2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged look. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line over the rear wheel arch, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the grille's shape, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride. Inside, the Highlander had an unconventional asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high for reduced distraction, but the Bronze Edition's light grey fabric seats were prone to dirt and felt less durable.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a conservative yet attractive design. The five-passenger SUV offered five trims, with the Calligraphy AWD trim showcasing a deep blue exterior and black interior. The Santa Fe's wide grilles and thin LED headlights provided a distinctive look, while the interior featured high-quality materials, though the black-on-black theme felt monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable, with heated and cooled options in the Calligraphy trim. The Santa Fe's cabin was praised for its comfort, though the wide center console slightly reduced driver leg space.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD. AWD was available via an electric motor for the rear axle. It reached 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, with the hybrid powertrain providing a quick but tepid initial response. The ride was soft, with the suspension smoothing bumps, and the cabin remained quiet on highways.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a 2.5-liter engine with options for natural aspiration or turbocharging. The turbocharged version in the Limited and Calligraphy trims delivered 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The turbocharged Santa Fe provided immediate acceleration with no turbo lag, and the ride was smooth with minimal body lean. The Santa Fe's performance was impressive for its class, with a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds for the turbo version.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid's front seats were comfortable, with ample storage options. The second row was spacious, accommodating tall passengers, while the third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2023 Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Santa Fe excelled in seat comfort, with features like dual-zone climate control and a hands-free liftgate. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display added to the appeal, though the driver's seat position could be awkward for some.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for top trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons aiding operation. Higher trims offered navigation and a JBL audio system.

The 2023 Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 4.2-inch display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital cluster in higher trims. The 10.25-inch touchscreen offered navigation, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims provided excellent sound quality. The voice-recognition system had mixed results, but customization options were impressive.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid received a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Some systems needed fine-tuning, like the adaptive cruise control's abrupt stops.

The 2023 Santa Fe also earned a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It featured forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Highway Driving Assist added convenience, and safety reminders like the rear-seat alert were appreciated.