2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

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 Ultimate Calligraphy trim, with its black leather seats, offered a high-quality feel, though it was somewhat dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were particularly comfortable, and the inclusion of heated and cooled front seats, along with heated second-row seats, added to the vehicle's appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a larger and more spacious vehicle, built on the TNGA-K platform. Its design was inspired by rugged vehicles, featuring a blockier style compared to the smaller Highlander. The Grand Highlander was longer than its competitors, such as the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot, and offered a spacious interior with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. The design included a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of Toyota's off-roading SUV, the 4Runner.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine producing 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided brisk acceleration and smooth handling. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector allowed for customization with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, enhancing the driving experience. The turbocharged version could tow up to 1,587 kg, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, including a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower, a 2.5-litre hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 horsepower. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive, and the Hybrid Max delivered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional modes for the gas-only and Hybrid Max models. While the Grand Highlander was larger and slightly less maneuverable than its smaller counterpart, it offered solid braking and adequate acceleration.

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 down the second row expanded the storage space to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate on higher trims. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display added to the vehicle's appeal, though some drivers might find the seating position and centre console slightly restrictive.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, with its extended length and 2,950 mm wheelbase, offered a spacious interior with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. Even with all three rows up, it provided 583 litres of storage space. The Grand Highlander's interior was comfortable, with good visibility and ample room in every row. It was a suitable alternative for those seeking a spacious vehicle without opting for a minivan.

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 on higher trims. The infotainment system was customizable, though voice-recognition capabilities were mixed. The Santa Fe's technology package included advanced driver assistance systems, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo on higher trims. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available through a connected-services subscription, providing additional functionality for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of standard 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, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, while not yet crash-tested, included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The suite offered advanced features like road-sign recognition and traffic jam assist, ensuring a high level of safety for drivers and passengers.