2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a comprehensive redesign, marking the beginning of its second generation. This transformation included a striking new exterior with a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and a floating roof effect enhanced by blacked-out pillars. The interior was equally impressive, featuring a wide, open feel with quilted leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The craftsmanship and build quality were notable, with the QX60 models for North America being produced at the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a more conservative exterior design, continuing the look from the previous year. The five-passenger SUV offered four trim levels in Canada, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in the U.S., featured a black interior with Nappa leather seats, providing a high-quality feel. The Santa Fe's cabin was equipped with dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing comfort and convenience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided a superior driving experience compared to the previous CVT, with smooth and crisp shifts. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts and an independent multilink setup, delivered a smooth ride, although it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering. Fuel consumption was rated at 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided immediate acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean, and the eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission performed without clunkiness. The turbo version could tow up to 1,587 kg, while the non-turbo could tow 907 kg.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, with its three-row configuration, offered ample space and comfort for passengers. The second-row seats could slide to share space with the third row, and the Autograph trim featured captain's chairs with a removable centre console. Cargo capacity was generous, with 411 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,135 litres with all seats folded. The QX60 also had a towing capacity of up to 2,721 kg with additional equipment.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, designed as a two-row SUV, provided excellent rear-seat legroom of 1,060 mm and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the second row increased storage to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a range of comfort and convenience features, including a head-up display and ambient lighting in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 was equipped with a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Higher trims included a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. The Sensory and Autograph models featured a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and wireless device charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings and voice recognition capabilities, although some commands required specific terminology.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, forward emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except Pure, offering advanced driver assistance.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted an extensive array of safety-related ADAS, such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a safe-exit assist system. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, highlighting its crashworthiness and safety features.