2023 Lexus RX vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Lexus RX was shorter in height, broader in width, and longer in wheelbase compared to its predecessor, yet maintained the same overall length. It offered more cargo space than the 2022 model, though still less than some rivals. The RX appeared smaller due to its reduced rear overhang, softer design lines, and down-sloping black trim on the rear pillar, which created a floating roof effect but also a stubby look. The front featured a better-integrated spindle-style grille with a modern mesh texture, flowing into an elevated hood that swept back into the windshield pillars. The rear added a light-blade taillight design, block lettering for the Lexus name, and a sporty bumper with simulated air vents.

Inside, the RX boasted a modern interior with fewer buttons and knobs. Digital instrumentation and a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display took center stage, with a head-up display available. Natural voice-recognition technology made using the RX’s features easier, though the Intelligent Assistant technology was complimentary for only three years. Quality levels were high, with NuLuxe artificial leather standard and genuine leather available. The RX 350 was available in various trims, including Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and F Sport Handling, with pricing expected to be similar to the outgoing model.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 model, featuring a conservative yet attractive exterior. Available in five trims—SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy—the Santa Fe offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive optional. Our test vehicle, a top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD, had a base price of $42,600, with additional options bringing the total MSRP to $45,845. The Santa Fe's exterior was distinguished by its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, though the design normalized quickly from the front turn signal lamps to the rears.

Inside, the Calligraphy trim featured a black interior with black leather seats, which, while high-quality, appeared dark and monotone. Nappa leather seats were both comfy and attractive, with heated and cooled front seats standard. The second row also featured seat heaters. The Santa Fe offered a high-quality look and feel, with the beige or gray interior options providing more visual contrast. The cabin was spacious, with ample rear-seat legroom and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

During a media event, the 2023 Lexus RX 350 was tested in two versions: one with AWD and Luxury trim, and the other with F Sport Handling trim. Both featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four offered better performance at higher altitudes and slightly improved fuel economy compared to the outgoing 3.5-liter V6, though it lacked the V6's smoothness and refinement.

On a 20-mile driving loop, the RX 350 Luxury displayed occasional torque steer under hard acceleration and excess body motion over undulating pavement. The F Sport Handling trim felt more secure, especially in Sport mode, with its adaptive suspension eliminating most unwanted bouncing and rolling. Both models had 21-inch wheels with 235/50 all-season tires. The RX 350 FWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the AWD version did so in 7.2 seconds. Fuel economy was expected to average 25 mpg for the FWD and 24 mpg for the AWD, though our results were slightly lower.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet. The naturally aspirated engine was paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine used an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD optional on all trims. The Santa Fe also featured a drive-mode selector with four customizable modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart.

The turbocharged Santa Fe provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. Handling was smooth, with only slight body lean during cornering. The turbocharged engine offered brisk acceleration without undue noise or harshness. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 2,000 pounds for the non-turbo version and 3,500 pounds for the turbo, though trailer brakes were required for maximum capacity. Overall, the Santa Fe's performance rivaled that of any other SUV at its price point.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered comfortable seating, though the sport seat bolsters in the F Sport Handling package might have been too snug for some. The RX 350 Luxury featured semi-aniline premium leather upholstery, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The RX 350 F Sport Handling had black NuLuxe simulated leather seats, Dark Graphite trim, and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. Both models provided exceptional comfort, though taller passengers might have found headroom tight in the back seat.

Lexus claimed improved cargo space over the previous-generation RX, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. However, these numbers were still not generous for the segment. The RX also offered useful storage areas front and rear.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe benefited from not having a third row, resulting in more rear-seat legroom and additional cargo space. The Santa Fe's 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom was among the best in its class, and cargo space behind the second row was a competitive 36.4 cubic feet. Folding down the second row provided 72.1 cubic feet of storage space, with an underfloor storage compartment in the cargo area.

Seat comfort was a strength, with the SEL and higher trims featuring an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Limited trim added ventilated front seats, a power driver seat cushion extension, and heated rear seats. The Calligraphy trim included a head-up display, premium door and seat accent trim, a microfiber headliner, and ambient lighting. The extended panoramic sunroof and head-up display were notable features, though the wide center console cut into driver leg and hip space.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite radio, and various connected services plans. Drive Connect, free for three years, included Destination Assist and an Intelligent Assistant natural voice recognition. User profiles could be set up for different drivers, and Apple Music or Amazon Music could be streamed through embedded apps.

The 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system was available, though it required some adjustment for optimal sound quality. Digital instrumentation, Digital Latch door handles, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key smartphone technology were also available. A color head-up display (HUD) was offered, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a standard 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display in SE, SEL, and XRT trims, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, wireless device charging, digital key, and Bluelink connected services. The Limited and Calligraphy trims also included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with clearly marked home screen icons and logical arrangement. Voice-recognition capabilities were mixed, with the system handling address and point-of-interest commands well but struggling with music and temperature requests. The system also had difficulty understanding commands in a quiet environment.

The 2023 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) such as motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance with front cross-traffic alert, and a curve speed-reduction function. New semi-autonomous driving technologies included Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. LSS+ 3.0 proved impressive but had some flaws, such as unmarked adaptive cruise controls and issues with the HUD when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, driver monitoring, a safe-exit system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).