For any prospective buyer of a used SUV, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 and 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe are both great options. Where the Toyota offers a reputation for robustness and longevity, the Santa Fe fights with value on its side. Here's how they compare across a range of criteria with scores and insights from CarGurus team of expert reviewers.
2022 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
Look and Feel
CarGurus experts rate the 2022 Toyota RAV4 at 9 out of 10 for its look and feel, while the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 7 out of 10.
Since the launch of the original RAV4 in 1996, Toyota's family SUV has been through five generations, gaining in size and sophistication along the way. The 2022 RAV4 boasts contemporary crossover design, with subtle angular touches and distinctive headlight and grille styling. Inside, it features a well-organized and visually appealing cabin with thoughtful design cues, offering a high-quality feel throughout.
The Hyundai Santa Fe lineup was bolstered in 2022 by the arrival of a new XRT trim level, which added a more rugged appearance thanks to blacked-out exterior details and unique black alloy wheels. Inside, the XRT impresses with its stain-resistant fabric, heated front seats, and spacious rear-seat accommodations. While it may not be as upscale as the higher trims, the XRT offers a comfortable and family-friendly interior. If you do want a more upmarket Santa Fe, consider the Calligraphy trim, which exudes a level of quality from its interior fit and finish that is more likely to impress.
Performance
In the performance category, CarGurus experts rate the 2022 Toyota RAV4 at 8 out of 10 and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe at 6 out of 10.
The RAV4 offers three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It delivers impressive fuel efficiency with 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined for FWD and slightly less for AWD models. The RAV4 Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor for a combined net horsepower of 217 and exceptional fuel economy at 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid takes things up a notch with a 302-horsepower rating and a 42-mile electric-only range.
The 2022 Santa Fe is similarly available with gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The XRT trim comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque with fuel economy of 24 mpg. While not a powerhouse, it's adequate for everyday driving and delivers a refined performance. There's also an option for more power with the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine in the higher trims, offering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque and the same fuel economy. The Santa Fe's eight-speed automatic transmission is competent, and it offers various driving modes for flexibility. The plug-in hybrid Santa Fe was introduced for the 2022 model year, with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Santa Fe PHEV can travel up to 30 miles on of purely electric power. Between the gasoline and PHEV models is a standard Santa Fe Hybrid, which marries the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, returning between 32 mpg and 34 mpg.
Form and Function
CarGurus experts rate the 2022 Toyota RAV4 at 9 out of 10 for its form and function, and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe at 8 out of 10.
The RAV4 has evolved in size and versatility. It can hold up to 37.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row and a useful 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. It also boasts a substantial payload capacity ranging from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds, depending on the configuration. Towing capacity varies from 1,500 pounds to an impressive 3,500 pounds in Adventure and TRD Off-Road models.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe impresses with thoughtful features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear air conditioning vents for passenger comfort. The rear-seat area offers ample space for a family of four and accommodates child safety seats comfortably. The XRT trim includes rear side-window shades and a hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate." It's a close match for the RAV4 when it comes to cargo space, offering 36.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
Technology
When it comes to technology, CarGurus experts rate the 2022 Toyota RAV4 at 8 out of 10, reflecting its impressive array of features. The RAV4 range starts with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in base trims. This display provides easy access to entertainment and connectivity features including Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and streaming audio come standard across all models.
RAV4 XLE and higher trims upgrade to the Audio Plus system, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen and improved functionality.
The top-tier Limited models and the RAV4 Prime XSE take things to the next level with an 11-speaker JBL audio system, navigation, and a 10-inch color head-up display.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe goes one better, with a rating of 9 out of 10 for technology. The Santa Fe XRT boasts a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It's a combination that blends modernity with simplicity. There's also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services, free for the first three years and available on subscription thereafter. Bluelink enhances convenience with features like remote engine starting and vehicle location services.
The Santa Fe's infotainment system stands out for its user-friendly interface, featuring large power/volume and tuning knobs, clear on-screen graphics, and a logical menu structure.
If you opt for the SEL, Limited, or Calligraphy trims, you'll gain access to an even larger 10.25-inch touchscreen system with an impressive 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. Hyundai's digital key technology allows you to use your Android-based smartphone as a vehicle key for unlocking doors and starting the engine.
Safety
Both the 2022 Toyota RAV4 and 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe excel when it comes to safety, with ratings of 9 out of 10 and 10 out of 10 respectively.
The 2022 RAV4 comes equipped with Toyota's Star Safety System, including essential safety features like enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology.
LATCH child-seat lower anchors and tether anchors on all rear seats make it easy to secure child seats.
Safety Connect provides emergency assistance, stolen vehicle locator, roadside assistance, and automatic collision notification, all with a one-year complimentary subscription.
On top of all this, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a suite of advanced driver-assist systems, is standard and includes features like pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road sign recognition.
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking are available on higher grades.
The 2022 Santa Fe boasts an impressive suite of standard safety features under the Hyundai SmartSense umbrella, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.
On top of this there are some novel features such as Hyundai's Junction Turning Detection system, which automatically brakes if the driver attempts an unsafe left turn, enhancing safety in tricky situations. Safe Exit Assist meanwhile warns occupants not to open doors when approaching vehicles are detected.
Hyundai's Bluelink equips the Santa Fe with additional safety features, including automatic emergency assistance and customizable alerts for parents of teenage drivers.
Cost Effectiveness
When new, the 2022 RAV4 started at $26,975 and went up to $43,625. As a used buy there are various trim levels to look out for, including LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road, offering different levels of equipment and capability.
On top of that, the RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime models cater to environmentally-conscious consumers thanks to their ability to run on electric power.
The RAV4 holds its value well, which can make it look slightly expensive as a used buy compared with some rivals, contributing to a score of 7 out of 10 in this category. Remember though not to overlook the RAV4's reputation for dependability and durability, which should mean minimum time spent in the workshop.
Hyundai's value proposition is well-known, and the 2022 Santa Fe lived up to that reputation when new–and today as a used buy. Its competitive pricing is combined with generous warranties from new including a five-year, 60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a complimentary three-year/36,000-mile maintenance program. Even without the ownership perks the Santa Fe is a cost-effective option, but if you can find a car with some or all of those incentives still running it only adds to its appeal.
Overall the Hyundai Santa Fe scores 10 out of 10 for its cost effectiveness, shining with its competitive pricing, comprehensive warranties, and generous maintenance program.
Verdict
According to CarGurus experts, both the 2022 Toyota RAV4 and 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe score an impressive 8.3 out of 10 overall, and they are both easy to recommend as used buys. In many ways they offer a very similar overall package, right down to almost identical cargo space. When it comes to comparing these two contenders, therefore, we strongly recommend test driving both to see which you prefer. Either way you'll be getting a great family SUV.
Choose the 2022 Toyota RAV4 if:
- You value a wide range of model choices and are interested in Toyota's hybrid or plug-in hybrid options.
- Toyota's reputation for dependability and durability are essential to you.
- You have better access to a Toyota dealership for service and maintenance.
Search for a Toyota RAV4 on CarGurus
Choose the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe if:
- You're looking for exceptional value with competitive pricing and generous warranties from new that should carry over into used ownership.
- A strong suite of standard safety features is a priority for you.
- You appreciate a user-friendly infotainment system and thoughtful tech features.
Search for a Hyundai Santa Fe on CarGurus
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