2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's other models, yet it remained an attractive SUV. Its styling was characterized by wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, which gave it a distinctive front look. The interior of the Santa Fe, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, featured a dark and monotone black leather setup, though options for beige or grey interiors were available for those seeking more visual contrast. The Nappa leather seats were both comfortable and visually appealing, with heated and cooled front seats standard in the Calligraphy trim, and heated seats in the second row.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, maintained a stylish and high-quality appearance, resembling a small luxury SUV. The CX-5's design updates included improved structural rigidity and suspension dampening, which enhanced its driving dynamics. The interior, especially in the Signature trim, boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery, offering a luxurious feel. However, the CX-5's smaller size resulted in limited rear-seat head and legroom, as well as a cramped cargo area. The infotainment system, while visually appealing, was criticized for its lack of a user-friendly interface and voice recognition capabilities.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 hp and 311 pound-feet. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided immediate acceleration with no discernible turbo lag, making it a more dynamic choice. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector allowed for customization with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, and the handling was smooth with minimal body lean. The turbocharged Santa Fe could tow up to 1,587 kg with trailer brakes, while the non-turbo version managed 907 kg.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbocharged variant, running on premium fuel, delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular fuel. The turbo engine's power was evident, though it required a moment to reach peak torque. The CX-5's updates improved its driving dynamics, offering a firm and connected ride, though it could feel choppy on rough surfaces. The turbocharged CX-5 returned 11.0 L/100 km in combined driving during testing, slightly above the expected fuel economy.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided ample 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 capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added luxury features like a head-up display, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the wide centre console limited driver leg and hip space, and the driver's seat height adjustment could push occupants uncomfortably close to the steering wheel.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's interior updates included improved front seat comfort and support, with power-adjustable front seats and heated and ventilated options available in higher trims. The Signature trim featured luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's smaller size resulted in limited rear-seat space and cargo capacity, with 871 litres behind the rear seat and 1,680 litres with the seats folded. The infotainment system, while visually appealing, was criticized for its lack of user-friendly controls and voice recognition capabilities.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The voice recognition system had mixed results, performing well for navigation tasks but struggling with music and climate control commands. The Santa Fe's infotainment system allowed for extensive customization, though some settings required navigating through multiple sub-menus.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics, but its functionality was a source of frustration. The lack of a helpful voice recognition system and the awkward physical controls on the centre console made it challenging to use. The system required memorization and focus, detracting from the driving experience. Despite these issues, the CX-5 offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system in higher trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered a robust set of driver assistance and safety features under the i-Activsense banner. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim added a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS, performing well in crash tests despite its older engineering.