Hyundai Santa Fe vs GMC Yukon

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a chrome lover's dream. Even the base SLE model featured enough shiny elements to give it a premium look. As you moved up to the Denali trim, the chrome became even more prominent, with the front end almost entirely covered in it. The Denali's massive, multi-dimensional grille, reminiscent of an industrial-sized cheese grater, gave the vehicle a unique and commanding presence. The 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels on our test vehicle, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with the available second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale color combo, adding layers and textures for a premium look.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's exterior styling was more conservative. The five-passenger SUV continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Our test vehicle, a top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD trim, featured Stormy Sea paint and a black-on-black interior. The Santa Fe's wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights gave it a distinctive look, but the overall design was more subdued. Inside, the Calligraphy trim offered a high-quality look and feel, with Nappa leather seats that were both comfortable and attractive. Heated and cooled front seats were standard, and the second row also featured seat heaters, making the Santa Fe a comfortable and practical choice.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, standard on all trims except the Denali. The Denali and AT4 trims came with a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A new 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, available on all trims except the AT4, delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and the Max Trailering Package. The Denali trim, with its 6.2-liter V8, had an 8,200-pound tow rating. The independent rear suspension provided better handling and a smoother ride, especially for third-row passengers. However, our test vehicle exhibited some unwelcome bouncing over rutted pavement under acceleration.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 2.5-liter engine, available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The naturally aspirated engine, found in SE, SEL, and XRT trims, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine, available in Limited and Calligraphy trims, delivered 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbocharged Santa Fe offered brisk acceleration with no discernible turbo lag, making it a joy to drive. The non-turbo version provided adequate performance, but the turbocharged engine took things to another level. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with only slight body lean during cornering maneuvers. The turbocharged version could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the non-turbo version had a 2,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided ample first- and second-row passenger space, with significant improvements in third-row legroom, increasing from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches. Cargo space behind the third row also increased to 25.5 cubic feet. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. Our test vehicle featured power-folding second-row buckets and power fold-flat third-row seats. The power-sliding center console revealed additional storage space and a hidden storage drawer for valuables. Power-retractable, illuminated assist steps made it easier to get in and out of the vehicle, though they could be challenging to keep clean in wet conditions. Pushbutton transmission controls replaced the traditional gear shifter, located to the left of the infotainment touchscreen.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom, among the best in its class. Cargo space behind the second row was a competitive 36.4 cubic feet, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The SEL and higher trims featured an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Limited trim added a power driver seat cushion extension, ventilated front seats, an eight-way power passenger seat, heated rear seats, rear side-window sunshades, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. 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 standout features, though adjusting the display height required navigating vehicle-settings menus. The wide center console provided ample storage but could encroach on driver leg and hip space.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came standard with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center, providing access to phone, audio, and navigation functions. The Denali trim featured a 15-inch multi-color head-up display, the largest in its class, providing driving speed, speed limit, audio information, and safety aids. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless phone charging, and an available WiFi hotspot. Our test vehicle's Bose 14-speaker audio system was adequate but didn't meet our high expectations. The rear-seat media system, part of the Denali Ultimate Package, featured dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens compatible with various media formats.

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, HD Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB ports. Higher trims included 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 came with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system's home screen icons were clearly marked and logically arranged, though navigating sub-menus could be time-consuming. Voice-recognition capabilities were mixed, handling address and point-of-interest commands well but struggling with music and temperature adjustments.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite of driver aids, including automatic emergency braking with front pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, following distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Pro Safety Plus package, available on SLE and standard on SLT and above, added lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Our test vehicle featured a Safety Alert Seat and an adjustable rear camera mirror. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with 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, standard on SEL and above, combined adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and the highest rating of "Top Safety Pick+" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with Good ratings in all crashworthiness tests.