2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2022 GMC Terrain received several updates for its exterior and interior in the 2022 model year. The front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim were redesigned. The new AT4 trim level presented a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. GMC touted the Terrain AT4 as a “small off-road SUV,” expecting some owners to test its capabilities. To support this, they added a steel skid plate under the front to protect crucial mechanical components.

The test vehicle's Ebony Twilight metallic paint and black leather interior gave it a visually striking but high-maintenance appearance. It was also loaded with numerous packages, including the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, and GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, in addition to a Skyscape panoramic sunroof and a three-year subscription to OnStar services. This brought the MSRP to $41,810. However, more affordable versions like the SLE and SLT were available, with features balanced against a lower cost.

The Terrain aimed for luxury, though it remained GMC’s entry-level model. This was evident in the materials and execution of details. For instance, the head-up display projected information onto a plastic panel instead of directly onto the windshield, a less refined option. The pushbutton transmission controls, although saving space, weren’t particularly intuitive and the extra storage tray provided was too narrow to fit a smartphone.

In comparison, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe’s XRT treatment wasn't particularly impressive. A suspension lift and more aggressive tires might have been more convincing. The side steps, while useful for loading items onto the roof rack, hindered entry and exit and reduced the vehicle's breakover angle during off-roading.

The XRT was one of five gasoline trim levels available for the 2022 Santa Fe, sitting above the SE and SEL but below the Limited and Calligraphy trims. It came with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options. Our test vehicle in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior offered little visual excitement due to the XRT treatment. However, its interior patterns and brightwork made up for the lack of contrast, providing a decent, thoughtful design and quality for its price point.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a single engine option – a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine did not return to the lineup, reducing towing capacity to 1,500 pounds. The power from the 1.5-liter engine wasn't highly responsive off the line, but the nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain within its torque band once in motion.

The Terrain could switch between front-wheel-drive mode to save fuel and all-wheel-drive mode when needed. An Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system were available for challenging terrains. However, the vehicle showed torque steer issues in front-wheel-drive mode. The independent suspension gave it a smooth ride over most surfaces, despite the sport-terrain tires occasionally causing extra road noise.

Conversely, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly quick due to the nearly two-ton curb weight, the engine was capable enough to achieve freeway speeds and cruise comfortably. Those seeking more power could opt for the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine in the Limited or Calligraphy trims, delivering 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.

The eight-speed automatic transmission worked well, and gear selection was via simple pushbutton controls. Various driving modes were available, including Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow. The AWD system could be locked at lower speeds for better traction. The Santa Fe XRT averaged 22.3 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA’s 24 mpg rating.

The Santa Fe's suspension did a commendable job isolating the cabin from most road impacts. The ride quality was generally good, though some bounciness was detected depending on road conditions. Handling, steering, and braking felt secure, and the SUV remained composed under different driving situations.

The GMC Terrain’s interior was spacious for a compact crossover, boasting several comfort-enhancing features and efficient storage solutions. Our test model included power-adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning vents. There was ample legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats, and the eight-way power driver’s seat made it easy to find a comfortable position.

Perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping gave the interior an upscale feel. Rear seats were supportive, with sufficient leg and foot room. Storage solutions included various shelves and slots throughout the cabin, though some were less practical. The Terrain offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. There was also a front seat that could fold down to accommodate longer items.

Hyundai’s Santa Fe XRT included dual-zone automatic climate control with a Clean Air ionizer and rear air-conditioning vents for equal comfort. The stain-resistant fabric upholstery was both durable and visually appealing. The driver’s seat was power-adjustable while both front seats were heated, although the front passenger’s seat lacked height adjustment.

The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot space, with additional comforts such as rear side-window shades and USB charging ports. The tricky storage tray under the control bridge was a notable inconvenience in an otherwise well-thought-out interior with numerous nooks and crannies. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

GMC Terrain buyers had two infotainment systems to choose from, a 7-inch screen standard in SLE trim and an 8-inch screen in the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and OnStar services with Wi-Fi hotspot functionality. The larger screen added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and an available Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition proved excellent during testing, accurately responding to various commands.

The optional Tech Package for 2022 also included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Tire Fill Alert and remote engine starting system were practical additions.

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system’s on-screen graphics were clean, and the menu structures were logical, making it easy to use.

Digital key technology allowed Android users to use their smartphones as vehicle keys, while the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system ensured you didn’t hold up traffic. While the XRT trim lacked the larger 10.25-inch system and 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system available in other trims, the technological features it did include were user-friendly and sufficient for daily driving.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. An optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. During testing, these features worked effectively, encouraging their use. However, a lane-centering function was unavailable.

The IIHS awarded the 2022 Terrain mostly “Good” ratings but gave it a “Marginal” rating in a side-impact test. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2022 Terrain’s crashworthiness.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured numerous standard safety technologies under its Hyundai SmartSense umbrella. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.

The Highway Driving Assist system was not available for the XRT trim, but the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance worked flawlessly. Additional highlights included the Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist. The rear occupant alert system monitored the back seat for any movement post-lockout, adding an extra layer of safety.

Bluelink services included automatic emergency assistance and safety-related alerts, beneficial for parents of teenage drivers. The Santa Fe earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.