2021 Lexus NX Hybrid vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a bold design with SE, SEL, and Limited trims. The 2.0T versions featured a turbocharged engine for enhanced performance, and AWD was available. Buyers could choose from various paint and interior colors, along with dealer-installed accessories. The Limited 2.0T trim, priced at $39,170, included floor mats. The Santa Fe's exterior design was daring, with a distinctive grille and lighting elements, while the interior boasted a dramatic dual-cowl dashboard and diamond-textured speaker grilles. Despite high-style design, materials were not as premium, though build quality was excellent.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid, positioned between the UX and RX, maintained a familiar yet sharp design. It shared a platform with the older Toyota RAV4, making it less advanced than its sibling. The F Sport Black Line model featured a larger mesh grille, dark-finish wheels, and Grecian Water paint. The interior, once radical, had become familiar, with a stepped center console and sporty elements like aluminum pedals. However, material quality felt more mainstream than luxury, with plastic switchgear and trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, with a curb weight between 3,591 and 3,946 pounds, offered a standard 185-hp 2.4-liter engine, but the 235-hp 2.0T turbocharged engine was preferred for its 260 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with optional AWD. The Santa Fe could tow up to 3,500 pounds and achieved 23 mpg combined, though our test returned 22.1 mpg. It provided a smooth ride, decent handling, and quiet highway experience, excelling in moderate off-roading.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor for 194 hp and standard AWD. Despite sporty F Sport styling, it reached 0-60 mph in 9.1 seconds, with a top speed of 112 mph. The hybrid focused on efficiency, but the drivetrain struggled with transitions between electric and gasoline power. The sport-tuned suspension improved handling, but steering felt numb. Drive modes offered minimal impact on performance, with Eco mode further reducing acceleration.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe featured thoughtful design with creative storage and stain-resistant fabric. The Limited 2.0T trim had power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone climate control included a Clean Air ionizer. Rear seats were comfortable with sunshades and heated cushions. Cargo space was 35.9 cubic feet, expanding to 71.3 cubic feet, with additional storage under the floor. The hands-free liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid had limited front and rear headroom, with cramped rear seats due to thick pillars. Front seats offered excellent support, with 10-way power adjustment and available heated and ventilated options. The dashboard design was sporty, with easy-to-reach controls. Cargo space was limited to 16.8 cubic feet, expanding to 53.7 cubic feet. A power-folding second row and power liftgate were available but not standard.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a touchscreen, stereo control knobs, and shortcut buttons. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. SEL trim added SiriusXM and Blue Link services. Limited trim featured an 8-inch display, navigation, surround-view camera, and Infinity sound system. A head-up display provided additional data.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, with an 8-inch display and a difficult-to-use Remote Touch Interface touchpad. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. Analog controls were available for climate and audio. The base audio system was subpar, with an optional 14-speaker Mark Levinson system.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. SEL trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star NHTSA rating. It included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 with forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard.