Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

It’s easy to discount the value of a family sedan with so many crossovers on the road. But the fact is that this body style makes a lot of sense for a lot of families. The more manageable and maneuverable the vehicle, the better for teaching budding young drivers. Lighter weight also translates to better fuel economy, not to be sneered at when there are mouths to feed and tuitions to pay. And your typical midsize sedan is plenty spacious for four.

Fortunately, automakers have not forgotten about the venerable family sedan, keeping one another on their toes with updates, and it’s consumers who stand to benefit from that sort of healthy competition. Now, it’s the 2024 Hyundai Sonata’s turn for a mid-generation refresh.

Verdict: We already liked the Sonata Hybrid, and this refresh only improves it. The styling update and generous standard feature set make it a compelling choice, and the real automatic transmission is a virtually unique selling point.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid comes equipped with a hybrid four-cylinder powertrain, impressive safety tech, and plenty of cargo space. Although the Santa Fe hybrid may not look as modern as some of its primary competitors—namely the Kia Sorento Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe—it remains a sensible choice, priced below all of those other options.

Verdict: We recommend the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid to shoppers who value safety, cargo space, and fuel efficiency over the latest tech features or the newest styling trends.