2025 BMW X3 vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that was both elegant and premium. This new aesthetic was a significant shift from the sleek, futuristic look of the Ioniq series, yet it managed to turn heads with its upscale appearance. The Santa Fe's design was not just about looks; it was also aerodynamically efficient, surprising many with its ability to combine form and function. The vehicle's sophisticated color palette, including matte options, and anodized-finish badging added to its allure. Inside, the Santa Fe offered a luxurious experience, especially in the XRT and Calligraphy trims, with premium materials and thoughtful design elements that enhanced comfort and style.

In contrast, the 2025 BMW X3 exuded a seductive and athletic appearance, characterized by its long hood, captivating dashboard-to-axle ratio, and tapering roofline. The Arctic Race Blue paint and expressive 21-inch wheels emphasized its sporty stance. Inside, the X3's cabin was simple yet sophisticated, with a focus on quality materials and a spacious feel. The BMW Curved Display and ambient lighting added a modern touch, while the Veganza artificial leather seats provided comfort and style. However, some interior elements, like the plastic trim, revealed the X3's price point, and the rear seats were less comfortable for taller passengers.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a base 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 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 came with AWD. The Santa Fe provided a smooth and stable driving experience, with various driving modes to enhance performance. The XRT trim, with its off-road capabilities, was particularly impressive, handling rough terrains with ease. The Santa Fe's towing capacity reached up to 4,500 pounds in the XRT model, thanks to additional cooling features.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight, the X3 achieved a respectable zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds. The vehicle's 48-volt mild-hybrid system improved responsiveness and fuel efficiency. For those seeking more power, the M50 xDrive variant offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 393 horsepower. The X3's sport-tuned suspension and performance tires provided an engaging driving experience, though the ride could be harsh on imperfect roads. The X3 excelled on twisty backroads, offering a delightful driving experience for enthusiasts.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's design focused on maximizing cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The spacious cargo area, inspired by the concept of "chabak," was ideal for car camping and tailgating. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows offered ample space and comfort. The Santa Fe's interior featured various upholstery options, from stain-resistant cloth to plush quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expandable to 79.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The vehicle also introduced a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2025 BMW X3 offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with power-adjustable front seats and a wide dashboard that enhanced the cabin's sense of space. The BMW Curved Display housed a digital instrument panel and touchscreen infotainment system. While the front seats were comfortable, the rear seats were less so, especially for taller passengers. The cargo area measured 31.5 cubic feet, with additional storage under the load floor. The X3's interior design emphasized practicality, with features like a lightweight cargo cover and split-folding rear seats for added versatility.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display, offering intuitive controls and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo and Wi-Fi hotspot. The Santa Fe's BlueLink system allowed for vehicle access and information, with upgraded features on higher trims. Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner added convenience and security. The Santa Fe's technology package was comprehensive, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 BMW X3 featured the new iDrive 9 operating system, offering a user-friendly interface with Quick Select functionality. However, the test vehicle experienced issues with profile creation and system responsiveness. Despite these challenges, the X3's navigation system and wireless Apple CarPlay worked well. The X3's infotainment system had potential, but the test vehicle's issues hindered a full evaluation. The system's subscription-based services and digital voice assistant were not fully accessible during the test.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and remote automatic parking. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle to include driver monitoring, enhancing safety and alertness on the road. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's vehicles typically performed well in safety evaluations.

The 2025 BMW X3 offered a robust set of driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Driving Assistant Professional Package introduced hands-free Traffic Jam Assistant technology. The X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with room for improvement in frontal-impact crash tests. The vehicle's safety features were effective, though some systems, like Steering Assistant, could be intrusive.