2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of trim levels, including Essential, Preferred, Luxury, and Ultimate, with the latter two featuring a turbocharged engine for enhanced performance. All-wheel drive was standard on most Canadian trims, except for the Essential, where it was optional. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a distinctive grille, stacked lighting, and unique fender shapes, which might not appeal to everyone. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colours, though the materials didn't quite match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V had a familiar and fun design, with soft, curvy lines reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. Its styling leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern family vehicle. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims. However, some low-quality plastics reminded drivers of its commodity car roots. The CR-V's design was practical and straightforward, with five trim levels and standard all-wheel drive on all but the base LX trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre engine, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was the preferred choice, offering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided better performance, especially at higher altitudes, and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency varied depending on the engine and drivetrain, with the turbocharged AWD model consuming 12.0 L/100 km in the city. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, though it lacked driver engagement.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The CR-V's CVT was well-tuned, providing a responsive and smooth driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight contributed to its excellent performance. Fuel efficiency was a strong point, with FWD models rated at 7.7 L/100 km combined and AWD models at 8.1 L/100 km. The CR-V's light weight and efficient powertrain made it a top performer in its class for non-hybrid models.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with thoughtful attention to detail, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The test vehicle featured comfortable, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof added to the interior's appeal. The rear seats were comfortable, with reclining options and heated cushions in higher trims. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seats and 2,019 litres with the seats folded. The hands-free smart liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and packaging, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. The seating position provided excellent visibility, and the cargo compartment was spacious, with a two-position load floor for flexibility. The CR-V offered 1,065 litres of cargo space in higher trims and 1,110 litres in others. Clever storage solutions, like the deep centre console and large door pockets, made the CR-V practical for everyday use. The CR-V's design made it easy to accommodate passengers and cargo, enhancing its appeal as a family vehicle.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo control knobs, and shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features. The Preferred trim added SiriusXM and Blue Link connected services, while the Ultimate trim featured a larger display, navigation, wireless charging, and a premium sound system. The head-up display and sophisticated voice recognition system enhanced the driving experience, making technology a strong point for the Santa Fe.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but felt tacked on. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the back. The Touring and Black Edition trims included a wireless phone charger. While the CR-V's technology was functional, it lagged behind competitors in terms of user-friendliness and integration.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a safe choice, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Preferred trim added a safe exit assist system and an ultrasonic occupant alert system. The Luxury trim included a Blind View Monitor, enhancing safety further.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came with the Honda Sensing suite as standard, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic high beams were also standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with LED headlights improving visibility on higher trims. A recall for a rear subframe issue affected a small number of vehicles.