2023 Honda HR-V vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The black molding strips on the roof were removed, and the windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip. The test model was showcased in a Nordic Forest Pearl color, adding to its refined aesthetic. The HR-V's interior followed the trend of refinement seen in the 2022 Civic, with premium touches like a metal honeycomb grille and touch-sensitive lights, enhancing its entry-level status.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that prioritized storage capacity. This new aesthetic was a significant shift from the sleek, futuristic designs of the Ioniq models. Despite its boxy shape, the Santa Fe managed to look upscale and attract attention, even in rural settings. The exterior featured a sophisticated color palette, including matte options, and anodized-finish badging. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with trims like the XRT and Calligraphy showcasing luxurious materials and thoughtful design elements, such as a cocooning fabric headliner.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous model, with an updated CVT incorporating a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more dynamic driving experience. Despite being quieter than its predecessor, the HR-V was still noticeably noisy at higher speeds. The vehicle was available in FWD or AWD, with a new suspension system that improved handling on mountain roads, though it lacked the power of some competitors.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a base 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. FWD was standard, with AWD optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD as standard. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with additional off-road modes for the XRT. A hybrid option with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was also available later in the model year. The Santa Fe's fuel economy varied by trim, with the XRT model having lower ratings due to its off-road capabilities. On the road, the Santa Fe provided a smooth and stable ride, with some body roll in turns, while the XRT trim excelled in off-road conditions.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior despite its compact size. The center console featured a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports, providing convenient storage options. The HR-V's fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but cargo space remained competitive, with 24.4 cubic feet available with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The second-generation HR-V introduced a new hinge for the 60/40 split rear seats, allowing for a more ergonomic seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. Passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L offering slightly more space.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a longer wheelbase and body, with most of the extra space dedicated to the cargo area. Inspired by the concept of "chabak," the Santa Fe's design focused on creating a comfortable space for car camping and tailgating. The first and second rows were spacious, while the third row was snug, making the Santa Fe a suitable choice for those prioritizing second-row comfort. Depending on the trim, the Santa Fe offered various seating options, from stain-resistant cloth to plush quilted Nappa leather. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, and featured roof rails and a new grab handle for added convenience.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style touchscreen for its infotainment system, with physical controls for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also boasted a 9-inch infotainment display, a wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. All HR-Vs included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display, with additional features like Smart Entry and remote start available on higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's cabin was highlighted by a curved panoramic display, offering a luxurious feel in the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. The touchscreen display was intuitive, with crisp graphics and easy phone pairing for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims featured a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered wireless charging and Hyundai's BlueLink system for vehicle access. Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner were also available on select trims, enhancing convenience and security.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. The HR-V had not yet been crash-tested for 2023, but the 2022 model received high safety ratings, with improvements expected for the new model year.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with most advanced systems standard across the lineup. The base SE trim included adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a sanitizing compartment. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle to include driver monitoring, enhancing safety by tracking alertness and detecting hands on the wheel.