2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Ford Escape

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent 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 look. The interior of the Santa Fe, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, featured a high-quality, albeit dark, black leather finish. The Nappa leather seats were both comfortable and visually appealing, with standard heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats. The cabin's overall design was sophisticated, though opting for a beige or grey interior could provide a more visually pleasing contrast.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape underwent a significant front-end redesign, giving it a more aggressive appearance while maintaining a generally soft and appealing look. The ST-Line Elite trim featured a black interior with red stitching to emphasize its sporty nature, though the leather option was not recommended due to its uncomfortable feel. The Escape's interior included ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats, but lacked ventilated seats. The front seats were large and supportive, and the rear seats offered comfort when slid back. However, the interior storage was more generous in the front than in the rear.

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 noticeable turbo lag. 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 kilograms, while the non-turbo version could tow 907 kilograms.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Escape's driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery, but lacked an Off-Road mode. While the turbocharged engine provided quick acceleration, the overall driving dynamics did not match the sporty promise of the ST badge. The Escape's ride was soft, and the handling allowed for too much body motion. The turbo engine could tow up to 1,587 kilograms, similar to the Santa Fe.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering 1,060 millimetres of rear-seat legroom and 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's two-row configuration provided ample space and comfort, with standard features like an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included advanced features such as a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. However, the wide centre console slightly reduced driver leg and hip space.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters. The front seats were large and supportive, and the rear seats offered comfort when slid back. Interior storage was generous in the front, but rear passengers had less accommodation. The Escape provided 1,061 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 1,852 litres with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle included ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel, but lacked ventilated front seats.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its in-vehicle technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings and efficient voice recognition for navigation and weather reports. However, the system struggled with music requests and temperature adjustments.

The 2024 Ford Escape boasted a 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system with a landscape format, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's layout was intuitive, but the colour theme appeared washed out, and the climate controls were integrated into the screen. The voice recognition system was excellent, but the wireless smartphone charger overheated devices. The test vehicle included a head-up display and Active Park Assist 2.0, though the latter was impractical in busy areas.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist, enhancing 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.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The ST-Line Elite added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. The Escape's lane-keeping systems were inconsistent, but the adaptive cruise control performed well on highways. The NHTSA awarded the Escape five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.