2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe marked a departure from Hyundai’s conservative design approach, showcasing a daring, bold, and futuristic exterior. Although its design wasn't entirely unique, resembling the Jeep Cherokee's upper LED daytime running lights and mid-level headlight clusters, Hyundai’s execution was perceived as more effective. Beyond the striking outer appearance, the Santa Fe’s cabin combined practicality with modern aesthetics, characterized by earthy tones, a distinctive speaker pattern, and a composite inlay that seamlessly extended from the door into the dashboard. The woven headliner added texture, making the Santa Fe's interior both functional and stylish. Offering trims like SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited, and Ultimate, Hyundai varied the features across the lineup, ranging from 17-inch alloy wheels and manual seat controls in the SE to rain-sensing wipers, memory settings, and ventilated front seats in the Ultimate.

In contrast, the 2019 Honda CR-V featured a simpler yet appealing design. The base LX came with 17-inch aluminum wheels, while higher trims offered body-color trim, larger 18-inch wheels, and rear privacy glass. The CR-V’s overall styling, particularly the rear, exuded an upscale feel, though the front design received mixed reviews. Inside, the CR-V was lauded for its material quality, thoughtful layout, and the two-tone tan-over-black interior treatment in the test vehicle. Despite the abundance of hard plastic, it resisted looking cheap. The EX, EX-L, and Touring trims enhanced the interior further, adding features like heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a premium sound system.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder producing 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder delivering 235 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. These engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The base engine was considered sluggish, while the 2.0T provided robust acceleration. The Santa Fe’s 7.2 inches of ground clearance limited off-road capabilities, but the low stance contributed to better handling and reduced body roll. The AWD variant, with a locking differential, offered extra traction in challenging conditions. Driving dynamics were well-balanced, with responsive steering and a drive mode selector featuring Sport, Comfort, and Smart settings. The 2.4-liter FWD Santa Fe achieved up to 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the AWD turbo model managed 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

The 2019 Honda CR-V presented a straightforward engine lineup: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder in the LX producing 184 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder in higher trims generating 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to a CVT, available in FWD or AWD. The turbo engine offered better responsiveness and acceleration. However, it had issues in extremely cold weather, potentially leading to fuel mixing with engine oil, although remedies were available in some states. Real Time 4WD operated primarily in FWD, shifting power to the rear wheels when needed, suited for slippery conditions rather than off-roading. With up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, the CR-V combined its MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear setup for a connected, composed ride. Test averages showed 27.7 mpg, slightly less than the EPA’s 29 mpg combined estimation.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered 71 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, slightly less than the compact CR-V’s 75 cubic feet. With the rear seats up, it provided 35.9 cubic feet, compared to the CR-V's 39.2 cubic feet. A hands-free power liftgate was available, allowing easy access without needing to balance on one leg. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted various storage compartments, enhancing its practicality despite the slightly smaller cargo capacity.

The 2019 Honda CR-V excelled in spaciousness and storage. It featured a comfortable and spacious rear seat, suitable for taller adults and accommodating three kids comfortably. Dual air vents and USB ports were appreciated by passengers. The CR-V also offered extensive storage solutions, including a large glove box and center console bin. Cargo space behind the rear seats was 39.2 cubic feet, expandable to 75.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, providing ample room for larger items and luggage.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe incorporated a "floating" infotainment screen design, complemented by hard buttons and dials for user convenience. The base SE trim included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like wireless charging, a head-up display, and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen. The Ultimate trim, tested, featured rear USB ports and a wall-style power outlet.

The 2019 Honda CR-V's EX trim and above significantly upgraded the infotainment system, including a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and HondaLink connected services. While improving, Honda’s system still lacked a tuning knob and had occasional issues with virtual buttons and voice recognition. Navigation was optional on the EX-L and standard on the Touring trim. A premium sound system came standard on the Touring model.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of safety features called Smart Sense, standard across all trims. This included forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Rear cross-path detection with visual cues in the instrument panel and Safe Exit Assist System added to the vehicle’s safety credentials.

The 2019 Honda CR-V featured Honda Sensing on all trims except the LX. This suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a road-departure mitigation system. The EX trim and higher included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V achieved a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with headlights being the only area not rated as Good.