2021 Volvo XC90 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 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 SUV boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and high-contrast interior colours, although the materials didn't quite match the high-style design. Despite this, the build quality was excellent, and the controls were refined.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a successful design evolution for Volvo, maintaining its traditional boxy profile while adding softer lines and more chrome. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a standout feature. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, although it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's base engine was a 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder, but the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder 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 model with AWD consumed 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway. The Santa Fe was a competent daily driver with a smooth ride and decent handling, although it lacked driver engagement.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The T5 was turbocharged, producing 250 hp, while the T6 added supercharging for 316 hp. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. AWD was standard in Canada. Despite the power, the XC90 struggled with acceleration on electric power alone, and the gasoline engine often had to assist. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a thoughtfully designed two-row SUV with creative storage solutions and stain-resistant fabric. It featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments and a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel. The rear seats were comfortable for adults, with reclining options for longer trips. However, 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 Volvo XC90 offered six or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The optional power sunroof and upright roof profile enhanced the spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. The hands-free power tailgate was a practical addition.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Preferred trim added SiriusXM and Blue Link connected services with three years of free service. The Luxury trim featured a surround-view camera, while the Ultimate trim offered a larger display, navigation, wireless charging, and a premium sound system. The head-up display and sophisticated voice recognition system enhanced the driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was minimalist yet effective, with a 9-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and smartphone compatibility. It included USB ports and an optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, although the text was sometimes hard to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was a welcome addition, but its size was limited. The lack of analog controls was consistent with the interior's minimalist design.

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, supplementing the traditional blind-spot warning system.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The XC90 excelled in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech, although its headlights and LATCH anchors received "Acceptable" ratings.