2024 Toyota 4Runner 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, and the inclusion of heated and cooled front seats, along with heated second-row seats, added to the overall comfort.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, albeit outdated, design, reminiscent of its 2010 roots. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged and stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model further emphasized this with underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the 4Runner's old-school styling was evident, with analog instrument panels and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior featured hard plastics, but cushioned panels on commonly touched surfaces provided some comfort. Despite its dated design, the 4Runner's layout was practical, with excellent outward visibility and ample space for passengers.

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, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and smooth handling. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector allowed for customization, and the vehicle's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The turbocharged version could tow up to 1,587 kg (3,500 pounds) with trailer brakes.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, produced 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. However, its five-speed automatic transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel efficiency compared to competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. On pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways. The 4Runner's towing capacity was 2,268 kg (5,000 pounds).

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered 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 increased storage to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seating, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate in higher trims. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included advanced features like Remote Smart Parking Assist and a head-up display. However, the wide centre console limited driver leg space, and the driver's seat height adjustment could be problematic for some.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, was practical with easy-to-use controls and excellent visibility. The front seats offered ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided good legroom, though headroom was limited due to the elevated bench. The 4Runner's cargo capacity was impressive, with 1,337 litres behind the rear seats and up to 2,540 litres with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were drawbacks. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers were unique features.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and 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 Santa Fe's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) included features like forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist, providing peace of mind.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system, with its eight-inch touchscreen, offered basic functionality with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TRD Pro model included a 15-speaker JBL audio system, but road noise often overshadowed its quality. The 4Runner's off-road controls were located in the headliner console, requiring familiarity with the owner's manual. The vehicle's safety features included adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, though some alerts were overly sensitive.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, 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 marks in crashworthiness tests.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four stars from the NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection and five stars for side impacts. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but noted "Marginal" and "Poor" results in newer tests. The 4Runner's safety features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system in higher trims.