2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a range of trim levels, including Essential, Preferred, Luxury, and Ultimate. The latter two trims featured a turbocharged engine, enhancing power and performance, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard across all Canadian trims except Essential. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the SUV 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 exceptional, and the controls operated with refinement.

In contrast, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in executing a premium concept, with captivating style and continual product improvement. The CX-5 featured more standard equipment, revised instrumentation, and modifications to reduce noise and vibration. Its design, rooted in Mazda's "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing and distinctive. Inside, the CX-5's Signature trim offered premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, creating a luxurious feel. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the black cabin, reducing contrast. Overall, the CX-5's interior reflected style and good taste, with elegant metallic accents and clear gauges.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a minimum curb weight of 1,629 kilograms and came with a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine. However, the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, was the preferred choice for better performance. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering either front-wheel drive or AWD. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency varied depending on the engine and drivetrain. The turbocharged engine provided a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, though it lacked driver engagement.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged version, available in GT Turbo and Signature trims, delivered up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The CX-5's curb weight was 1,734 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the naturally aspirated engine. The CX-5 offered engaging driving dynamics, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus technology, but excessive body motions detracted from the experience. Despite this, the CX-5 was enjoyable to drive in typical situations, with responsive steering and brakes.

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 eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The Santa Fe's dual-zone automatic climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof extended beyond the rear seat head restraints. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents and heated bottom cushions in higher trims. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and a maximum of 2,019 litres. A hands-free "smart" liftgate added convenience.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's interior was more cramped compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, Mazda focused on an upscale cabin and generous standard equipment. The CX-5 featured classy gauges, metallic accents, and heated front seats. Higher trims added power-adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Signature trim offered Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more. The front seats were comfortable, but rear legroom was limited. Cargo space measured 875 litres behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 1,687 litres. A power liftgate was available on GS trim and higher.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo control knobs, and main menu shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Preferred trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three free years of service. Luxury trim featured a surround-view camera system, while Ultimate trim offered a larger display, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. A head-up display provided additional data, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system aimed for an upscale impression but could be frustrating to use. The system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. GT trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, a Bose premium sound system, and navigation, while GT Turbo featured a colour 8-inch touchscreen. Signature trim included a surround-view camera system. Interaction with Mazda Connect involved using the touchscreen, centre console controls, or voice recognition, but none were ideal. The voice-recognition technology struggled with naturally voiced commands, and a new version of Mazda Connect was expected in 2021.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a safe choice, earning a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. It offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. A driver monitoring system and rear-seat reminder were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Preferred grade included an ultrasonic occupant alert system, and Luxury trim featured a Blind View Monitor.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included smart city brake support, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. GS trim added adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 also had standard LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, with adaptive headlights on Grand Touring trim. The SUV's structural engineering and crash-test performance contributed to its high safety ratings.