2021 Toyota Venza 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 power and performance. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on all trims except 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 asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design 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.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, was shorter and lower than the Toyota RAV4 but shared the same wheelbase. Critics noted its resemblance to a Lexus, with a design that blurred brand lines. The Venza was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with a choice of seven paint colours. Standard features included LED lighting, a wireless charging pad, and dual-zone climate control. The Venza's interior was unique, with premium appointments and a deep centre console. It offered comfortable seating for five, with more headroom than the RAV4, though cargo space was less than some competitors. The Venza's design was more refined and elegant, appealing to those seeking a more upscale appearance.

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's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency varied depending on the engine and drivetrain. The turbocharged engine offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, though it lacked driver engagement.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system used an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) with a sequential-shifting feature. While the Venza's acceleration was smooth, it was not rapid, and engine noise was noticeable during acceleration. However, the Venza excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving 5.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 L/100 km on the highway. The Venza's handling was confident, and its AWD system performed well, making it a reliable choice for daily driving.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with thoughtful attention to detail, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with 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 back seat was comfortable for adults, with heated cushions in higher trims. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and 2,019 litres with the seats folded. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Toyota Venza's interior was practical and unique, with premium appointments and a deep centre console. The cabin featured piano black capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls, along with a wireless charging pad and heated and ventilated seat buttons. The Venza offered comfortable seating for five, with more headroom than the RAV4. Cargo space was 816 litres, less than some competitors, but sufficient for daily use. The quick-flip releases on the rear seatbacks made arranging the cargo space easy.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, 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. The Luxury trim featured a surround-view camera system, while the Ultimate trim offered a larger display, navigation, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The head-up display provided valuable information, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated.

The 2021 Toyota Venza's infotainment system varied by trim, with an 8-inch screen on the LE and a 12.3-inch screen on the XLE and Limited. The Entune system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. The XLE and Limited trims featured a nine-speaker JBL audio system. Toyota connected services included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Dynamic navigation was available on models with the larger screen, providing route guidance based on changing conditions.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned 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, 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 the SUV's safety credentials.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision warning system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with an upgrade to automatic braking available on higher trims. The Venza had two full sets of LATCH connections and received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.