Hyundai Santa Fe vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. As a fifth-generation model debuting in 2024, it retained its chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The H-shaped LED headlamps were pixelated, aligning with Hyundai's design aesthetic, and the SUV offered vibrant colors like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with the pixelated taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim featured specific wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, and the XRT trim added chrome and black accents. 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 HVAC controls included physical dials, but the fan speed buttons were less intuitive.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt maintained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt straddled the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, offering a single body style for 2027. Its tall and narrow design prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a subtle enhancement. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up center console space. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, with thin padding at elbow touchpoints. The RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, while the rear seating area lacked padding for door armrests.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting duties. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for 231 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft of torque. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag and occasional transmission delays were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, enhancing off-road capabilities with improved approach, departure, and breakover angles.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. A motor from Chevy's Equinox EV provided 210 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft of torque to the front wheels, with 0-60 mph times in the low seven-second range. The Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high brake regeneration levels. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and road noise was more noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt's low center of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. On a full charge, the Bolt offered an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port standard on all models. Charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% recharge in 25 minutes.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's base SE trim offered a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control, and a dual-way center console. The XRT trim added heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet. The Calligraphy trim featured heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system. All trims included a two-level glove box, with upper trims offering a UV-C sanitizer. The Santa Fe boasted the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seat cushions. Cargo space was generous, with 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 79.6 cubic feet with both rows folded. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, accommodating larger items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of 4,500 pounds.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and adequate thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for center-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor in its upper position. While there was no frunk, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with a digital gauge cluster on the top two trims. The system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick response times. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay available on upper trims. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging for two phones. A digital key and fingerprint scanner were available for added security. The Santa Fe offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display on higher trims. Bluelink app connectivity was standard, providing remote access and over-the-air updates.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was easy to use, with logical menus and sharp graphics. The Bolt's navigation system helped locate charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was available, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source for a home.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision avoidance assist. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance assist and Highway Drive Assist. The top trim included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The SEL and above trims featured an expanded driver monitor system. The NHTSA gave the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it as Good in most categories.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not available at the time of writing, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.