2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Lexus TX

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 black leather finish, though it was somewhat dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were both comfortable and visually appealing, with heated and cooled front seats as standard. The second row also offered seat heaters, making it a comfortable choice for varying weather conditions.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, offered a more upscale appearance with its 22-inch wheels enhancing its presence. The TX's styling was toned down compared to other Lexus models, resulting in a more conservative look. The interior of the TX 350, especially with the Executive package, featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery. While the front seats were comfortable, they lacked a massage function, which might be expected in this class. The second-row seat, though not as welcoming, offered triple-zone automatic climate control and standard USB charging ports for all three rows. The third-row seat was notably more habitable than previous Lexus models, providing adequate space for adults.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 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 discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and it offered a comfortable ride in Comfort mode. The turbo version could tow up to 1,587 kg, provided trailer brakes were used.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's performance was adequate for typical driving situations, its grating engine note was a drawback. The TX 350's suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The official fuel economy rating was 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though during testing, it averaged 13.8 L/100 km. The brake pedal felt too soft, but it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered 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 capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. However, the wide centre console slightly compromised driver leg and hip space.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs by providing a habitable third-row seat. The TX 350's interior featured premium materials, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The third-row seat offered adequate space for adults, and the TX provided 572 litres of cargo space behind it. Power-folding the third-row seats expanded the cargo capacity to 1,625 litres, and folding the second-row seats increased it to 2,746 litres. The TX's numerous storage slots and bins, though unlined, offered ample utility.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in 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 voice-recognition system handled navigation commands well but struggled with music requests and temperature adjustments. The Santa Fe's infotainment system offered extensive customization options, though some settings required navigating through sub-menus.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Drive Connect subscription added a cloud-based navigation system and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The TX offered free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, and a three-year subscription to Remote Connect. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided impressive sound quality.

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, which combined 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.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, provided braking and steering assistance, though it was not entirely transparent in operation. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. The traffic jam assist system offered hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.