2024 Toyota Sequoia 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. It continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in a Stormy Sea color with a black-on-black interior, had a base price of $42,600, with additional costs bringing the total MSRP to $45,845. The Santa Fe's styling was marked by its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, while the interior, though high-quality, was dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable, and the vehicle offered heated and cooled front seats as standard in the Calligraphy trim.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared design cues with the Tundra pickup, featuring hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model in Celestial Silver appearing somewhat dated. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dash layout, with physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, and all trims offered power-adjustable front seats. The Sequoia included a power-tilt and -slide moonroof or an upgraded panoramic version, enhancing its appeal.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, available in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost with 311 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four modes and push-button gears. The turbocharged version excelled in acceleration and passing power, with smooth handling and minimal body lean. The turbo model could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available in a hybrid format, utilizing the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, offering improved fuel economy at 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The Sequoia's TRD Pro trim was equipped with 4WD and off-road features, while other trims offered 4WD as an option. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's towing capacity reached 9,520 pounds in the SR5 RWD trim.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness with two rows of seats, providing 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded storage to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe offered comfortable seating, with power-adjustable and heated front seats in higher trims. Features like dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof added to its appeal. However, the wide center console limited driver leg space, and the driver's seat height adjustment could be problematic.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured automatic power-deploying running boards and offered up to 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both rear rows folded. The third-row seats, positioned above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, did not create a flat load floor. The Sequoia's interior dimensions included 39.2 inches of front legroom and 28.1 to 33.7 inches in the third row. Second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims, but they lacked bolstering for passenger support.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. Infotainment options included an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base trim, while other trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The voice-recognition system had mixed results, struggling with certain commands.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim boasted a 14-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashy graphics. A 12.3-inch driver-information display was standard across all trims, and the Panoramic View monitor was included. The Sequoia offered a 10-inch color head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system in higher trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Tow Technology Package added optional driver aids. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing, but the similar Toyota Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation.