2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Volvo XC40

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge adhered closely to traditional automotive design, making the transition from internal-combustion engines to electric power as seamless as possible for consumers. From the outside, it closely resembled its gasoline counterpart, with subtle differences like a solid panel in the grill and the absence of tailpipes. The XC40's design was marked by its Scandinavian sensibility, offering a compact yet airy cabin with harmonious lines and premium finishes, elevating it to a genuine luxury SUV status.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a more conservative exterior styling compared to some of Hyundai's bolder designs. It continued with the same look as the 2022 model, featuring a wide grille and thin LED headlights as its distinctive elements. Inside, the Santa Fe offered a high-quality, albeit dark, interior with Nappa leather seats and a range of comfort features. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added luxury touches like a head-up display and ambient lighting, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge was powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, delivering 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque through its dual electric motors. This setup allowed the XC40 Recharge to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, making it a thrilling drive for a compact SUV. The regenerative braking system and one-pedal drive feature maximized energy efficiency, while the low centre of gravity improved handling. The XC40 Recharge offered a range of 359 kilometres on a full charge, with fast-charging capabilities.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 2.5-litre engine, available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The turbocharged engine produced 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant performance boost over the non-turbo version. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four customizable modes, enhancing its versatility. The turbocharged model offered brisk acceleration and smooth handling, with a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kg. However, the non-turbo version was limited to towing 907 kg.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge excelled in form and function, offering clever storage solutions like a front trunk and ample cabin cubbies. The interior was comfortable, with supportive front seats and a slightly cramped rear middle seat. The XC40 Recharge provided up to 1,628 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and a towing capacity of 907 kg.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured standard dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a range of convenience features, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim adding luxury touches like a panoramic sunroof and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge was equipped with a comprehensive suite of tech features, including Pilot Assist for highway driving and a heat pump to extend range. The infotainment system featured a 9.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, running on the Android Automotive operating system. While the system offered over-the-air updates, the range display showed a percentage of charge rather than remaining kilometres, which could cause range anxiety for some drivers.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and wireless device charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though voice recognition had mixed results. The Santa Fe's ADAS included a range of safety features, enhancing driver confidence.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating, with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The XC40 Recharge also featured Volvo's Connected Safety system, sharing road condition data with other connected Volvo vehicles.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a wide array of standard safety-related ADAS, such as forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating. The Santa Fe's safety features provided peace of mind, with reminders for rear-seat passengers and safe-exit warnings.