2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried forward the design updates from its 2021 model, with only minor modifications. It was available in four trim levels in Canada: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and Execline. The Execline trim, which was the top of the Canadian lineup, featured standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels that enhanced its upscale appearance. Despite its bold and boxy design, the Atlas's interior, while simple and premium in appearance, was let down by the use of low-cost materials, including hard, shiny plastics that detracted from the overall quality.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a conservative exterior styling, which was attractive but not as standout as some of Hyundai's other models. The Santa Fe was available in four trim levels in Canada: Preferred, Urban, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which we tested, featured a black interior with high-quality Nappa leather seats, offering a comfortable and attractive cabin. While the interior was dark and monotone, the beige or grey options provided more visual contrast. The Santa Fe's design was characterized by its wide grilles and thin LED headlights, giving it a distinctive look.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options in Canada. The base Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, requiring premium fuel for optimal performance. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine had a maximum towing capacity of 907 kilograms and a fuel consumption rating of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, standard on the Execline trim, produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. However, the V6's performance was considered leisurely, and its fuel consumption was higher at 12.2 L/100 km. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an Active Control system for different conditions, but its ride quality was criticized for being busy and noisy.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available on the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided brisk acceleration and smooth performance, with no noticeable turbo lag. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for added sportiness. The turbocharged Santa Fe had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms, while the non-turbo version could tow 907 kilograms. The Santa Fe's performance was praised for its power, ride, and handling, making it a strong contender in its price range.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas was praised for its spacious interior and comfortable seating for seven passengers, with ample head and legroom even in the third row. The step-in height was low, making it easy to enter and exit the vehicle. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, although many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down, surpassing even the full-size Nissan Armada.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo area to 2,041 litres, with additional underfloor storage. The Santa Fe's seat comfort was a highlight, with standard heated front seats and an eight-way power driver's seat. Higher trims offered features like a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. However, some drivers found the seat positioning and centre console design slightly restrictive.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches on higher trims. The Trendline trim had a basic 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the next-generation MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system on the Execline trim. However, the user experience was marred by slow loading times and a cumbersome interface, making it less intuitive to use.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a standard 4.2-inch colour LCD display on lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. All trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The infotainment system was praised for its logical layout and customization options, although voice recognition capabilities were mixed, with some difficulty in understanding commands.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Lane Assist system was criticized for its sensitivity to road markings, and the Atlas did not earn top safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a wide range of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-seat reminder system. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received the highest-possible five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in all crashworthiness tests.