2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in Canada in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, maintained its bold, boxy design from its 2024 debut. This three-row SUV featured a long wheelbase, flat hood, and distinctive H-shaped LED headlamps, aligning with Hyundai's design language. The Santa Fe offered vibrant colours like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue, breaking away from the typical greyscale SUV palette. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal, affecting the overall visual balance. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which offered captain's chairs in the second row. The interior, while generally well-finished, had some squeaks and rattles, and the HVAC controls were not entirely user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna, despite efforts to enhance its style, retained its minivan essence. The trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines added some flair, but the Sienna's design still echoed the boxy practicality of a minivan. The Limited trim with the Platinum package featured new flower-petal wheel designs and a fresh Magnetic Grey paint colour. Inside, the Sienna's interior updates included a woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna offered seating for up to eight, with a focus on practicality and comfort. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were a hit, and the hands-free power liftgate added convenience. However, the Sienna's maximum cargo capacity was limited compared to rivals, as the second-row seats couldn't be removed or stowed in the floor.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 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 in Canada. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, also with standard AWD. The Santa Fe offered stable handling, 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 off-road capabilities, though it wasn't designed for rugged terrain.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The standard front-wheel drive could be upgraded to all-wheel drive, which added a rear-mounted electric motor. The Sienna's net horsepower was 245, which was modest for a vehicle seating up to eight and towing up to 1,587 kilograms. However, the electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. The hybrid powertrain prioritized fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Sienna offered predictable handling, though the steering lacked precision, and the brakes showed signs of fading during intense use. The XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more engaging drive.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats featured adjustable cushion angles, and both the second and third rows could be folded with the press of a button, providing up to 2,267 litres of cargo space. With all seats in use, the Santa Fe still offered 413 litres of cargo space. The rear opening was widened to 127.5 cm, making it easier to load bulky items. Most trims could tow up to 1,587 kilograms, with the XRT trim capable of towing 2,040 kilograms.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna prioritized practicality with its seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, while the second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were a hit with passengers. The third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably, and the hands-free power liftgate added convenience. The Sienna offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the third row stowed. However, the maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than rivals, as the second-row seats couldn't be removed or stowed in the floor.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a digital gauge cluster of the same size. The system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick response times. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though built-in navigation was reserved for higher trims. Multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad were available, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering a digital rearview mirror and head-up display. Bluelink app connectivity allowed for remote climate control and vehicle monitoring, with over-the-air updates ensuring up-to-date software.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. The Limited trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered connected services with varying subscription periods, including a digital assistant for voice commands. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and the Limited trim featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. The four-zone climate control system and digital rearview camera added convenience, though the audio system's default settings produced excessive bass.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision avoidance assist. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance assist and Highway Drive Assist. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, with "Acceptable" scores for headlights and LATCH.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sienna received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it scored lower in frontal crash tests. The new rear-seat reminder technology added an extra layer of safety for families.