2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

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. All-wheel drive was standard on most trims in Canada, except for the Essential, where it was an optional upgrade. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, with a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and unique fender stampings. 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 exceptional, and the controls operated with refinement.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, especially in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, stood out with its unique grille pattern, revised lighting, and luxurious interior detailing. The Palisade's styling was unconventional, drawing mixed reactions, but it undeniably appeared more expensive than its price suggested. Inside, the Palisade's cabin was plush, with quilted Nappa leather and a suede headliner, offering a sense of luxury that was hard to match in its class. The Palisade's design and materials made it feel like a genuine bargain for its price.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe came with 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 offered a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and had varying fuel efficiency depending on the engine and drivetrain configuration. The turbocharged Santa Fe was quick and compliant, with a smooth ride and decent handling, though it lacked driver engagement.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, Snow, and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Palisade's firmer suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not necessarily fun. It was predictable and confidence-inspiring, with plenty of power and easy handling in urban and suburban environments. The Palisade also boasted a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a two-row SUV with thoughtful attention to detail, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. It featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was spacious and comfortable, with air conditioning vents and heated cushions in higher trims. However, the Santa Fe fell short in cargo space, offering 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and a maximum of 2,019 litres. It did have a hands-free smart liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and accessibility, especially in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. It featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and separate climate controls for third-row passengers. The Palisade's third-row seat was more accommodating than most in its class, and it offered ample in-cabin storage. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third-row seats, expanding to 2,447 litres with the second-row seats folded. The Palisade also had a hands-free Smart Liftgate for added convenience.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a touchscreen display, stereo control knobs, and main menu shortcut buttons. It offered Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display. The technology was intuitive and easy to use, with a sophisticated voice recognition system.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with 8-inch and 10.25-inch touchscreen displays. Both systems allowed for dual smartphone pairing, but only the 8-inch setup offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy trim included features like SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a head-up display. Additional technology included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, and a Quiet Mode for rear passengers.

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, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and a Blind View Monitor. The Santa Fe also had a rear-seat reminder system and an ultrasonic occupant alert system for added safety.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping systems. It included a rear occupant alert system and a Safe Exit Assist system. Higher trims featured a Blind View Monitor and the impressive Highway Driving Assist technology. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for families.