Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, following its 2019 redesign, presented a more robust and angular exterior, moving away from the softer crossover look. Its trapezoidal grille, inspired by Toyota's truck line, added a sense of heft, complemented by beveled and angled bodywork framing the headlights. This design was initially groundbreaking, but over time, other manufacturers like Honda and Mazda adopted similar styles. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid continued the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts, adding visual interest to an otherwise straightforward layout. The materials used were average for its class, with a mix of hard plastics and lightly padded surfaces. However, the base model and the new Woodland trim opted for a less appealing urethane steering wheel and center armrest, which felt cheap compared to the leather-wrapped options available in higher trims. Despite this, the build quality was solid, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks during drives.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, while practical and offering great value, appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers. Its styling, reminiscent of "dad jeans," lacked the modern appeal seen in competitors like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Sorento. The Santa Fe featured a handsome grille with a mesh pattern and flush-mounted headlights, but its overall silhouette was softer and less defined. The vehicle's size, at 188.4 inches long, placed it awkwardly between compact and three-row crossovers, resulting in a two-row midsize configuration. The rear design was casual, with a high-mounted window and a rounded lower half. Inside, the Santa Fe prioritized function over style, with a massive center console filled with physical controls for easy use. Despite its outdated appearance, the Santa Fe Hybrid offered practicality with features like manual sunshades and ample legroom in the rear seats.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. This setup, along with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an additional electric motor for all-wheel drive, allowed the RAV4 Hybrid to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. This made it quicker than the standard RAV4 by half a second, though the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid was even faster at 5.5 seconds. Within its class, the RAV4 Hybrid's acceleration was competitive, with the Kia Sportage hybrid slightly quicker and the Honda CR-V Hybrid reaching 60 mph in about 8 seconds. The RAV4 Hybrid's braking system utilized regenerative braking to charge the battery, transitioning smoothly to physical brakes when needed. Its suspension provided a comfortable ride over bumps and potholes, offering confident cornering without being sporty.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, offered impressive fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg city, 30 highway, and 32 combined. The Santa Fe Hybrid's AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels as needed, with an AWD lock button ensuring a minimum of 20% power to the rear wheels. While not the quickest, the Santa Fe Hybrid was more powerful than its internal combustion engine counterparts, offering better fuel efficiency. The Santa Fe Hybrid impressed with its noise insulation and compliant suspension, providing a quiet and composed ride even on rough roads. Its handling, steering, and braking were adequate for a vehicle designed for comfort rather than speed.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample space for front passengers, while the rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults. Although it provided slightly more rear headroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, it had marginally less legroom. The rear seat cushions were set low, which might have left taller passengers desiring more thigh support on long trips. The RAV4 Hybrid boasted 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, nearly matching the non-hybrid version and comparable to its rivals. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, though shorter individuals might have found it challenging to reach them. Interior storage was a highlight, with a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray, and large cupholders capable of holding oversized drinks. However, a wireless charging pad was not available at the time due to a chip shortage.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid utilized a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the center stack. Despite this, the center stack remained large with limited storage space. It featured a single cup holder, a rectangular cubby, and a flip-up compartment with another cup holder and a USB-A port. The center stack was filled with well-labeled physical controls for easy access to climate settings, drive modes, and heated-seat buttons. Rear passengers enjoyed manual sunshades and 40.8 inches of legroom, comparable to other large two-row SUVs. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, without sacrificing cargo space compared to its ICE counterpart. The front seats in the Limited trim were heated and ventilated, with real leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, significantly improving upon previous versions. The system featured modern graphics and logically arranged menus, with the screen positioned atop the dashboard to minimize distractions. Most trims came with an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. The base display's small on-screen buttons required precise pressing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though a wireless charging pad was optional. The system supported over-the-air updates and offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote monitoring, and control features. The top trim included a fully digital instrument panel, while the standard six-speaker audio system provided decent sound quality. The Limited trim featured an 11-speaker JBL system for enhanced audio performance.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, offering Over-The-Air map updates and dynamic voice recognition. While not as visually striking as some competitors, the system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided a clear view of essential driving information. The Hyundai digital key allowed for advanced connectivity, enabling remote start and locking/unlocking via a smartphone app. The Limited trim included a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system, optional on the Blue and SEL Premium trims.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in side crash protection and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most tests and "Acceptable" in new frontal and side-impact tests. Standard safety features included Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added a blind-spot monitor, while the Limited trim included parking sensors and optional surround-view camera and digital rearview mirror. The adaptive cruise control was noted for its smooth operation.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The SEL Premium and Limited trims featured a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor, enhancing visibility and awareness. Standard safety equipment included adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and safe exit assist. These features made the Santa Fe Hybrid a strong choice for families and safety-conscious drivers.