Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000, with the base Hybrid LE starting at $51,435, including destination charges and fees. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, while a front-wheel drive version was available in the U.S. The Highlander Hybrid offered upgrades to the XLE AWD with a Special Edition package or the Limited trim with a Platinum package. The Limited trim with the Platinum package had an MSRP of $61,800 in Canada. The 2023 model saw minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid's design was considered over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior featured large elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and oversized controls, but the quality was questioned due to mismatched textures and inexpensive-feeling controls. Despite these issues, the Highlander Hybrid was noted for its quiet ride.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid shared similarities with "dad jeans" in terms of styling, being practical but not modern or hip. The fourth-generation Santa Fe, refreshed in 2021, appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers. Its design was described as soft and bloated, lacking the strong and chiseled look of competitors. The Santa Fe Hybrid featured a handsome grille and flush-mounted headlights, with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard in Canada. The silhouette was tall but lacked definition, and the rear design was casual with a high-mounted rear window. The Santa Fe prioritized function over form, offering a spacious interior with a large trunk. Inside, the centre console was filled with physical buttons and knobs, making it easy to use but not stylish.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, plus a third motor for the rear wheels, providing standard AWD. It delivered 243 combined horsepower, tasked with moving 2,060 kilograms in Limited trim. The electric motors assisted with acceleration and allowed for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power. Towing capacity was rated at 1,588 kilograms, but the lack of power made it less ideal for towing. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with a Trail mode for light off-road use. Fuel economy was a focus, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system, but real-world efficiency was lower than expected at 8.2 L/100 km. The driving experience was described as uninspiring, with soft suspension and a CVT contributing to a lack of engagement.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It offered impressive fuel economy estimates of 7.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 7.4 combined. Power was managed by a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and the HTRAC AWD system could split power between the front and rear wheels. The Santa Fe Hybrid was more powerful than the base gas-powered models and offered better fuel efficiency than higher trims. The ride quality was praised for its noise insulation and ability to handle rough roads. While not designed for speed or agility, the Santa Fe Hybrid excelled in providing a comfortable and quiet ride.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was designed to accommodate family life, with seating for seven or eight people depending on the configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third row best for occasional use. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats in higher trims. The interior offered power-adjustable front seats and comfortable second-row captain's chairs. However, accessing the third row was challenging, and the seats were not very comfortable. The Highlander Hybrid provided various storage options, including a dashboard shelf and rubber-lined cupholders, but some storage areas were unlined. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row and up to 2,387 litres with the second row folded.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the centre stack. The centre stack was filled with well-labeled physical controls for easy access to climate and drive mode settings. Rear passengers enjoyed a panoramic sunroof, manual sunshades, and 1,035 millimetres of legroom. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 2,041 litres with the seats folded. The interior included heated and ventilated front seats with leatherette upholstery and an eight-way power driver's seat. The Santa Fe Hybrid provided ample space and comfort for passengers and cargo without sacrificing practicality.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with various themes. However, the controls for the screen were not intuitive. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, with over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected service plans were standard, with Remote Connect allowing remote access to vehicle functions. The Drive Connect service plan offered additional features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, which provided decent sound quality. Overall, the infotainment system was user-friendly, but the graphics could be improved.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and onboard navigation as standard in Canada. The screen offered Bluetooth, OTA map updates, and dynamic voice recognition. The infotainment system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided a clear view of driving information. The U.S.-spec test unit featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, but this was not available in Canada. The Santa Fe Hybrid's technology was up-to-date and easy to use, with seamless smartphone integration.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), a standard suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Higher trims gained front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, except in certain situations with unclear lane markings. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid emphasized safety with a comprehensive set of features. While the surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor were not available in Canada, the Santa Fe Hybrid included adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, safe exit assist, and rear occupant alert. The Santa Fe Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, highlighting its commitment to passenger safety.