2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was presented in Santa Barbara, California, where its redesigned models were showcased. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid versions were the focus, with the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid not available for testing. Visually, the RX 350h was nearly indistinguishable from the standard RX 350, save for a badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered stunning, with a blunt nose and a wheelbase stretch that made it appear smaller. Inside, the RX featured a minimalistic design with improved infotainment and contemporary textures, offering a luxurious feel with options like Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe embraced a bold new design, departing from the sleek aesthetics of its Ioniq siblings. The Santa Fe's boxy shape was optimized for storage, with a focus on elegance and premium appeal. Its aerodynamic efficiency was surprising, given its shape, and it garnered attention with its upscale look and sophisticated color palette. The XRT trim added dark chrome and black cladding, while higher trims featured larger wheels. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims showcasing luxurious materials. Despite some hard surfaces, the interior was mostly padded and comfortable, with a cocooning fabric headliner adding a touch of decadence.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed 32 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance boasted a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. However, its fuel economy was lower, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering provided a dynamic driving experience, while the RX 350h offered a quieter ride with better fuel efficiency.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's base powertrain was a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It offered FWD as standard, with AWD optional, except for the XRT trim, which had standard AWD. The Santa Fe also featured a 1.6-liter hybrid engine with 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy varied, with the hybrid achieving up to 36 mpg combined. The Santa Fe's driving dynamics were smooth and stable, with some body roll in turns. The XRT trim excelled off-road, thanks to its ground clearance and robust tires.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and a three-zone climate control system. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power seats with larger bolsters and standard leather. The battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but reduced headroom. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a longer wheelbase and body, with most of the extra space dedicated to the cargo area. The design was inspired by "chabak," emphasizing comfort for car camping and tailgating. The first and second rows were spacious, with options for bench or captain's chairs. The cargo area offered 14.6 cubic feet, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with seats folded. The Santa Fe also introduced a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, a feature conceived during the pandemic.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant, though it had some limitations. The touchscreen was large but could only display one menu at a time, and reflections were an issue. The head-up display with dual-function control pads was distracting, especially with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's cabin featured a curved panoramic display, enhancing the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. The touchscreen was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The system included a Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Hyundai's BlueLink system allowed for keyless access, and Hyundai Pay offered secure payment options. The Santa Fe also introduced a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Proactive Driving Assist was available, though some features were less refined. The Traffic Jam Assist system allowed for low-speed, hands-free driving, and Advanced Park was an optional semi-autonomous parking technology.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not been crash-tested, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The base SE trim included adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a driver monitoring system. The Calligraphy trim included a head-up display and upgraded collision avoidance systems.