2024 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

When the current-generation XC90 went on sale nearly a decade ago, it marked the Swedish automaker’s pivot from its boxy and boring past to a future defined by design, quality, and technology. Volvo used the XC90’s blueprint throughout its lineup of cars, SUVs, and wagons, building a bridge to its electrified future. Has it overstayed its welcome? Perhaps, and it carries over this year without changes. But having spent a week driving the 2024 XC90 Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid, it remains an appealing choice in the luxury SUV segment.

Verdict: Beautifully styled, inside and out, and offering a range of powertrains that includes a plug-in hybrid variant, the 2024 Volvo XC90 stands out in its field. However, it commands a steep price tag, and its safety tech isn’t as innovative as what you’ll find in some rival SUVs.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is fully redesigned for 2024. It marks a significant departure for the brand in terms of styling, with a bold and blocky profile and stance reminiscent of, dare we say it, a certain British brand known for its off-road prowess. The Santa Fe’s redesign has as much substance as style, with a longer wheelbase, standard third-row seats, and new premium amenities, including a “terrace” approach to designing passenger and cargo space.

Verdict: Based on our exploration and time behind the wheel, the 2024 Santa Fe’s redesign is successful, as long as it doesn’t overshadow the rest of Hyundai’s lineup.