2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, emphasizing clean and simple lines. It offered limited flashy options, such as a Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels, but generally maintained an understated luxury. The test vehicle featured Eiger Gray paint, silver wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack, exuding elegance without being ostentatious. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim highlighted its luxurious appeal. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with a starting MSRP of $98,420. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic efficiency.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that prioritized storage capacity. This design choice was a nod to Hyundai's focus on technology and efficiency, with the Santa Fe offering a more upscale and attention-grabbing appearance. The vehicle's sophisticated color palette and anodized-finish badging added to its premium look. The interior featured premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims offering a mix of soft and hard materials, creating a comfortable and luxurious environment. The Santa Fe's design was both functional and elegant, appealing to those seeking a unique and practical SUV.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver engagement, offering a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The SE Dynamic model delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the SE P360 provided 355 hp and 369 lb-ft. A plug-in hybrid option, the Autobiography P440e, offered 434 hp and an estimated 51 miles of electric range. The Range Rover Sport was also available with a 523-hp twin-turbo V8 in limited editions. The SUV's performance was supported by an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. It achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined, with real-world tests showing up to 25.1 mpg. The vehicle's architecture improved torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned competitors on twisty roads, though it excelled off-road with impressive ground clearance and advanced terrain management systems.

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, except for the XRT trim, which included AWD. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT 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. The Santa Fe's fuel economy varied by drivetrain, with the hybrid achieving up to 36 mpg combined. The XRT trim offered increased ground clearance and towing capacity, making it suitable for light off-road adventures. On-road, the Santa Fe delivered smooth and stable performance, with some body roll in turns. The XRT trim excelled in off-road conditions, comparable to other rugged SUVs in its class.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier access, and the front seats provided comfort with 20-way power adjustments and optional massage features. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage solutions included a deep bin under the center armrest and a handy contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe emphasized cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body dedicated to storage. The design was inspired by "chabak," focusing on car camping and tailgating. The third row was snug, but the first and second rows were spacious, with options for bench or captain's chairs. Upholstery varied by trim, from stain-resistant cloth to plush Nappa leather. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with seats folded. Roof rails supported 220 pounds, and a new grab handle aided loading. Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Meridian audio system offered up to 29 speakers, and Active Noise Cancellation enhanced the driving experience. A wireless charging pad was included but difficult to access.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display in higher trims, with intuitive controls and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo and Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch display. Hyundai's BlueLink system allowed for keyless access, and Hyundai Pay enabled secure transactions. The Santa Fe also introduced a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It also featured a surround-view camera and Remote Park Assist. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist were not as smooth or reliable as expected, especially on freeway curves.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not been crash-tested but included a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard equipment included adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera, remote automatic parking, and a head-up display. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai with driver monitoring, enhancing safety by tracking alertness and hand placement.