2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was praised for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the CX-5 had its drawbacks, including a small back seat, limited cargo space, and a frustrating infotainment system. Mazda's decision to redesign and rename the CX-5 as the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's renaming of the G37 to the Q50 and Q60. The hope was that loyal CX-5 customers would transition smoothly to the CX-50.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold new design that deviated from the sleek, futuristic aesthetics of Hyundai's Ioniq models. The Santa Fe embraced a boxy shape, which Hyundai's design chief, SangYup Lee, described as optimal for storage capacity. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Santa Fe was aerodynamically efficient and turned heads with its upscale look. The vehicle featured a palette of sophisticated exterior colors and anodized-finish badging. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims showcasing luxurious materials and thoughtful design elements. The Santa Fe's interior was both elegant and functional, with features like a cocooning fabric headliner and ample storage options.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged engine delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The CX-5's turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive acceleration and a pleasant engine note. However, fuel economy was a concern, as the turbo model returned 21.4 mpg in combined driving during testing, falling short of the expected 24 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured 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 (FWD) was standard, with AWD optional, except for the XRT trim, which had standard AWD. The Santa Fe also offered a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine with 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy for the FWD base model was rated at 24 mpg combined, while the AWD and XRT models had slightly lower ratings. The Santa Fe's performance was smooth and stable, with notable body roll through turns. The XRT trim excelled in off-road capability, thanks to its ground clearance and robust tires.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates to its front seats for improved comfort and support. The interior featured high-quality materials, with the Signature trim offering luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's technology, storage space, rear-seat room, and cargo space were less impressive. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, and the cargo area offered 30.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a longer wheelbase and body, resulting in a spacious cargo area designed for car camping and tailgating. The interior was well-designed, with spacious first and second rows, while the third row was snug. The Santa Fe offered a choice of seating configurations, with various upholstery options depending on the trim. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Santa Fe also featured innovative elements like a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was criticized for its functionality. The system lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls were awkward to use. The user experience was often frustrating, with the control knob requiring multiple twists and pushes to execute commands. Despite these issues, the system offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's cabin was highlighted by a curved panoramic display, offering an intuitive and visually appealing experience. The touchscreen display was easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the lineup. The system included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Santa Fe also featured Hyundai's BlueLink system for vehicle access and information, with upgraded functionality on higher trims. Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner were additional technological innovations.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with most driver assistance features standard under the i-Activsense banner. The 2.5 Turbo Signature trim offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Hyundai vehicles typically performed well in safety evaluations. The Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 driver monitoring system.