Lexus NX Hybrid vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid was reminiscent of a pair of "dad jeans"—practical and offering great value, yet lacking modern flair. Despite a refresh in 2021, its design appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Sorento. The Santa Fe's exterior featured a handsome grille and flush-mounted headlights, but its silhouette was criticized for being too soft and lacking the chiseled look of contemporary SUVs. Inside, the Santa Fe prioritized function over form, with a centre console filled with physical buttons and knobs, making it easy to use but not particularly stylish.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid was characterized by its over-stylized design, particularly with its aggressive front featuring a large spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. The profile was sporty, with rounded edges and dark trim elements, while the fastback roof shape added a coupe-like flair. Inside, the NX combined sporty aesthetics with modern technology, including a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen. The F Sport 3 model boasted sporty elements like dark graphite aluminum trim and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, enhancing its upscale feel.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid delivered a balanced performance with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It offered impressive fuel economy, with estimates of 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 7.4 combined. The hybrid's power was managed through a six-speed automatic transmission, and its HTRAC AWD system provided flexibility in power distribution, enhancing traction in challenging conditions. The Santa Fe Hybrid was praised for its quiet ride and compliant suspension, though its handling and steering were described as adequate rather than exceptional.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was not as sporty as its name suggested. It featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, delivering 240 horsepower. The NX's handling was controlled but not agile, with a firm suspension that provided a comfortable ride despite its sporty pretensions. The hybrid powertrain offered a 7.2-second 0 to 96 km/h time, but power delivery was not particularly exhilarating. The NX's drivetrain felt slushy, and while it was quick enough for everyday driving, it lacked the engaging performance some might expect from a sporty hybrid.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the centre stack. However, the centre stack itself was massive, with limited storage space. Rear passengers enjoyed a panoramic sunroof and 1,035 millimetres of legroom, while the cargo area offered 1,032 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,041 litres with the seats folded. The Santa Fe Hybrid's interior was practical, with heated and ventilated front seats and a hands-free power liftgate as standard features.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model offered well-bolstered front seats with ample room and comfort features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. Rear seat space was adequate for average-sized adults, though legroom was limited at 917 millimetres. The NX's cargo space was relatively low for its class, with 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with the seats folded. Despite its coupe-like roofline, the NX provided enough room for everyday needs.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen featuring onboard navigation, Bluetooth, OTA map updates, and dynamic voice recognition. It supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, providing a clear view of essential driving information. However, the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was not available in Canada.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was optional, as was a head-up display and wireless phone charger. The NX offered a three-year Remote Connect subscription, allowing remote vehicle access and status alerts. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick responses and physical controls for volume and temperature.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and more. However, some advanced features like the surround-view monitor were not available in Canada.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid also performed well in safety tests, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The NX's safety systems were effective, though the adaptive cruise control was somewhat complex to operate.