2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder took design inspiration from the latest trends in Nissan’s SUV lineup. At the forefront, a fresh interpretation of Nissan’s signature V-motion grille, akin to the Rogue and Armada, was featured prominently. The grille paid homage to the original Pathfinder through its three-slot design and displayed the new Nissan logo. LED headlights framed the grille, accompanied by slim LED daytime running lights, creating the impression of eyebrows over a solid C-pillar reminiscent of the first-generation model. With the option of 14 paint jobs and color combinations, including a black roof extending over the C-pillar, buyers had plenty of customization choices.

Bulky side panels and a robust hood gave the Pathfinder a more formidable appearance compared to its predecessor, aligning more with the aesthetic of the Kia Telluride. Sleek, thin taillights wrapped around the heft of the liftgate, adorned with bold, wide badging featuring the vehicle’s nameplate. These design choices enhanced the vehicle's rugged appeal. Additionally, Nissan widened the Pathfinder by 0.6 inches and increased its track by 1.2 inches, giving it a more planted look. Despite being 0.8 inches shorter from end to end and just 0.2 inches higher, the vehicle offered significantly more legroom than the previous generation.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe exhibited a more conservative design approach compared to some of Hyundai’s recent models. Although it didn’t feature stand-out looks, it remained an attractive SUV. The exterior carried on from the 2022 model without significant changes. Available in five trims—SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy—the Santa Fe provided both FWD and AWD options. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD trim tested came in Stormy Sea paint with a black interior, priced at $45,845 with additional features.

The Santa Fe's most distinctive exterior elements were its wide upper and lower grilles, part of Hyundai’s family design language. Slim LED headlights added to the SUV’s identity, though other elements followed a more traditional route. Inside, the Calligraphy trim offered a black-on-black leather interior that, while high-quality, appeared dark and monotone. For a more visually appealing contrast, a beige interior option was recommended. Gray interiors in lower trims also provided some variation. Nappa leather seats in the Calligraphy trim were both comfortable and elegant, with standard heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine from the previous generation, generating 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with Nissan’s new nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, replaced the older CVT. The transmission offered smooth gear transitions, heightened by the electronic shift-by-wire drive selector and paddle shifters. The Pathfinder came in both FWD and AWD configurations, with FWD models featuring a five-position drive mode selector and AWD versions offering seven drive and terrain modes.

For fuel economy, the FWD Pathfinder achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. The AWD variant added one more mile per gallon for highway driving, maintaining a combined 23 mpg. The Platinum AWD, fully equipped, recorded slightly lower figures at 20 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. The Pathfinder excelled with a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and a Class II tow hitch standard in the Platinum grade. Its unibody design and advanced suspension provided a stable and smooth ride, while the tight turning radius made urban driving and parking effortless.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter engine in all trims but offered variations between naturally aspirated and turbocharged options. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims carried a naturally aspirated engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The Limited and Calligraphy trims came with a turbocharged version, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed “wet” dual-clutch automatic transmission.

FWD was standard across all Santa Fe trims, with AWD as an optional upgrade. Each Santa Fe included a drive-mode selector with four modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. The turbocharged version showcased superior acceleration and passing performance, showing immediate off-the-line acceleration without turbo lag. Handling remained smooth with minimal body lean during high-speed maneuvers. The turbocharged Santa Fe could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the non-turbo version managed 2,000 pounds. Hyundai’s dual-clutch transmission performed efficiently without the usual clunkiness often seen in such designs.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder emphasized interior comfort, beginning with its noise-reduced compartment, achieved through enhanced insulation, front-row acoustic laminated glass, and thicker second-row windows. This focus included flexible options for families, like wide-opening rear doors, second-row captain’s chairs, and the ability to fit three car seats across the second-row bench. New features such as the EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seats enabled easy third-row access, and the removable second-row center console offered additional convenience.

Interior space was significant, with 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 45.0 cubic feet with the third row folded and 80.5 cubic feet with both rows down. Underfloor cargo storage provided an extra 54 liters. However, while the Pathfinder could fit three adults in the rear, comfort was optimal only for smaller passengers.

In comparison, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe avoided the cramped third row, instead prioritizing generous rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row. When the second-row seats were folded, storage space increased to 72.1 cubic feet, complemented by an underfloor storage compartment. Seat comfort was notable, especially with the SEL and higher trims, which featured an eight-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats. Limited and Calligraphy trims added ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other luxury features.

Both models offered ample cargo capacity, but the Pathfinder’s third row and larger maximum cargo space gave it an edge for those needing more versatility. The Santa Fe excelled in two-row comfort and blue-ribbon rear-seat legroom and storage.

Nissan equipped the 2022 Pathfinder with a broad array of technology suitable for every trim. Even the base model included a six-speaker audio system, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Additional features included two 12-volt DC power outlets, multiple USB ports, and hands-free text messaging. Higher trims offered a 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system, a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in both infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The SE trim started with a basic 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, beginning with SEL, featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and more. The Limited and Calligraphy trims offered an impressive 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The overall technology experience in the Santa Fe was intuitive, with customizable settings and clear icons, although the voice-recognition system had occasional hitches.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included a driver alertness monitor, forward-collision warning, and ten airbags, with the Platinum trim offering eleven airbags. However, safety ratings from organizations like IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive array of safety features as part of its ADAS. These included forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, driver monitoring, and a rear-seat reminder system. The Santa Fe earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a “Top Safety Pick+” from IIHS, highlighting its superior crashworthiness and safety technology.