2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV initially appeared similar to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart, sharing features like rounded wheel wells and a flat beltline. However, upon closer inspection, the Equinox EV distinguished itself with more decisive lines, a thicker body-colored C-pillar, and a sleeker grille. The front fascia was more body-colored, and the rear design was more defined, featuring hexagonal shapes and a light bar echoing the front. Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels were available on the 1LT and 2LT trims, while the higher trims boasted 21-inch versions. The Equinox EV offered vibrant color options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," which added a youthful and exuberant touch. Two-tone paint jobs were available, with options for a white or black roof depending on the trim. The interior color choices expanded with higher trims, offering combinations like black with blue accents or Sky Cool Gray, and sporty options like Adrenaline Red.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a distinct departure from Hyundai's recent design language, opting for a boxy shape that emphasized storage capacity. This design choice was explained by Hyundai's design chief, SangYup Lee, who aimed to make the box elegant and premium-looking. Despite its boxy appearance, the Santa Fe was more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessor and managed to turn heads with its upscale look. The vehicle featured a sophisticated palette of exterior colors, including matte options, and anodized-finish badging. The XRT trim added dark chrome and black cladding, while wheel sizes varied across trims, with the Calligraphy version sporting 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims showcasing a mix of soft and hard materials. The interior was designed to be soothing and cocooning, with features like a fabric-covered headliner adding a touch of decadence.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV came equipped with a hands-free start feature, which, while not universally favored, was becoming more common in EVs. The vehicle offered one-pedal driving across all trims, with options to manage regenerative braking through a standalone setting or drive modes like Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode. The Equinox EV provided a comfortable ride, with the single-motor, front-wheel-drive variant delivering 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel-drive version featured a dual-motor powertrain with 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, and a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds. The EPA estimated a range of 319 miles for FWD models and 285 miles for AWD, supported by an 85-kWh battery. The Equinox EV was capable of DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, regaining about 77 miles of range in 10 minutes, and offered Level 2 charging at 11.5 kW.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a base powertrain with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD as standard. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road modes. A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was set to be available later, offering 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe's fuel economy varied by trim, with the FWD base version rated at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The XRT model had a lower rating due to its extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires but offered increased towing capacity. The Santa Fe's driving dynamics were smooth and stable, with some body roll through turns. The XRT trim demonstrated off-road capability comparable to other SUVs in its class.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, starting from the 2LT trim, included features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and outside mirrors. The 2LT also offered an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an optional panoramic moonroof. The 3LT trim added a power-adjustable passenger seat, front-seat ventilation, and heated rear seats. Dual-zone climate control was available from the 3LT trim. The Equinox EV provided 39.15 inches of front headroom and 38.49 inches in the second row, with 41.65 inches of front legroom. Cargo space was 26.4 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 57.2 cubic feet with the second row folded. Roof rails were standard on all but the base trim.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor, with most of the extra space dedicated to the cargo area. The design was inspired by the concept of "chabak," focusing on car camping and tailgating. The Santa Fe offered a spacious first and second row, with a snug third row. The vehicle was shorter and narrower than the Palisade, making it a better choice for those who didn't need a fully functional third row. The second row offered options for a bench or reclining captain's chairs. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 40.5 and 79.6 cubic feet with the third and second rows folded. The Santa Fe included a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, a feature conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a driver-oriented cockpit with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch driver-information screen. Google Built-In was standard, providing Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. An eight-year OnStar Remote Access Plan subscription was included, essential for the MyChevrolet app, which offered navigation, route planning, and battery pre-conditioning.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display in the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, providing a luxurious feel. The touchscreen display was intuitive, 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 SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen. Hyundai's BlueLink system allowed for vehicle access and information, with Hyundai Pay available on higher trims. The Santa Fe also introduced a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode control.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward collision alert, and more. Additional features included rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Super Cruise was available from the 2LT trim, along with enhanced automatic parking assist on higher trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it included a comprehensive suite of safety features. The base SE trim offered adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a driver monitoring system. The Calligraphy trim included a head-up display and upgraded collision avoidance systems.