2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, showcasing a design that was both unique and upscale. While previous Hyundai models hinted at a futuristic aesthetic, the Santa Fe embraced a more boxy design, prioritizing storage capacity and aerodynamics. This new look was not only functional but also turned heads, as evidenced by the admiration it received during a test drive in rural Tennessee. The Santa Fe's exterior was complemented by a sophisticated palette of colors and anodized-finish badging, with higher trims featuring larger alloy wheels. Inside, the Santa Fe offered a premium experience with a mix of soft and hard materials, creating a comfortable and elegant environment.

In contrast, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse maintained Chevrolet's reputation for attractive SUV designs, both inside and out. The Traverse featured digital instrumentation and a Google-based infotainment system, enhancing its modern appeal. However, the quality of materials, such as hard plastics and artificial leather, detracted from the overall sense of luxury. The Traverse offered various trims, with the Z71 spec providing off-road capabilities and additional features like a panoramic sunroof and advanced driving packages. Despite its stylish appearance, the Traverse's interior materials left room for improvement, especially considering its price point.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a 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 available, except for the XRT trim, which came with 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 engine was also available, providing 231 horsepower. Fuel economy varied, with the base FWD model achieving 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the hybrid offered up to 36 mpg combined. The Santa Fe excelled in towing capacity, with the XRT model capable of towing up to 4,500 pounds. On the road, the Santa Fe delivered smooth and stable performance, with some body roll in turns. Off-road, the XRT trim proved capable, handling rough terrain with ease.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, with the latter providing controlled acceleration. The Z71 trim was designed for off-road adventures, with increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. The Traverse's driving modes included Tow/Haul, Normal, and Sport, though it felt large and less sporty on winding roads. The Z71's suspension and tires provided a smoother ride on rough surfaces, and the vehicle achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Traverse handled well, with minimal tire noise and effective braking.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a spacious interior, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The design focused on maximizing cargo space, inspired by the concept of "chabak" for car camping. The Santa Fe's cargo area featured an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage, while the first and second rows provided generous space for passengers. The third row was snug, suitable for occasional use. The Santa Fe offered various seating options, including stain-resistant cloth, synthetic leather, and plush Nappa leather, with heated and ventilated front seats available on higher trims. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with seats folded. Additional features included a UV sanitization compartment and roof rails supporting 220 pounds.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted significant interior volume, particularly in width. Front seat occupants enjoyed ample space, with power-adjustable seats and heated features enhancing comfort. The Traverse offered eight-passenger seating with a second-row bench or captain's chairs. The third row provided adequate comfort but lacked a view due to window design. Storage space was commendable, with 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with seats folded. However, folding the third row required adjusting the second row, and the Traverse lacked some family-friendly features like third-row USB ports and easily accessible storage.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a curved panoramic display, enhancing the cabin's luxurious feel. The touchscreen offered intuitive controls, crisp graphics, and easy phone pairing with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard on higher trims. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch display. Hyundai's BlueLink system provided vehicle access and information, with upgraded features on higher trims. Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner added convenience and security.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its standard 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Google Built-in, Alexa compatibility, and OnStar services. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and SiriusXM 360L. The user interface was simple and effective, with Google Assistant providing accurate voice recognition. Climate controls were easily accessible, and an 11-inch digital instrumentation panel offered customizable views. Optional features included a digital rearview mirror and a high-definition surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet been crash-tested by major safety organizations, but Hyundai vehicles typically performed well in evaluations. The Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added advanced 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 tracking alertness and hand placement on the wheel.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a robust set of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driver Confidence Package added a surround-view camera system and traffic sign recognition. The Enhanced Driving Package offered Super Cruise, a hands-free driving assist system, and remote-parking technology. Super Cruise provided clear communication of its status and worked on various roads, though it had occasional limitations. The Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS.