2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this connection was evident in its design cues, such as hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and strong fender creases. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring more chrome brightwork. Our tester, presented in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard layout, with physical dials and buttons for volume and climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. Power-adjustable front seats and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof were standard across the lineup, enhancing customization and comfort.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a departure from Hyundai's recent design language, opting for a boxy shape that prioritized storage capacity. This design choice, explained by Hyundai's design chief SangYup Lee, aimed to create an elegant and premium-looking box. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Santa Fe was more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessor and garnered attention with its upscale look. The exterior featured sophisticated colours, matte options, and anodized-finish badging. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Ultimate Calligraphy trims showcasing a mix of hard and soft materials. The headliner fabric added a touch of luxury, and the overall design was both soothing and cocooning.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, delivering 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This marked an increase of 46 hp and 182 lb-ft over the previous V8 model. Fuel economy improved significantly, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. In Canada, the Sequoia came standard with 4WD, featuring a part-time system with a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the TRD Pro models included a skid plate for added protection. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with available towing-related upgrades.

In Canada, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a hybrid powertrain as the entry-level option, featuring a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Unlike most hybrids, it used a six-speed automatic transmission. Other models came with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. AWD was standard across all trims. The Santa Fe Hybrid achieved a fuel economy of 6.8 L/100 km city, 6.9 highway, and 6.9 combined. The XRT trim offered additional ground clearance and off-road capabilities, with a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms. On-road performance was smooth, with notable body roll through turns, while the XRT excelled in off-road conditions.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. Inside, it offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for access to the back row, and the third-row seats folded at the push of a button, though they didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was slightly reduced, and legroom varied across rows. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's design focused on cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The cargo area, inspired by the "chabak" concept, featured an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows were spacious and comfortable. The Santa Fe offered various seating options, including stain-resistant cloth, synthetic leather, real leather, and quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilation available on higher trims. The cargo area provided 413 litres of space, expanding to 1,148 and 2,267 litres with the third and second rows folded, respectively. Roof rails and a grab handle added practicality.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone trim was equipped with a range of features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashy design. A full-colour 12.3-inch driver information display was standard across all trims. The Panoramic View monitor was standard on Platinum and Capstone trims, aiding in parking and maneuvering. The Capstone also featured a 10-inch colour head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display that elegantly integrated digital real estate. The touchscreen display offered intuitive menus, crisp graphics, and easy phone pairing with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and six USB ports were included. The Preferred trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display with four USB ports. Wireless charging was available on higher trims, with the Ultimate Calligraphy and NHL Edition offering dual wireless chargers. Hyundai's BlueLink system provided vehicle access and information, with upgraded features on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on Platinum and Capstone trims. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Hyundai vehicles typically performed well in these evaluations. The base Preferred trim included a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and remote automatic parking. The Ultimate Calligraphy and NHL Edition included a widescreen head-up display and upgraded safety systems. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle with driver monitoring, enhancing safety.