2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2023 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 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, and heated seats in the second row.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a soft sensuality in its design, which, while bordering on boring, aged well. The GLS 450 test vehicle boasted bright-finish 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille design, and polished metal exterior accents. Inside, the GLS 450 featured a Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak, polished aluminum accents, and rich detailing. The front seats offered a range of adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage programs, ensuring comfort. The new steering wheel, though delightful to grip, had touch-sensing controls that could be irritating.

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, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided immediate acceleration with no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector allowed for customization with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes. The turbocharged version could tow up to 1,587 kg, while the non-turbo version managed 907 kg.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, with a nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The GLS 450 offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kg. The adaptive air suspension and massive Continental Premium Contact tires contributed to its athleticism, while the brakes performed admirably under duress.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided ample 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 storage space to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate in the top trims. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display were notable features, though the wide centre console slightly compromised driver leg space.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS, equipped with the AMG Line package, had sportier styling that could be inconvenient when entering or exiting the SUV. The front seats offered comfort with leather surfaces, heating, ventilation, and massage programs. The GLS provided expansive second-row legroom and a standard panoramic sunroof. However, accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome, and the space was snug for adults. Cargo space was practical, with 355 litres behind the third row, 1,209 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,400 litres behind the front seats.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and BlueLink connected services. The Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was customizable, though voice-recognition capabilities were mixed, particularly for music requests and temperature changes.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with the latest MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and themes, though touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and centre console could cause confusion. Despite this, MBUX was intuitive, with outstanding natural voice recognition and helpful augmented reality for navigation.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with high ratings in crashworthiness tests.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS also came with a robust set of safety features, adjustable through MBUX. The forward-collision warning system, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were effective without being intrusive. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems handled various driving conditions smoothly, with only a single instance of the lane-centring assist momentarily turning off.