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 more daring models. Despite its understated appearance, it remained an attractive SUV, with its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights providing a distinctive touch. The interior of the Santa Fe, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, featured a high-quality look with black leather seats, though it was somewhat dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were both comfortable and visually appealing, with standard heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats enhancing the overall comfort.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 exuded luxury with its diamond-stitched Nappa leather, suede headliner, and metallic-finish accents. The Prestige trim offered a variety of stylish 22-inch wheel designs and six exterior colours. The interior was equipped with ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display, reinforcing its status as a flagship Genesis SUV. However, the Prestige Signature trim, exclusive to the U.S., did not offer significant advantages over the regular Prestige trim, which was available in Canada.

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, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a noticeable boost in performance, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and it offered a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kg with the turbo engine.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 came with two engine choices as well: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. The 3.5T model, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, delivered a rewarding driving experience with swift acceleration and commendable grip from its P265/40R22 all-season tires. The GV80's adaptive damping suspension and upgraded front brakes contributed to its athletic performance, although the steering was unremarkable.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness and comfort by offering 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 seats expanded the cargo capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate in the top trims. However, the wide centre console slightly compromised driver leg and hip space.

The 2024 Genesis GV80, in its 3.5T Prestige trim, offered a third-row seat, though second-row legroom was less impressive. The cabin featured heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and triple-zone climate control. Cargo space measured 988 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Despite its luxurious features, the GV80's seats were less comfortable for long trips, and the rear seats didn't recline far enough for optimal relaxation.

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 the top trims. The voice-recognition system handled navigation commands well but struggled with music requests and temperature adjustments. The Santa Fe's infotainment system was customizable, though some settings required navigating through multiple sub-menus.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, though its distance from the driver necessitated using the control dial on the centre console. The standard infotainment package included navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GV80's voice-recognition system was user-friendly, and the digital key system allowed smartphone access. The Prestige trim included a Lexicon premium sound system and a head-up display, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured Highway Driving Assist, 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+" from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.

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