2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's other models, yet it remained an attractive SUV. It continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in a Stormy Sea color with a black-on-black interior, had a base price of $42,600, with additional costs bringing the total MSRP to $45,845. The Santa Fe's distinctive wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights gave it a unique look, though the rest of the design was more subdued. Inside, the black leather seats in the Calligraphy trim offered a high-quality feel, though the interior was somewhat dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable and attractive, with standard heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a true crossover with a spacious interior. It was larger than its competitors, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. The Grand Highlander's design was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. It featured a trapezoidal grille with a smaller horizontal slit above it, resembling the Toyota 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with Softex synthetic leather on the XLE and real leather on the higher trims. The Platinum trim offered Portobello upholstery with the top-spec engine. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and heated front seats standard. The Limited and Platinum trims added ventilation and a heated steering wheel. The Grand Highlander excelled as a road-trip vehicle, with high-quality materials and seamless construction.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 hp and 311 pound-feet. The turbocharged engine, available in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, worked with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. The turbocharged version provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The turbo version could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. The gas and hybrid engines were available with FWD and AWD, while the Hybrid Max was AWD only. The Hybrid Max delivered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander featured three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for AWD-equipped models. The standard turbo gas-engine model accounted for 85% of sales, offering adequate acceleration and solid brakes. The steering feel was somewhat numb, but the Grand Highlander excelled in comfort and road manners.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered ample rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and competitive cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo area to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's seat comfort was a strength, with an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats in the SEL and higher trims. The Limited trim added ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The Calligraphy trim featured a head-up display, premium trim, and ambient lighting. The panoramic sunroof was a highlight, though the driver's seat position could be a minor issue for some.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, with a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet. It offered 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with good visibility and ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row. A six-foot adult could comfortably sit in the third row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a standard 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the Limited and Calligraphy trims. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch display in the base SE trim, while higher trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The voice-recognition system had mixed results, handling navigation commands well but struggling with music and temperature adjustments.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, along with cloud-based navigation and live agent assistance. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with additional subscription options for enhanced functionality.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above trims. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with high ratings in crashworthiness tests.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, as a new model, had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.