2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored a classic Land Rover look over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors set parallel to the ground, with steeply angled fittings like the windshield and lower front bumper. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices for consumers.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over luxury, with interiors coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, featuring exposed screws and plain air vents, which maintained the Defender's hardcore character. While the build quality was excellent, the Defender's price tag, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, seemed excessive to some. However, its popularity indicated that many buyers appreciated its unique appeal.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a departure from Hyundai's recent design trends, opting for a boxy shape that emphasized storage capacity. This design choice, explained by Hyundai's design chief SangYup Lee, aimed to make the box elegant and premium-looking. The Santa Fe's aerodynamic efficiency and upscale appearance turned heads, even in unexpected places like a rural Tennessee general store. A sophisticated palette of exterior colors, including matte options, and anodized-finish badging added to its allure. The XRT trim level featured dark chrome and black cladding, while higher trims boasted larger wheels.

Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims showcasing a mix of hard and soft materials. The interior was designed to be both functional and luxurious, with features like a soothing fabric headliner. The Santa Fe's interior was well-received, with few faults found during test drives, making it a strong contender in the midsize SUV market.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle challenging trails, though most owners would not use its full capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less refined, with noticeable body roll, slow steering, and wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the four-cylinder engine was less impressive. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning poor ratings of 14/19/16 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT trim adding off-road capabilities. A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was also available, providing 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the base FWD model was rated at 20/29/24 mpg, with the hybrid achieving 36/35/36 mpg. The XRT trim offered increased towing capacity and off-road capability, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was exceptional as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered optional third rows. The 130 model provided up to eight seats, with features like a separate moonroof, air vents, and USB ports for rear passengers. Cargo space varied across models, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender's versatility extended to its off-road capabilities, with options like a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe focused on cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The design was inspired by the concept of "chabak," emphasizing car camping and tailgating. The cargo area featured an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows were spacious and comfortable. The Santa Fe offered a choice of seating materials, from stain-resistant cloth to plush quilted Nappa leather. Cargo space was generous, with 79.6 cubic feet available with seats folded. The Santa Fe also introduced innovative features like a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen and optional 11.4-inch screen were user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. Heated front seats, a proximity key, and power-folding mirrors were standard. Higher trims offered additional features like air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display in higher trims, offering intuitive controls and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo and Wi-Fi hot spot. The SE and SEL trims featured a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen. Hyundai's BlueLink system provided vehicle access and information, with Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner available in higher trims.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing but lacked ratings from U.S. agencies. It featured six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not been crash-tested by U.S. agencies but offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard equipment included adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a driver monitoring system.