2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nostalgic nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since its 2010 redesign. Despite minor updates over the years, it retained a boxy shape that was fitting for an all-terrain vehicle, even if it seemed outdated compared to more modern SUVs. Its flared fenders and rugged grille design gave it a robust appearance, especially in the TRD Pro trim with its skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with an analog instrument panel and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that felt small by contemporary standards. The interior was filled with hard plastics, though cushioned panels provided some comfort. While it evoked nostalgia for some, others might have mistaken it for a well-kept used vehicle.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, presented a more modern aesthetic. Debuting in 2024, this fifth-generation model featured a chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase and pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps that aligned with Hyundai's design language. The rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim offered distinct wheel sizes, and the XRT trim added off-road elements like chrome and black trim. Inside, the Santa Fe provided ample space, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and captain's chairs. Despite some interior squeaks, the fit and finish were generally good, and the inclusion of physical HVAC dials was appreciated.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were competitive with rivals like the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind the ten-speed and eight-speed options of its competitors, affecting acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a loud engine that struggled for air. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways, though it absorbed road imperfections well.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged engine delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered a combined 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe handled corners well with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag and occasional transmission delays were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities, though it wasn't designed for rugged rock crawling.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, was functional with easy-to-use climate-control dials and driveline levers. Visibility was excellent, and the front seats offered ample space, though taller drivers might find the steering wheel's reach limited. The second row provided generous legroom, but headroom was restricted due to elevated seating. The 4Runner offered up to 1,337 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable 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 hitch receiver with a 2,268-kilogram towing capacity were practical features.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats had adjustable cushion angles, and both the second and third rows could be folded via buttons in the cargo area. With all seats folded, the Santa Fe provided up to 2,267 litres of cargo space. The rear opening was widened to 127.5 cm, facilitating the 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 Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered premium features like heated and ventilated seats and a premium audio system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the eight-inch touchscreen was small and lacked off-road-specific apps. The TRD Pro's 15-speaker JBL audio system delivered quality sound, though road noise often overshadowed it. Terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The system was user-friendly, though navigation was only available on higher trims. Multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad were included, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering a digital key and head-up display. Bluelink app connectivity provided remote vehicle management, and over-the-air updates ensured up-to-date software.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA and "Good" scores from IIHS in some tests. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning, though alerts were sometimes oversensitive. The TRD Pro and Limited trims offered a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance assist. Highway Drive Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane following assist, though it occasionally braked abruptly in traffic. The top trims offered additional features like blind spot avoidance and a Blind View Monitor. NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe four out of five stars, while IIHS rated it "Good" in most categories.