2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive front styling, characterized by the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept. Despite its striking front, the design from the front wheels to the rear bumper maintained a tasteful and balanced appeal. In Canada, the Outlander was available in several trims, all featuring standard all-wheel drive and a range of luxurious interior options, including premium semi-aniline leather and a head-up display. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black accents and aluminum touches, though some plastics reminded occupants of its compact crossover status.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe exhibited a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's other models. The SUV retained the same look as the previous year, with a wide grille and thin LED headlights as its most distinctive features. The Santa Fe was available in four trims in Canada, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a luxurious interior with Nappa leather seats and a range of comfort features, including heated and cooled seats. The cabin, while high-quality, was dark and monotone, though options for beige or grey interiors provided some visual contrast.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. Despite the promise of multiple driving modes, the Outlander struggled with acceleration, especially on highways or during overtaking. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a less comfortable ride on uneven surfaces. The Outlander returned a fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating.

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, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided brisk acceleration and smooth handling. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four modes, enhancing its adaptability to different driving conditions. While the turbocharged version excelled in performance, the non-turbo variant was adequate for everyday driving. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied between 907 kilograms for the non-turbo and 1,587 kilograms for the turbo version.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive digital displays. However, the centre console lacked storage space, and the third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children. Cargo capacity was limited to 331 litres with the third row in use, expanding to 2,217 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered generous rear-seat legroom and competitive cargo space. The rear seats provided 1,060 millimetres of legroom, and cargo capacity reached 2,041 litres with the seats folded. The Santa Fe featured a range of comfort and convenience features, including dual-zone climate control and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added luxury touches like a head-up display and ambient lighting. However, the wide centre console slightly compromised driver leg space.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed head-up display, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The GT Premium trim included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The infotainment system offered extensive customization options, though voice recognition had mixed results, particularly with music and temperature commands.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering smooth and accurate performance. It included standard safety features like forward collision mitigation and blind-spot warning. The Outlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured Highway Driving Assist. The Santa Fe earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.