2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Lexus GX

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in five trims, maintained its chunky, boxy design from its 2024 debut. Its long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose gave it a distinctive presence, complemented by H-shaped LED headlamps that aligned with Hyundai's design aesthetic. The SUV offered vibrant color options like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue, standing out from the typical grey and white shades. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal, affecting the overall visual balance. Each trim featured specific wheel sizes, with the off-road-focused XRT adding chrome and black trim. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Calligraphy trim, which offered captain's chairs. The interior ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather, though some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The inclusion of physical HVAC dials was appreciated, but the fan speed buttons were less user-friendly.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign for 2024, presenting a striking new look reminiscent of classic Land Rover models. Its boxy shape, accented by LED headlights and a well-proportioned grille, gave it a robust appearance. The GX 550 Overtrail+ test vehicle featured 33-inch tires on matte grey 18-inch wheels, rock rails, and a distinctive Earth color. Inside, the GX exuded luxury with quality switchgear, chic dashboard design, and ample headroom. The seats, made of stitched black and tan faux leather, offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. Visibility was excellent, aided by tall windows and an elevated ride height. The head-up display was adjustable, enhancing the driving experience. Overall, the GX combined elegance with practicality, making it a standout in its class.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. It offered both FWD and AWD options, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for 231 horsepower. The Santa Fe provided stable handling and firm braking, but the gear selector's stalk design required acclimation. The XRT trim, with 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, improved off-road capabilities but wasn't suited for rugged terrain.

The 2025 Lexus GX, equipped with a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6, delivered 349 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft of torque. Its full-time 4WD and 10-speed automatic transmission provided robust performance, achieving 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds despite its 5,666-pound weight. The GX excelled in highway merges and off-road conditions, though fuel economy was a downside, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The GX's adaptive dampers and suspension system offered a smooth ride, while its off-road prowess was demonstrated in challenging terrains. The Overtrail+ trim added features like a locking rear differential and crawl control, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of features across its trims, with the base SE providing essentials like a hands-free liftgate and dual-zone climate control. The XRT trim added heated front seats and a sunroof, while the Calligraphy trim included premium features like heated second-row seats and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe boasted the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seats. Cargo space was generous, with up to 79.6 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded. The wider liftgate opening facilitated loading bulky items, and most trims could tow up to 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered spacious interiors, with headroom ranging from 39 to 41 inches and legroom of 41 inches in the front and nearly 37 inches in the second row. The GX's cargo space was impressive, with up to 90.5 cubic feet available in the Overtrail trim. Its towing capacity of 9,063 pounds made it suitable for adventurous pursuits. Despite its size, the GX was easy to maneuver and park, with dimensions comparable to competitors like the Land Rover Defender 110 and BMW X5. The GX's design balanced interior space with a manageable footprint, making it a practical choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also offering a digital gauge cluster. The system was user-friendly, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims included additional features like Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging. The digital key feature allowed phone or Apple Watch access, and a fingerprint scanner added security. The Santa Fe offered a digital rearview mirror and head-up display on higher trims, while the Bluelink app provided remote connectivity and over-the-air updates.

The 2025 Lexus GX's infotainment system was intuitive, with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with seamless pairing. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system provided good sound quality, though highway noise required higher volume levels. The GX featured multiple USB-C ports for connectivity, with the Overtrail trims offering fewer ports. The spacious armrest storage included air conditioning, adding convenience. Overall, the GX's technology package was comprehensive and user-friendly, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like rear parking collision avoidance and Highway Drive Assist. The system's performance varied, with occasional abrupt braking in traffic. The top trims included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with some areas rated as Acceptable.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and other driver-assist features. The system performed smoothly, even on challenging roads. The GX included a 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras, enhancing visibility. While not yet rated by safety organizations, the GX was equipped with 10 airbags for occupant protection. Its comprehensive safety features and user-friendly systems made it a reliable choice for safety-conscious buyers.