2027 Chevrolet Bolt vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid was reminiscent of a pair of "dad jeans"—practical and offering outstanding value, yet lacking modern flair. Despite a refresh in 2021, its styling appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Sorento. The Santa Fe's exterior featured a handsome grille and flush-mounted headlights, but its silhouette was criticized for being too soft for a modern SUV. The vehicle's length, at 188.4 inches, positioned it awkwardly between compact and three-row crossovers, resulting in a two-row midsize crossover with a spacious trunk. Inside, the Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized function over form, with a massive center console filled with physical buttons, making it easy to use but not particularly stylish.

In contrast, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt maintained a familiar look with slight styling changes, resembling a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. It straddled the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, offering a single body style. The Bolt's tall and narrow stance prioritized utility and interior space, with the RS model adding minimal gloss black trim for flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, but offered practical storage solutions and adequate space for passengers.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid delivered a balanced performance with its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing a combined 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It boasted impressive fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg city, 30 highway, and 32 combined. The hybrid's power was managed through a six-speed automatic transmission, and its HTRAC AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels as needed. While not the quickest, the Santa Fe Hybrid offered more power than its internal combustion engine counterparts and excelled in noise insulation and ride quality, providing a comfortable driving experience.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and environmental impact. Its motor, borrowed from the Chevy Equinox EV, delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, achieving 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range. The Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, and it offered one-pedal driving with adjustable brake regeneration. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt's low center of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. With an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles on a full charge, the Bolt improved upon its predecessor, and its charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing for rapid recharging.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the center stack. However, the stack remained massive with limited storage space. Rear passengers enjoyed 40.8 inches of legroom, and the vehicle offered 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Santa Fe Hybrid's interior included heated and ventilated front seats with real leather upholstery, providing comfort and practicality.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing discomfort for center-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with additional storage options available. Up front, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen offering Over-The-Air map updates and dynamic voice recognition. The infotainment system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided essential driving information, and the Hyundai digital key allowed for advanced connectivity. The Limited trim featured a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. While Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, the system offered logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The Bolt's navigation system could locate charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charging rates.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety with features like 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, and more. The Santa Fe Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not yet available, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, rear-pedestrian alert, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost.