2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2024 Volvo XC90, available in Canada in B6 and Recharge T8 model series, was a testament to Volvo's commitment to luxury and sustainability. The B6 model featured a turbocharged and supercharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the Recharge T8 was a plug-in hybrid offering superior performance and efficiency, with an estimated electric-only range of 53 kilometres. Both models came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and were offered in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $71,550 to $94,500, excluding destination charges and fees. The Recharge T8 Ultimate trim, which we tested, boasted seven-passenger seating, a Lounge Package with massaging front seats, an active air suspension, and a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The exterior design was characterized by a subdued and earthy paint palette, with various appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches in diameter, and a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal accents. Inside, the XC90's interior, though dated, was fitted with rich materials, including wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, was a bold and boxy three-row SUV with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps and taillights were a nod to Hyundai's design aesthetic, with brighter colour options like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue. The rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim had specific wheel designs, ranging from 18 inches on the XRT to 21 inches on the Ultimate Calligraphy. The XRT trim added chrome and black trim, along with black roof rails, for an off-road-focused look. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, except in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which featured second-row captain's chairs. Depending on the trim, upholstery options included leatherette, leather, or Nappa leather. While the fit and finish were generally good, some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The inclusion of physical dials for HVAC temperature was appreciated, though the fan speed buttons were less intuitive.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6 model’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing a total of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Recharge T8 offered 53 kilometres of electric-only driving in Pure mode, though real-world testing showed a range of 45 kilometres. As a hybrid, it averaged 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, slightly above the predicted 8.9 L/100 km. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, and Off-Road, with the latter offering up to 25 centimetres of ground clearance. Despite its power, the XC90 was more of a luxury SUV than a performance vehicle, with firm ride quality and handling that lacked sharpness and communication.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, equipped with a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivered 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, with AWD standard across the lineup. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting duties. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag and occasional transmission hesitation were noted. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 21.2 centimetres of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. However, the Santa Fe was not designed for rugged rock crawling, performing best on graded dirt roads with small obstacles.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a well-equipped interior, even in the base Core trim, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, optional leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims included features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90 seated seven, or six with optional captain’s chairs, with a comfortable second-row bench and tight third-row access. Cargo capacity was 1,854 litres with the third row folded and 2,426 litres with the second row down.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim came with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe boasted the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seat cushions. Cargo space was 1,148 litres with the third row folded and 2,267 litres with the second row down, with 413 litres available with all seats occupied. The rear opening was widened to 127.5 cm, with a height of 81 cm, facilitating the loading of large items. Most trims could tow 1,587 kilograms, with the XRT capable of 2,040 kilograms.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The system was intuitive, despite its small size, and included a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The XC90 also had a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and optional head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a digital gauge cluster of the same size, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims included built-in navigation. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. The Santa Fe also featured a digital key, digital rearview mirror, and head-up display on higher trims. Bluelink app connectivity and over-the-air updates were standard.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in all but rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ in 2023. However, its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were not as innovative as rivals, with Pilot Assist struggling in certain situations.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance assist. Highway Drive Assist was available, though it occasionally exhibited inconsistent behaviour in traffic. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it "Good" in most categories.