2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative 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 four trims in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The U.S.-spec Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in Stormy Sea paint, offered a high-quality interior with Nappa leather seats, providing comfort and style. The cabin, though dark, was well-appointed, with heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats.

In contrast, the 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, aligning it with other Land Rover models. The interior was rugged yet luxurious, featuring soft-touch materials and practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. The Defender was available in three body styles, with seating configurations ranging from five to eight passengers. The Defender 110 S, tested in the U.S., offered a blend of refinement and utility, with a panoramic glass roof and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version producing 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided brisk acceleration and smooth handling. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four modes and had a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kg with the turbo engine.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered multiple powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six with 395 horsepower. The Defender also had two supercharged V8 options, with the most powerful producing 518 horsepower. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2. It could tow up to 3,500 kg with the six-cylinder and V8 engines.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized space and comfort with its two-row configuration, offering 1,060 mm of rear-seat legroom and 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the seats expanded the cargo area to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe featured dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and advanced convenience features in higher trims.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and practicality, with seating for up to eight passengers depending on the model. The Defender 130 offered the most cargo space, with 433 litres behind the third row and 2,155 litres with all seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 962 litres behind the second row in the two-row version. The interior featured hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning and numerous cargo compartments.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though voice recognition had mixed results.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo. The straightforward setup complemented the Defender's utilitarian design, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered extensive driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, its lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were overly sensitive. As of this writing, it had not been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA.