2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it lacked the standout looks of other vehicles in the brand's lineup. The Santa Fe continued with the same design as the 2022 model, available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in the U.S., showcased a rich Stormy Sea paint and a black interior with Nappa leather seats, offering a high-quality yet dark and monotone cabin. The interior was comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats, providing a pleasant driving experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 demonstrated a significant evolution from Volvo's past designs, moving away from the boxy shapes of the 1980s and 90s. The XC90's exterior was purposeful yet understated, with a solid front end and a bold grille. The "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the vehicle's dimensions leaned toward a rectilinear shape without resembling the toasters of old. The Ultimate trim featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Grey paint with brown undertones, adding depth to its appearance. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a minimalist approach and luxurious materials like Nappa leather upholstery and wood deco inlays, creating a clean and sophisticated cabin environment.

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 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. The eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission contributed to a smooth driving experience, with the vehicle's handling remaining composed even during cornering maneuvers. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied, with the turbo version capable of towing up to 1,587 kg, provided trailer brakes were used.

For the 2023 Volvo XC90, the introduction of the B6 engine with mild-hybrid technology marked a shift from the previous T5 and T6 powertrains. The B6 engine, equipped with a supercharger and turbo, produced 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, offering a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. The mild-hybrid system improved the vehicle's operation, with the electric motor handling tasks like climate control and ignition. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's handling was impressive, with minimal roll through corners, and the brakes provided a confident pedal feel. The XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics, with limited customizable modes, appealed to those seeking a straightforward driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness and comfort by opting for a two-row configuration, resulting in generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo capacity to 2,041 litres, with additional underfloor storage available. The Santa Fe's interior featured standard comfort and convenience features, including an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added advanced features like a head-up display, ambient lighting, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. However, the wide centre console slightly compromised driver leg and hip space.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior exuded Scandinavian minimalism, with a focus on elegance and quality materials. However, the minimalist design led to limited cubby space for smaller items, and the placement of the USB port in the small centre console bin was less convenient. The second row offered reasonable comfort and space, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The XC90's cargo space was competitive, with 356 litres available with the third row in place, expanding to 1,183 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 1,856 litres with all rear seats down. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a more compact vehicle, enhancing its appeal.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a range of infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems. The Preferred and Urban trims featured a 4.2-inch colour LCD display, while the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims boasted a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. All trims included a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top trims added wireless device charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings, although voice recognition capabilities were mixed, particularly for music requests and temperature adjustments.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering was highlighted by its 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display, running on Google OS. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, providing a seamless user experience. The XC90's natural-language recognition, powered by Google, enhanced the vehicle's tech capabilities, allowing for voice commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions, such as adjusting the driver's seat position, could be frustrating. While the minimalist design was appealing, the lack of physical buttons and redundant controls required some adjustment for users.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured Highway Driving Assist, enhancing the driving experience with adaptive cruise control and stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS, with high ratings in crashworthiness tests.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. These features supported Volvo's Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and provided gentle steering assistance. The XC90's safety features were standard, reinforcing its reputation as a safe and reliable vehicle.