2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

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 distinct look, though the rest of the design was more subdued. The five-passenger SUV was available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The interior of the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which we tested, was high-quality but dark, with black leather seats. The Nappa leather seats were particularly comfortable, and the vehicle came equipped with heated and cooled front seats, as well as heated second-row seats.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe embraced a bold new design direction, moving away from the sleek, futuristic look of other Hyundai models. The new design was boxier, focusing on maximizing storage capacity while maintaining an upscale appearance. The exterior featured sophisticated colour options and anodized-finish badging, with the XRT trim adding dark chrome and black cladding. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling with a focus on comfort and functionality. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured luxurious materials, including a fabric-covered headliner, and provided a spacious and inviting 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 smooth power delivery. The vehicle featured a drive-mode selector 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 with trailer brakes.

For 2024, Hyundai introduced a hybrid powertrain as the entry-level option in Canada, featuring a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a combined output of 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid used a six-speed automatic transmission, while the gas-only models retained the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The 2024 Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT trim adding off-road capabilities. The hybrid model boasted impressive fuel economy, consuming 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving. The XRT trim provided additional towing capacity and off-road prowess, making it suitable for adventurous outings.

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 second row expanded the cargo area to 2,041 litres. The 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, some drivers found the seating position and centre console design slightly restrictive.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe introduced a longer wheelbase and body, enhancing cargo space and accommodating a third row, albeit snugly. The design focused on creating a comfortable and organized space, with options for bench or captain's chairs in the second row. The cargo area offered 413 litres of space, expanding to 1,148 and 2,267 litres with the third and second rows folded, respectively. The interior featured stain-resistant cloth or leather upholstery, depending on the trim, and included heated front seats as standard. The vehicle also introduced innovative features like a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings and efficient voice recognition for navigation and weather updates. However, the system struggled with certain commands and required shouting in some instances. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included advanced features like a head-up display and wireless device charging.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe introduced a curved panoramic display, enhancing the cabin's luxurious feel. The touchscreen was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the lineup. The system included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB ports. The Preferred trim featured a simpler 12.3-inch display, while higher trims offered wireless charging and Hyundai's BlueLink system for vehicle access. The Ultimate Calligraphy and NHL Edition provided additional wireless chargers and advanced connectivity features.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-seat reminder system. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist, enhancing adaptive cruise control capabilities. The Santa Fe received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a five-star overall rating and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe continued Hyundai's tradition of offering advanced safety features as standard. The base Preferred trim included adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and a rear-occupant reminder system. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, and remote automatic parking. The Ultimate Calligraphy and NHL Edition included a head-up display and upgraded collision avoidance systems. The 2024 model also introduced driver monitoring, enhancing safety by tracking alertness and issuing warnings if necessary.