2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, simplifying its lineup to six trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line. Most models came with more standard features than before. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch wheels and Aurora Red paint, gave the Atlas an upscale look, though the interior materials felt cheap for a nearly $54,000 vehicle.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a conservative exterior design, available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Our test vehicle, the Calligraphy AWD, had a base price of $42,600, with AWD and other options bringing the total to $45,845. The Santa Fe's wide grilles and thin LED headlights were its most distinctive features. Inside, the black-on-black interior of the Calligraphy trim felt high-quality but dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable, and the cabin offered a range of features, including heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options. The SE, SE with Technology, and SEL trims came with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine required premium fuel for maximum output and had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy ranged from 22 to 23 mpg in combined driving. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims, produced 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, the V6's performance was lackluster, and fuel economy was lower at 19 to 20 mpg combined. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an AWD system with Active Control calibrations, but its ride quality and handling were not particularly refined.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe also offered two engine options. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Limited and Calligraphy trims had a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided immediate acceleration and smooth performance. The Santa Fe offered four drive modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. The turbocharged version could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the non-turbo version could tow 2,000 pounds. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort. With the discontinuation of the base S trim, cloth seats were no longer available. The Atlas featured V-Tex leatherette seating, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard. Higher trims added features like tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The Atlas could comfortably seat seven people, including adults in the third row. Cargo space was impressive, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, designed as a two-row SUV, offered ample rear-seat legroom at 41.7 inches and competitive cargo space. It provided 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 72.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with higher trims featuring power-adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Calligraphy trim added luxury features like a head-up display, premium door and seat accent trim, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof was a standout feature, though the wide center console limited driver leg space.

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 SE trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with basic infotainment features, while higher trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome interface.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, offering a 4.2-inch color LCD display on lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. The base SE trim had an 8-inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though voice recognition capabilities were mixed.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with old construction markings, and the Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a wide range of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist 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 received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, making it one of the safest vehicles in its class.