Toyota Land Cruiser 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 Despite a refresh in 2021, its design appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Sorento.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 squared-up grille and flush-mounted headlights, but its overall silhouette seemed too soft for a contemporary SUV. The vehicle's dimensions placed it awkwardly between compact and three-row crossovers, resulting in a two-row midsize SUV with a spacious trunk but a somewhat frumpy appearance. Inside, the Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized function over style, with a large centre console filled with physical controls, making it easy to use but not particularly stylish.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced its iconic status with a boxy design and flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. The heritage grille and LED lighting paid homage to earlier models, while modern updates like colour-selectable fog lights added a contemporary twist. The Land Cruiser's interior focused on comfort and capability, with features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a moonroof in higher trims. The cabin's design echoed Toyota's truck lineup, with cushy seats and contrast stitching enhancing comfort. The Land Cruiser's emphasis on off-road capability was evident in its design, making it a rugged yet comfortable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offered a blend of performance and efficiency with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor, delivering a total of 226 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Its fuel economy was impressive, with estimates of 7.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 7.4 combined. The hybrid powertrain was managed by a six-speed automatic transmission, and the HTRAC AWD system provided flexibility in power distribution, enhancing traction in challenging conditions. While not the quickest, the Santa Fe Hybrid excelled in noise insulation and ride quality, offering a quiet and composed driving experience.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time 4WD, equipped with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select, automatic limited-slip differential, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar. The updated CRAWL control function provided precise low-speed control over challenging terrain, making the Land Cruiser a formidable off-road performer.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the centre stack. However, the stack itself was massive, with limited storage space. Rear passengers enjoyed a panoramic sunroof and ample 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.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two rows of seating, with headroom measuring 917 mm in the front and 897 mm in the back. The centre console provided easy access to off-road features, while the cargo area, equipped with a rubber mat, offered 1,063 litres of space. The Land Cruiser's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with features like a centre console cool box and a 120-volt AC outlet in the trunk, enhancing its usability for adventurous outings.

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 wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided essential driving information. However, the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was not available in Canada.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor system, enhancing the 12.3-inch centre touchscreen's utility on off-road courses. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, a head-up display, and a digital rear-view mirror, enhancing the Land Cruiser's tech offerings.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and more. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, highlighting its commitment to passenger safety.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. The Premium Package and First Edition added advanced features like lane-change assist and front cross-traffic alert, enhancing its safety credentials.