2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold and experimental design that was not universally appealing. It featured a distinctive grille shape, stacked lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings, which could be polarizing. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted a dramatic interior with a dual-cowl dashboard and diamond-textured speaker grilles. High-contrast interior colours added visual interest, though the materials, such as glossy plastics and stiff leather upholstery, did not match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined, making the Santa Fe a unique choice for those who appreciated daring design.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC40 embraced a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge variant featured subtle differences like a blanked-off grille and model-specific alloy wheels. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending harmoniously. Volvo's approach emphasized quiet and comfort, appealing to those who preferred a more understated luxury experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, which was not the most desirable option given the SUV's weight. The more powerful choice was the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, significantly enhancing performance. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or AWD configurations. The Santa Fe offered a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and had varying fuel efficiency depending on the engine and drivetrain. The turbocharged model provided a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, though it lacked driver engagement.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 featured a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the T4 producing 187 hp and the T5 offering 248 hp. The Recharge model boasted 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, thanks to its dual electric motors and 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized comfort over speed, with excellent ride quality and the ability for one-pedal driving in the Recharge model. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with family needs in mind, offering creative storage solutions and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, with additional lumbar and thigh support for the driver. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents and reclining seats. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was somewhat limited, with 1,017 litres behind the rear seat and 2,019 litres with the rear seats folded. A hands-free "smart" liftgate added convenience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, including the Recharge model, had less passenger and cargo space compared to some competitors. Clever storage solutions, like a removable trash bin and large door bins, helped maximize utility. The centre console was designed to hold a phone securely, with an optional wireless charging pad. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options. The XC40's interior space was more competitive against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, but it still fell short in terms of overall utility.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with stereo control knobs, 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 years of free service. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera, a larger display, navigation, wireless charging, and a premium sound system. The head-up display provided valuable information, including blind-spot alerts, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard setup comprised a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model also offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The lack of a start button in the Recharge model simplified the driving experience, and future updates could introduce a Digital Key feature.

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, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, while higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and a Blind View Monitor. The Preferred trim included an ultrasonic occupant alert system, enhancing safety for families.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The XC40 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. The Recharge model included Volvo's latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids. The safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure were expected to ensure strong crash-test performance for the Recharge model.