2023 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented a sophisticated and luxurious appearance, with a focus on comfort and elegance. It featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine across its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models enhanced this with a hybrid system, adding a 75-kilowatt electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, standardizing all-wheel drive. The Aviator's design was praised for its modern Lincoln face, though the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain for its price point. The interior was lavish, with a mix of high-end materials and a somewhat busy design, featuring patterned metal trim, chrome accents, and rich leather seats. However, some elements, like the chrome detailing and key fob, felt less premium.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe embraced a bold and boxy design, diverging from Hyundai's recent sleek aesthetic. This new look was intended to maximize storage capacity while maintaining an upscale appearance. The Santa Fe's design turned heads, with sophisticated exterior colors and anodized-finish badging. The interior offered premium styling, especially in the XRT and Calligraphy trims, with a focus on comfort and practicality. The Santa Fe's cabin was spacious, with a focus on the cargo area, designed for car camping and tailgating. The interior materials ranged from stain-resistant cloth to plush quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim. The Santa Fe's design was both functional and elegant, with thoughtful touches like a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, delivered impressive performance with its 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Despite the added weight from its electric motor and battery, the Aviator offered a 21-mile electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. It featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowing for a tailored driving experience. The Aviator's handling was enhanced by its Dynamic Handling Package, providing a smooth and stable ride, though it lacked the fun factor in more aggressive driving modes. The brake pedal's inconsistent behavior was noted, a common issue with regenerative braking systems. Overall, the Aviator was quiet and comfortable, ideal for gliding down highways.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a base 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional, except for the XRT trim, which had standard AWD. The Santa Fe featured Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road capabilities. A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was also available, offering 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Fe's fuel economy varied by trim, with the hybrid achieving up to 36 mpg combined. The XRT trim offered increased towing capacity and off-road capability, making it suitable for adventurous outings. The Santa Fe's driving dynamics were smooth and stable, with some body roll through turns.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and supportive, but the third row was cramped and not suitable for adults. The Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in use, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet. The interior was luxurious, but the third row's limited space was a drawback for those needing full passenger capacity.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe focused on maximizing cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The design was inspired by "chabak," emphasizing a comfortable and spacious cargo area for car camping. The Santa Fe's interior was roomy, with a choice of bench or captain's chairs in the second row, depending on the trim. The cargo area offered 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 40.5 and 79.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Santa Fe's interior materials varied by trim, with options ranging from stain-resistant cloth to quilted Nappa leather. The design was practical and elegant, with thoughtful storage solutions and a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, and a WiFi hotspot. However, it ran on the older Sync 3 software, which had limitations in voice recognition and navigation accuracy. The Aviator's audio system was a standout, with a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D system. Smartphone-related tech included wireless charging and a Phone As A Key system. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were user-friendly, and parking sensors and a surround-view camera system aided in parking.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a curved panoramic display in the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, offering a seamless and elegant interface. The infotainment system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, and a WiFi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Hyundai's BlueLink system provided vehicle access and information, with upgraded functionality in higher trims. Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner were new additions, enhancing convenience and security.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came with Co-Pilot360 driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The test vehicle had additional features like blind-spot monitoring and evasive steering assist. The Aviator's safety tech performed well on highways but was less reliable in dense traffic. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet been crash-tested, but Hyundai vehicles typically perform well in safety evaluations. The Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system and remote automatic parking. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle with driver monitoring, enhancing safety and alertness.