2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle updates from 2018, such as the lines connecting the grille to the headlights. Inside, the Sequoia's design was reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a massive, multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dashboard. The front seats, though bulky, offered comfort and support, but taller drivers found themselves close to the roof, especially with the optional sunroof. The second-row seats, however, provided ample headroom and legroom, enhancing passenger comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim, while not particularly impressive with its visual enhancements, offered a practical and comfortable interior. The Portofino Gray paint and black cloth interior provided a monochromatic look, but the cabin's thoughtful design and quality materials made it a pleasant space. The XRT trim included features from the SEL and its Convenience Package, with options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Despite its cosmetic focus, the Santa Fe XRT demonstrated Hyundai's commitment to providing a refined and comfortable driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were akin to a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes, offering a confident driving experience. However, its towing capacity of 7,400 pounds lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly powerful, it was adequate for everyday driving and highway cruising. The eight-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts, and the SUV featured multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow. The Santa Fe's ride quality was commendable, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin, though the engine struggled on hills and during rapid acceleration. The XRT's fuel economy was decent, averaging 22.3 mpg, with the turbocharged engine in higher trims offering more power without sacrificing efficiency.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. Despite its age, the Sequoia offered ample storage options, including deep door pockets and a massive center console, though newer SUVs had better space utilization.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT provided a comfortable and practical interior, with dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats. The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot room, making it suitable for families. The Santa Fe's cargo space was 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was a convenient feature, though it occasionally opened unintentionally.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. While the system was dated, it was user-friendly, with simple menus and large buttons. The test model's 9-inch screen still felt small on the large dash, but the system's simplicity was refreshing.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth and satellite radio. The system was easy to use, with large knobs and logical menu structures. The Santa Fe also featured Hyundai's digital key technology, though it was limited to Android devices. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a thoughtful addition, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked more advanced technologies like lane-keeping assist, and its older platform resulted in a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist were notable additions, enhancing safety in various scenarios. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover score.