2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 BMW X5

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 power and performance. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on all trims except the Essential, where it was an optional upgrade from front-wheel drive (FWD). The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with features like a unique grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design and high-contrast interior colours, although the materials used, such as glossy plastic and stiff leather upholstery, did not match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was exceptional, and the controls operated with refinement.

The 2021 BMW X5 was part of BMW's true SUV range, known for its high-quality craftsmanship. The X5's design was unmistakably BMW, with features like the kidney grille and adaptive LED headlights. The xLine models had an upscale appearance with matte aluminum grilles and satin aluminum finishes, while the M Sport models offered a sportier look with body-coloured trims and high-gloss black accents. Inside, the X5's design was consistent with other BMW models, featuring an abundance of black plastic and leather. The M Sport models included unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and model-exclusive interior trim strips. Overall, the X5's design was luxurious but lacked the distinctiveness to stand out among other BMWs.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was the preferred choice, delivering 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 configuration. The turbocharged engine with AWD consumed 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, making it a competent daily driver.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. The X5 M50i had a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine with 523 hp, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of up to 50 kilometres. The X5's driving dynamics were less engaging than expected, with steering issues at higher speeds and a lack of the connected drive experience typical of BMWs. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the xDrive45e rated at 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres when using electricity and gas.

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. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature, opening automatically when the key fob was detected nearby.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders positioned at the front of the centre console and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, but the front seats felt hard after extended periods. The rear seats were comfortable for children and adults, with an optional third row available. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate was convenient for loading cargo. The vehicle height adjustment button on the liftgate was particularly helpful for loading heavy items. The X5's cargo area was spacious, although the xDrive45e offered slightly less space than the traditional X5.

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

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard features included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and premium audio systems. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was easy to use once familiar.

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. The Luxury trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Preferred grade included an ultrasonic occupant alert system, which alerted the driver if a child or pet was left in the vehicle. The Blind View Monitor in the Luxury trim provided a live video feed of the blind spots.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight or light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.