, provided trailer brakes were used.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a single-motor RWD and a dual-motor AWD powertrain in the LT and RS trims. The RWD model produced 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD version had 288 hp and 333 lb-ft. A forthcoming SS model promised 557 hp and 648 lb-ft, with a WOW launch mode for rapid acceleration. The Blazer EV's RWD model felt traction-limited, while the AWD version provided stronger off-the-line performance. The Blazer EV's handling was precise, though the stiff suspension compromised comfort. The steering-wheel paddle allowed for adjustable regenerative braking, adding a level of driver involvement.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's decision to forgo a third row resulted in more rear-seat legroom and cargo space, with 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded storage to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's interior offered comfort and convenience features, including an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Calligraphy trim added a head-up display, premium trim, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof was a highlight, though the driver's seat position could be awkward for some.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's interior felt spacious, though headroom and legroom were similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The Blazer EV's cargo space was less than the gasoline Blazer, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.1 cubic feet with seats folded. It offered a "presence activated" liftgate but lacked a frunk. The interior included small-item storage, though some controls were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. Infotainment options included an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base trim, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired smartphone connectivity, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The voice-recognition system had mixed results, handling navigation commands well but struggling with music and temperature adjustments.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a Google-based infotainment system with built-in Google apps, though it lacked standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, with built-in route planning and OTA updates. The user experience was generally good, though the touchscreen's angle could be inconvenient for passengers. The Blazer EV also offered a hands-free start sequence, marking a shift toward a high-tech feel.

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, and more. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with high ratings in crashworthiness tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included reverse automatic braking and the Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system.