2021 Volvo XC60 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. 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 asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard design and high-contrast interior colours, although the materials used were not as high-quality as the design suggested. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls operated smoothly.

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture platform. It featured a sleek, elegant design with short overhangs and crisp body details. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, and the headlights included a distinctive LED daytime running light in the shape of Thor's hammer. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were beautifully executed, and the interior was a showcase of Scandinavian design with clean lines and authentic materials. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the cabin was a harmonious and serene space.

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, offering 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a more responsive driving experience, especially at higher altitudes. The eight-speed automatic transmission delivered power to either the front wheels or all four wheels with AWD. The Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and offered a smooth ride with decent handling. Fuel efficiency varied depending on the engine and drivetrain, with the turbocharged AWD model consuming 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 hp, while the T6 added a supercharger for 316 hp. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, were plug-in hybrids with a combined output of up to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided excellent handling, and the cabin was quiet and comfortable. Fuel consumption for the T8 PHEV was 9.3 L/100 km combined, with an electric-only mode offering 4.0 Le/100 km.

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

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in comfort and practicality, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system well-suited for winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, while the cargo space offered 613 litres behind the rear seats and 1,410 litres with the seats folded. The XC60 was also capable of towing up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a touchscreen display, stereo control knobs, and shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera, a larger display, navigation, and a premium sound system. The head-up display and voice recognition system were sophisticated and easy to use.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. It offered smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The system's learning curve required some time to master, but it was intuitive once familiar.

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. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and a Blind View Monitor.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system. The XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety reasons.