Toyota RAV4 vs Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 had a design that aimed to exude toughness, with an angry-looking frown and grimace. The lower gray body cladding, a common feature on many SUVs, displayed aggressive angularity. This aggressive outlook was further accentuated by dual exhaust outlets, though they hinted at a performance that wasn’t really there. Upper trim levels sported fake skid plates at the front and rear, and two off-road-themed versions came with more robust utility-style roof racks.

In our test drive, we evaluated the TRD Off-Road model, which topped the lineup with a base price of $38,295 plus a destination charge of $1,350. The test vehicle wore an Army Green color, which didn’t incur additional cost, and featured options like a digital rearview mirror and the Advanced Technology and Weather packages, bringing the total cost to $41,925. Across the gas-engine lineup, RAV4 prices ranged from $28,675 for the LE to $38,295 for the TRD Off-Road, with hybrids tacking on an additional two to three grand.

Interior-wise, higher budgets yielded nicer cabins. The RAV4’s interior was utility-focused, with features like a full-width shelf across the dashboard, robust door handles, easy-clean surfaces, and rubber-lined storage areas. Upscale options included contrast-color interiors in the XLE Premium or Limited trims.

By contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe adopted a different visual philosophy. Breaking away from the sleek and futuristic design language associated with Hyundai’s Ioniq series, the Santa Fe embraced a boxy, upright stance. Hyundai's design chief, SangYup Lee, described it as an effort to make the optimal shape for storage capacity look elegant and premium. The Santa Fe boasted pronounced aerodynamics despite its boxy silhouette, with sophisticated colors, some matte finishes, and anodized badging giving it a chic look.

The XRT trim level added dark chrome and black cladding, while most trims came with standard 18-inch alloy wheels. Limited and Hybrid Calligraphy models got 20-inch wheels, and the gas-only Calligraphy featured 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Santa Fe’s cabin felt premium, especially in the XRT and Calligraphy trims. While some areas used hard materials, strategically placed soft surfaces enhanced comfort. Luxurious touches included a fabric-covered headliner that added a soothing feel to the cabin.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, cranking out 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. This setup required high revs to access maximum power. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels unless one opted for the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The TRD Off-Road model we tested came standard with AWD, exclusive off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires on 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels.

The RAV4 included Multi-Terrain Select with Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt modes. Despite its name, the TRD Off-Road offered the same 8.6 inches of ground clearance as other RAV4 models and did not improve the approach or departure angles. On rough terrains like deep mud and rutted gravel roads, the TRD Off-Road showed slight superiority to its siblings but was no match for more rugged SUVs like the 4Runner. However, during regular commutes, the off-road suspension provided a smooth ride. Fuel economy for the TRD Off-Road model was rated at 28 mpg combined, though our test yielded 26.6 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a base 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with AWD optional — except for the XRT trim, which had AWD standard. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the latter adjusting throttle response and steering for a sportier feel.

Later in the model year, a hybrid powertrain would be available, combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing a combined 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy for the base FWD version was EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined, dropping slightly to 23 mpg with AWD and 22 mpg for the XRT. With its enhanced ground clearance and all-terrain tires, the XRT also maxed out at 4,500 pounds of towing capacity, compared to 3,500 pounds for other models.

On-road, the Calligraphy trim we tested remained smooth and stable, though body roll through turns could cause some passenger discomfort. The XRT trim demonstrated respectable off-road capabilities, comparable to rivals like the Kia Telluride X-Pro and Subaru Forester Wilderness.

The interior of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality and utility. Equipped with multiple storage compartments and rubberized control knobs, the RAV4 aimed to facilitate recreational activities. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The optional Weather package added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. The driver’s seat was comfortable, with a perfectly shaped steering wheel and excellent outward visibility, enhanced by the optional digital rearview mirror.

In terms of passenger comfort, the RAV4 could easily accommodate four adults, and five when necessary. The rear seats lacked leg support but compensated with soft front seatbacks and good legroom. Rear air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a center armrest with cupholders added to passengers’ convenience. With the rear seats up, the RAV4 offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with seats down, making it competitive in its segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe’s design emphasized cargo space, inspired by the “chabak” concept of combining a car and staying space. With a wheelbase two inches longer than its predecessor, almost all the extra space was dedicated to the cargo area, featuring an extra-wide tailgate. Despite this focus, the Santa Fe didn’t compromise passenger comfort. The first and second rows were spacious, though the third row was snug.

Depending on the trim, the second row offered either a bench or reclining captain’s chairs. Upholstery ranged from stain-resistant cloth in the SE to plush quilted Nappa leather in the Calligraphy. Heated front seats were standard on all but the SE, with higher trims also adding ventilation. Storage pockets and bottle holders were available for all three rows.

The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. Optional roof rails could support up to 220 pounds, with a flush grab handle integrated for easier load management. Limited and Calligraphy trims introduced a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, a nifty feature conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic but just now implemented.

Despite the RAV4’s age, its infotainment system featured Toyota’s latest technology. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system came with a standard 8-inch or optional 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and five connected service plans. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for ten years, providing automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling. Remote Connect was free for one year, allowing remote engine start and door lock/unlock via smartphone app. Drive Connect, also free for a year, added cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant.

However, the system lacked a multi-panel Home screen, making multitasking difficult. The interface’s light font was hard to read, and there were software quirks, like the digital voice assistant’s volume issues and erratic hospital search results. The standard audio system was decent, but an optional JBL system was available.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe’s technology boasted a curved panoramic display in XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. This display was intuitive, easy to use, and featured super-crisp graphics. Pairing a phone with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was seamless, and all these trims included a 12-speaker Bose stereo. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen, still full of features. Wireless charging was standard from SEL onwards, with the Calligraphy trim providing two charging pads.

Hyundai’s BlueLink system allowed remote vehicle access, replacing the physical key fob on SEL and above trims. Hyundai Pay integrated secure, automated payment for services like fuel and parking. The Santa Fe also featured a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode control.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). However, the base LE trim lacked blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. TSS 2.5’s features, like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist, worked better on straight highways than on curvy roads. The adaptive cruise control managed traffic smoothly but was overly cautious with braking. Unfortunately, the RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to lower ratings in small overlap frontal-impact and side-impact tests.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hadn’t been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA yet. However, Hyundai’s vehicles typically performed well. The base SE trim had comprehensive safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. SEL trims added upgrades like forward-attention warning and turn-signal mirrors. The XRT trim introduced a hands-free driving system, while the Limited trim included a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and remote automatic parking. The Calligraphy trim added a head-up display and advanced collision-avoidance systems. The Santa Fe also featured driver monitoring, a new system that tracked driver alertness and brought the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.