2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E was a bold move by Ford, blending the iconic Mustang styling with a five-door electric crossover SUV. Its long, narrow, and tall dimensions, adorned with galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, and tri-bar taillights, created a unique visual appeal that resonated with consumers. The Mach-E GT, in particular, stood out with its aggressive design, featuring revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel reminiscent of a traditional grille. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury with its sport-bolstered seats wrapped in artificial leather and synthetic suede, complemented by copper stitching and piping. The cabin's high-end look was further enhanced by fabric on the dashboard and door panels, metallic and gloss-black trim, and two rectangular display screens, creating a sporty, upscale, and high-tech ambiance.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a radical departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that prioritized storage capacity and aerodynamics. The Santa Fe's upscale appearance turned heads, with sophisticated exterior colors and anodized-finish badging. The XRT trim added dark chrome and black cladding, while the Limited and Hybrid Calligraphy versions featured larger wheels. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling with a focus on comfort and functionality. The all-terrain XRT and loaded Calligraphy trims impressed with their soft-padded surfaces and decadent fabric headliner. Despite some hard materials in out-of-the-way surfaces, the Santa Fe's interior provided a relaxing and well-organized space, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of elegance and practicality.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of power and efficiency options, with standard-range and extended-range battery packs and single-motor RWD or dual-motor AWD systems. Horsepower varied from 266 to 480, with torque ranging from 317 to 634 lb-ft, and driving range spanning 224 to 312 miles. The Mach-E GT, equipped with an extended-range battery and AWD, delivered 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a 270-mile range. The GT Performance Edition package increased torque to 634 lb-ft, reduced range to 260 miles, and enhanced performance with adaptive damping suspension, larger brakes, and summer tires. Driving modes like Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, along with the exclusive Unbridled Extend mode, allowed for a customizable driving experience. Despite its firm suspension and choppy ride, the Mach-E GT impressed with its driving dynamics and efficiency, achieving 2.7 miles per kWh during testing.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. FWD was standard, with AWD optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD standard. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, with the XRT adding off-road modes. A 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid engine with 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque was also available. Fuel economy for FWD models was rated at 20/29/24 mpg, with AWD models slightly lower. The XRT's extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires reduced its ratings to 19/26/22 mpg but increased towing capacity to 4,500 pounds. The Santa Fe Calligraphy offered smooth and stable driving dynamics, with notable body roll through turns. The XRT trim excelled in off-road capability, comparable to other rugged SUVs, thanks to its ground clearance and robust tires.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV design, offered practicality alongside its sporty appeal. It accommodated up to five passengers and provided 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk. The Mach-E GT featured eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats wrapped in black ActiveX artificial leather and Miko synthetic suede. A tiered center console with covered and open storage areas added convenience. The rear seat comfortably accommodated passengers, and the standard panoramic glass roof enhanced the airy environment. The Mach-E's cargo space expanded to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the 4.7 cubic feet frunk included a drain plug for easy cleaning.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, inspired by the "chabak" concept, prioritized cargo space with a longer wheelbase and body. The extra-wide tailgate and terrace-like design made it ideal for car camping and tailgating. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows offered spacious comfort. The Santa Fe's interior featured stain-resistant cloth, synthetic leather, real leather, or quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, with ventilation added on higher trims. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Optional roof rails supported 220 pounds, and a new grab handle facilitated loading. Limited and Calligraphy models introduced a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, a feature conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A infotainment platform. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. Sync 4A's predictive capabilities and natural voice recognition enhanced the user experience, though a radio tuning knob and driving mode button were missed. The Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The Mach-E also included a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and Phone As A Key technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display in XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, offering intuitive controls and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims featured a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen. Wireless charging was available on most trims, with the Calligraphy offering dual wireless chargers. Hyundai's BlueLink system provided vehicle access and information, with Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner enhancing convenience and security.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change function and predictive speed assist. However, the system required constant monitoring, and a head-up display would have improved usability. The Mach-E received top marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022, though NHTSA ratings were incomplete.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keep assist. The XRT trim added highway limited hands-free driving, while the Limited trim included a 360-degree camera system and remote automatic parking. The Calligraphy featured a head-up display and upgraded collision avoidance systems. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai with driver monitoring, enhancing safety by detecting driver alertness and issuing warnings if necessary.