2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Lexus GX

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 presented a stark contrast to its predecessor, the 2023 GX 460, with its bold geometric styling. The redesigned midsize SUV featured a less pronounced spindle grille, flanked by standard triple-beam LED headlights that sat at the squared-off upper edge of the front fascia. The new front end stood more vertically, giving the vehicle a more aggressive look, while the flat hood rose on the sides to aid drivers in maintaining positional awareness off-road. The GX's profile appeared as if carved from a solid metal block, with minimal character lines and a low window beltline to enhance visibility. The vehicle was offered in a single trim level in Canada, with five packages available, each catering to different preferences, from luxury to off-roading.

The interior of the GX blended luxury with utilitarian materials, featuring standard heated and ventilated front seats and a large 14-inch touchscreen display. The dashboard was flat and upright, with physical controls for off-road features and climate control. While not as luxurious as a Land Rover Defender or a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the third-generation Lexus GX was designed for durability and hard use. The Overtrail packages focused on off-roading, with features like 18-inch wheels and eco-friendly Nuluxe leatherette upholstery, while the Luxury models emphasized comfort with 22-inch wheels and ambient lighting.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in three trims in Canada, maintained its design from the previous year, showcasing a chunky, boxy appearance with a long wheelbase and flat hood. The H-shaped LED headlamps and taillights fit well with Hyundai's design aesthetic, although the rear taillights' placement was criticized for visual imbalance. Each trim had specific wheel sizes, with the off-road-focused XRT trim featuring chrome and black exterior accents. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, except in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which replaced the second-row bench with captain's chairs. The interior was well-finished, though some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The Santa Fe's interior space was a highlight, with adjustable second-row seats and ample cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Lexus GX transitioned from a V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided impressive torque low in the rev range, enhancing off-road capability. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX offered a stiffer chassis for improved stability on and off-road. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and standard full-time four-wheel drive with a locking Torsen limited-slip centre differential ensured robust off-road performance. The Overtrail packages added a locking rear differential and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for increased wheel articulation. Despite its weight of 2,570 kilograms, the GX demonstrated controlled handling on-road and off-road.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. While the Santa Fe felt stable in corners with firm brakes and responsive steering, turbo lag and occasional transmission delays were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some adjustment. The XRT trim offered enhanced off-road capability with 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance. However, the Santa Fe was not designed for rugged off-roading, performing best on graded dirt roads.

The 2024 Lexus GX's interior was minimalist and sophisticated, with fewer physical buttons than its predecessor. Rotary knobs for climate control and physical buttons for off-roading features were retained. The GX offered comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the first and second rows, with 1,047 millimetres of legroom in the front and 933 mm in the second row. The third row, available in certain packages, was tight for adults. The GX excelled in cargo space, with 292 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,138 litres with the third row folded, and a total of 2,178 litres. Overtrail models offered even more cargo capacity.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample interior space, with the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats had an adjustable cushion angle, and both the second and third rows could be folded for increased cargo space. With the third row folded, the Santa Fe offered 1,148 litres of space, expanding to 2,267 litres with the second row folded. The rear opening was widened to 127.5 cm, facilitating easy loading of large items. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied by trim, with the XRT capable of towing up to 2,040 kilograms.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a 14-inch touchscreen with the Lexus Interface infotainment system, offering Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a voice assistant and subscription-based services like Drive Connect and Remote Connect. The GX came with a 10-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, subscription costs for certain features were a consideration for long-term ownership.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a digital gauge cluster. The system was easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. The Santa Fe offered a digital key feature and Bluelink app connectivity for remote vehicle management. Higher trims included additional features like a digital rearview mirror and head-up display.

The 2024 Lexus GX received significant safety upgrades with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and road-sign recognition. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the modern architecture and advanced driver assistance systems improved confidence in its safety.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance assist. Higher trims added features like Highway Drive Assist and Blind View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, with some exceptions.