2025 INFINITI QX80 vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that prioritized storage capacity while maintaining an upscale appearance. This design choice was a significant shift from Hyundai's previous sleek and futuristic models, yet it managed to capture attention with its elegant and premium look. The Santa Fe's aerodynamic efficiency was surprisingly high for its shape, and its sophisticated color palette, including matte options, 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 INFINITI QX80 underwent its first redesign since 2017, growing slightly in size and retaining its body-on-frame architecture. The QX80's styling updates were most noticeable at the front, with a larger grille and distinctive stacked-headlight setup. The rear maintained its general shape but featured full-width LED taillights. The QX80's interior received a high-tech makeover with dual 14.3-inch screens and ambient lighting, although some materials felt less premium. The cabin offered ample space and comfort, with various seating configurations and luxurious options like semi-aniline leather in higher trims.

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 optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD standard. The Santa Fe also featured various driving modes, including Sport and off-road settings for the XRT. A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter engine was set to join the lineup, offering 231 horsepower. Fuel economy varied, with the hybrid achieving up to 36 mpg combined. The Santa Fe's towing capacity reached 4,500 pounds in the XRT trim, thanks to enhanced cooling features.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 introduced a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, replacing the previous V8, and producing 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive standard and optional four-wheel drive. The QX80's air suspension and adaptive damping provided a comfortable ride, with the ability to adjust ride height for off-road or aerodynamic purposes. Despite its size, the QX80's handling was average, and its towing capacity reached 8,500 pounds, surpassing many competitors.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's design focused on maximizing cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body. It offered 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior was spacious, especially in the first and second rows, with options for bench or captain's chairs. The Santa Fe featured stain-resistant cloth or leather upholstery, with heated and ventilated seats available in higher trims. Innovative features like a UV sanitization compartment added to its appeal.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 increased its cargo space significantly, offering 22 cubic feet with all seats up and 101 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior was easily reconfigurable, with power-folding seats and various seating options. Passenger space was generous, with increased legroom and available heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The QX80's towing capacity and luxurious features made it a strong contender in the full-size SUV segment.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display, standard on higher trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a 12-speaker Bose stereo and multiple USB ports. Features like Hyundai's BlueLink system and Hyundai Pay added convenience and security, while a biometric fingerprint scanner offered advanced access control.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured dual 14.3-inch screens and a smaller touchscreen for climate controls. It was the first Infiniti with Google built-in apps, providing seamless navigation and voice recognition. The infotainment system, however, felt similar to Nissan's, with some usability issues. The QX80 offered a Klipsch sound system, with advanced audio options in higher trims, and a comprehensive camera system for enhanced visibility.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added advanced systems like a 360-degree camera and remote automatic parking. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai with driver monitoring, enhancing safety through alertness tracking.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 offered standard safety features like forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. It included ProPilot Assist for highway driving assistance, with hands-free capabilities in higher trims. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the QX80's safety features were robust and competitive.