2024 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

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 SUV continued with the same design as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Our test vehicle, a Calligraphy AWD trim, featured a Stormy Sea paint and a black-on-black interior, with a total MSRP of $45,845. The Santa Fe's exterior was marked by its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, giving it a distinct yet understated look.

Inside, the Calligraphy trim offered a high-quality but dark and monotone cabin. The black leather seats were comfortable, especially the Nappa leather, which added a touch of luxury. The Calligraphy trim came standard with heated and cooled front seats, and the second row also featured seat heaters. The interior's overall feel was premium, though a beige or gray interior option could provide more visual contrast. The Santa Fe's cabin was well-appointed, but the dark color scheme might not appeal to everyone.

The 2024 Genesis GV80, particularly in the Prestige Signature trim, exuded luxury with its Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior. The cabin featured diamond-stitched Nappa premium leather, a suede headliner, and matte-finish wood trim, creating a decadent atmosphere. The exterior, however, was relatively plain, with the Matterhorn White Matte paint job and dark chrome trim. The 22-inch wheels, nearly invisible due to the black paint, did not enhance the vehicle's appearance as much as expected. Despite this, the GV80's interior was a highlight, with ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display underscoring its status as a flagship Genesis SUV.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 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 Limited and Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The turbo version could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the non-turbo variant managed 2,000 pounds. Overall, the Santa Fe's performance was competitive for its price point, offering a balance of power, ride, and handling.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 came with two engine choices: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Our test vehicle, equipped with the V6, offered satisfying performance but was less fuel-efficient, achieving 17.2 mpg during testing. The GV80 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with five driving modes to choose from. The SUV's driving experience was rewarding, with swift acceleration and commendable grip from the all-season tires. The GV80's adaptive damping suspension and upgraded front brakes contributed to its athletic feel, though the steering was unremarkable.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized space and comfort by forgoing a third row, resulting in generous rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo area to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control in SEL trims and above. The Calligraphy trim added a head-up display, premium door and seat accent trim, and ambient lighting. Despite its spaciousness, the Santa Fe had minor drawbacks, such as limited driver seat height adjustment and a wide center console that encroached on leg space.

In 2024, the Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced was the only trim with a third-row seat, while the Prestige Signature offered seating for four with second-row captain’s chairs. The GV80's interior featured artificial, real, or premium leather, depending on the trim, with standard heated front seats and a power hands-free liftgate. Our test vehicle included a panoramic glass roof, triple-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats with massage programs. However, the seats were not as comfortable as expected, and second-row legroom was limited. The GV80 offered 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the Limited and Calligraphy trims. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch display in the base SE trim, while other trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited and Calligraphy trims included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Santa Fe's voice-recognition system had mixed results, performing well for navigation tasks but struggling with music requests and climate control adjustments.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the Prestige and Prestige Signature trims. The infotainment system included navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GV80 introduced a Wi-Fi hotspot in 2024, and wireless smartphone charging was standard. The voice-recognition system was user-friendly, and the infotainment display was graphically pleasing and intuitive. The GV80 also offered a digital key system and a Lexicon premium sound system, with a head-up display in the Prestige and Prestige Signature trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL trims and above, combining 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+" rating from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered numerous standard and available ADAS, such as a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed a video feed within the digital instrument panel, enhancing safety during lane changes. The GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars in the frontal-impact test for driver and passenger seating positions.