2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

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 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 exterior featured distinctive wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, but the rest of the design was more subdued. Inside, the black interior with Nappa leather seats offered a high-quality feel, though it was somewhat dark and monotone. The Calligraphy trim included heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats, providing comfort in varying weather conditions.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50, a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, showcased a fresher design with broader proportions, square wheel arches, and fake air vents. It was available in eight trim levels, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition emphasizing an active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic. The CX-50's earthy color palette and Terracotta leather upholstery added to its appeal. The interior design was pleasing, with an infotainment screen on a shelf and impressive material quality. However, the CX-50 didn't fully meet Mazda's upscale aspirations, with standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models. Despite these limitations, the CX-50 offered a sensible layout and adequate storage space.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version delivering 281 hp. The turbocharged engine, available on Limited and Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost with 311 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission contributed to smooth acceleration and handling. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, enhancing its versatility. The turbocharged version excelled in acceleration and passing power, with no noticeable turbo lag. The Santa Fe's towing capacity ranged from 2,000 pounds for non-turbo models to 3,500 pounds for turbo versions, requiring trailer brakes for maximum capacity.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 shared its powertrains with the CX-5, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharging on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower, while the turbo version offered 256 hp on 93-octane gasoline. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. The CX-50's handling was more aligned with other models in its segment, lacking the sporty dynamics of the CX-5. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, while the roof platform contributed to wind noise. Despite these challenges, the CX-50 remained well-mannered, making it a suitable daily driver.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness with its two-row configuration, offering 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded cargo capacity to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seating, with SEL and higher trims providing an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Limited trim added ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a power driver seat cushion extension. The Calligraphy trim included a head-up display, premium accents, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display were notable features, though the driver's seat height adjustment posed minor challenges.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom. It provided 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded. The CX-50's cargo area was less accommodating for dirty or bulky items, and the optional roof platform was high for easy access. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space and a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the center console. While some competitors offered more cargo space, the CX-50's design remained practical for everyday use.

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 Limited and Calligraphy trims. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch display in the base SE trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system's graphics were clear, and the interface was user-friendly, though voice-recognition capabilities had mixed results.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled by a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but provided physical feedback for easier use. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, appealing to buyers seeking simplicity.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above, enhancing driving ease. The Santa Fe 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 Mazda CX-50 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received a lower score for nighttime pedestrian detection and standard headlights. The NHTSA provided partial ratings, with a five-star frontal crash-test rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, with optional features like rear automatic braking and a 360-degree camera system.