2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was built on the N3 platform, shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a noticeable size increase over its 2022 predecessor. It was 7.1 inches longer, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, enhancing rear-seat legroom. The model was also about an inch taller and half an inch wider. The Sportage Hybrid featured a bold design with angular LED headlights and distinctive "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, setting it apart from other vehicles. The interior was centered around a large optional infotainment display, with a minimalist and elegant design. However, the SynTex artificial leather upholstery felt somewhat cheap, despite Kia's promotion of it as an "animal-free" alternative.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a unique aesthetic, diverging from the sleek, futuristic designs of other Hyundai models like the Ioniq 5 and 6. The Santa Fe embraced a boxy design, which Hyundai's design chief, SangYup Lee, described as optimal for storage capacity. Despite its boxy shape, the Santa Fe was aerodynamically efficient and visually appealing, drawing attention even in rural settings. It offered a sophisticated palette of exterior colors and various wheel options, with the XRT trim adding dark chrome and black cladding. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted premium styling, with a focus on comfort and elegance, particularly in the higher trims like the Calligraphy.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor, producing a combined 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter standard on higher trims. The powertrain delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid provided a comfortable ride, aided by a well-tuned transmission and quiet cabin, although its steering felt artificially heavy in Sport mode. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a base 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD standard. The Santa Fe included various driving modes, including off-road settings for the XRT. A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was also available, producing 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Fe's fuel economy varied by model, with the hybrid achieving up to 36 mpg combined. It had a towing capacity of up to 4,500 pounds in the XRT trim, thanks to additional cooling features.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version. It provided more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids but less for second-row passengers. The Sportage Hybrid featured a dual-level cargo floor, offering 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. It also included clever storage solutions, such as a rotary shift knob and adjustable cupholders.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe emphasized cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The design was inspired by the concept of "chabak," focusing on car camping and tailgating. The Santa Fe offered a spacious cargo area with an extra-wide tailgate and plenty of storage. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows were spacious and comfortable, with options for reclining captain's chairs. The Santa Fe provided 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. It also featured innovative touches like a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a panoramic display combining the infotainment screen with a digital instrument cluster. The system was user-friendly, with touch controls and analog knobs for audio and climate adjustments. Hybrid models included multiple USB-C ports, wireless phone charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display in higher trims, providing an elegant and intuitive interface. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen, while higher trims included wireless charging and Hyundai's BlueLink system for vehicle access. The Santa Fe also introduced Hyundai Pay for secure transactions and a biometric fingerprint scanner for added security.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It offered standard safety features like forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe also lacked crash-test ratings but included a comprehensive suite of safety features. The base SE trim offered adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a head-up display. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle with driver monitoring, enhancing safety by detecting driver alertness.