2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

Volkswagen made subtle styling changes to the 2023 ID.4, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lights up. Despite these updates, the ID.4 didn't look particularly SUV-like, lacking the upright profile and ground clearance typical of traditional SUVs. This could be a drawback for buyers attracted to those features. The ID.4 was based on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and carried over the minimalist and quality-focused interior design from VW’s gasoline models. The base ID.4 Standard model featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts, maintaining a high-quality feel.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a radical new aesthetic, diverging from the sleek, futuristic designs of the Ioniq models. The Santa Fe adopted a boxy shape, which Hyundai’s design chief SangYup Lee described as optimal for storage capacity. Despite its boxy appearance, the Santa Fe was more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessor and featured upscale, head-turning looks. The exterior colors included sophisticated matte options, and the XRT trim added dark chrome and black cladding. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling with options like stain-resistant cloth, synthetic leather, real leather, and quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim. The cargo area was designed for car camping and tailgating, with an extra-wide tailgate and plenty of storage.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery pack options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base Standard and S models with RWD, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models, available with RWD or AWD. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. However, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system did not support one-pedal driving, which might disappoint some EV enthusiasts.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a base 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. FWD was standard, with AWD optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD standard. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road modes. Later in the model year, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine with 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque would be available. The Santa Fe’s fuel economy varied by model, with the FWD base version rated at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The XRT model had extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires, increasing its towing capacity to 4,500 pounds. The Santa Fe Calligraphy provided smooth and stable driving dynamics, while the XRT handled off-road conditions well.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the Kia Niro EV. It had 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The ID.4’s towing capacity was 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made small interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor, with most of the extra space dedicated to the cargo area. The Santa Fe’s design was inspired by the concept of “chabak,” focusing on car camping and tailgating. The cargo area offered 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 40.5 and 79.6 cubic feet with the third and second rows folded, respectively. The Santa Fe’s interior was spacious and welcoming, with options like stain-resistant cloth, synthetic leather, real leather, and quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim. The cargo area included an extra-wide tailgate and plenty of storage. Limited and Calligraphy models featured a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.4’s user interface included sharp graphics, natural-language voice recognition, and the ID.Light ambient lighting system. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting and lacked physical feedback.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a curved panoramic display in the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display in the SE and SEL trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The SE and SEL trims had four USB ports, while higher trims had six USB ports and wireless charging. Hyundai’s BlueLink system allowed for vehicle access and information, with upgraded features on SEL and above trims. The Santa Fe also introduced Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode control.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. For 2023, the ID.4 added standard Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it included a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, and remote automatic parking. The Santa Fe also introduced driver monitoring, combining an infrared camera and capacitive sensors to track alertness and detect if the driver is incapacitated.