2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe showcased a more conservative exterior styling compared to some of Hyundai's more recent designs. However, it still retained an attractive and modern look, albeit without the stand-out characteristics seen in other Hyundai models. This five-passenger SUV continued the same look as its 2022 predecessor, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Front-wheel drive was standard, and all-wheel drive was optional on all trims.

Our test vehicle was the top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD trim, adorned in Stormy Sea (a deep, rich dark blue) exterior paint coupled with a black-on-black interior. The base price for this trim was $42,600, with AWD adding $1,700 and carpeted floor mats another $210, culminating in a total manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $45,845 including the destination charge.

From an exterior perspective, the Santa Fe's most distinctive feature was its wide upper and lower grilles, a design signature within the Hyundai family, complemented by thin LED headlights giving it a unique front-end look. As one moved to the rear, the styling became more conventional.

Inside, the Calligraphy trim featured a black interior with black leather seats, which conveyed a high-quality feel but was somewhat monotone in appearance. This setup might appear too dark and uniform for some tastes, leading to the recommendation of the beige or gray interior options available on lower trims for more visual contrast. The Nappa leather seats in our test vehicle were notably comfortable and attractive, and both heated and cooled front seats were standard in this trim, with heated seats also available in the second row.

Conversely, the 2024 Volvo XC90 presented itself in a trio of models: B5, B6, and Recharge T8. The B5 featured a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine while the B6 added a supercharger for enhanced performance. The Recharge T8, our test model, combined a supercharged and turbocharged engine with a plug-in hybrid system, offering the most power, the greatest efficiency, and approximately 32 miles of electric-only range. All models featured standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

Our XC90 Recharge T8 was equipped in the high-end Ultimate trim with a seven-passenger capacity. It boasted enhancements like the Lounge Package with massaging front seats, active air suspension, a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch enhancing its 5,000-pound towing capacity, pushing the MSRP to $89,145.

Volvo employed a harmonious blend of subdued, earthy exterior paints suited for a luxury SUV that leaned towards practicality, safety, and sustainability. The SUV offered various wheel designs up to 21 inches, with most models favoring a Bright theme characterized by chrome and polished metal finishes. Inside, despite being slightly dated, the XC90's Ultimate trim featured luxurious materials, including Volvo's wool-blend upholstery and ventilated Nappa leather options. Highlights included the Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim, adding a touch of elegance.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-liter engine available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims utilized the naturally aspirated engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Limited and Calligraphy trims benefited from the turbocharged variant, boosting output to 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque and mated to an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an optional add-on. Each Santa Fe came with a drive-mode selector offering Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, and push-button gears located near the top of the center console. The Calligraphy trim also featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, adding a touch of sportiness, albeit unnecessary for an SUV of this nature.

On paper, the turbocharged engine provided a 90-horsepower advantage. On the road, the performance boost from the turbocharger was immediately evident. The Calligraphy trim exhibited quick off-the-line acceleration with no discernible turbo lag, delivering seamless power for both acceleration and passing. Comfort mode was the default setting for most of our drive, offering smooth handling with only minimal body lean during cornering or interstate-speed lane changes. While we didn’t test the AWD-lock function or off-road capabilities, the Santa Fe was expected to perform adequately for typical driving scenarios. Towing capacities varied, with non-turbo models rated at 2,000 pounds and turbo models at 3,500 pounds, though trailer brakes were required to achieve these figures.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing a formidable 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Recharge T8 offered up to 32 miles of electric-only driving before the gasoline engine engaged, averaging 27 mpg in hybrid mode. Switching to Power mode promised a five-second sprint from 0 to 60 mph. Recharging the vehicle took approximately 12 hours with a standard household outlet, a duration that could be halved using a 240-volt, 16-amp outlet.

The XC90 dubbed various driving modes beyond the standard Hybrid and Power modes. Pure mode allowed for electric-only driving, while Charge mode recharged the battery during travel. Constant AWD mode ensured power distribution to all wheels, and Off-Road mode maximized ground clearance up to 9.9 inches with optional air suspension.

Despite a sweltering evaluation day, the XC90 Recharge T8 fell short of its 33-mile electric range, achieving only 28 miles in Pure mode. The hybrid mode managed 24.5 mpg, slightly below the 27-mpg rating. Locally, the vehicle excelled in electric driving, maintaining fuel efficiency for daily commuting. Performance waned near the battery's minimum state of charge, requiring gentler acceleration to prevent the gas engine from kicking in.

Once the gas engine engaged, the XC90 Recharge T8 demonstrated powerful acceleration thanks to the electric motor's immediate torque, complemented by the supercharger and turbocharger. However, the SUV’s firm suspension, lack of sharp handling, and steering feedback, coupled with cabin shake, detracted from an otherwise luxurious experience.

For interior space, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe benefitted from forgoing a cramped third row, providing ample rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches, among the best in its class. Cargo space was equally impressive, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet when the second-row seats were folded down. An underfloor storage compartment added to the practicality. Higher trims offered enhanced comfort features such as an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free liftgate.

In the 2024 Volvo XC90, even the base Core trim was richly equipped with power-adjustable, heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system featuring PM2.5 air purification. The Ultimate trim added luxurious touches including a heated steering wheel, massage seats, upgraded lighting, and an integrated booster seat. The seating arrangement allowed for seven passengers, or six with second-row captain's chairs. Despite some ingress challenges caused by the adjustable leg support bolsters, the XC90 provided a commanding driving position with excellent sightlines.

Cargo capacity in the Volvo XC90 was generous, though slightly less than the Santa Fe’s. With the third row occupied, storage was limited but improved significantly with the third-row seat folded down, offering up to 65.5 cubic feet. With both the second and third rows folded, it expanded to 85.7 cubic feet, making it highly versatile for various cargo needs.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, featuring a 4.2-inch color LCD or a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. The base SE trim's 8-inch display offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive with clearly marked icons, although the voice recognition system had some limitations, particularly with music requests or changing cabin temperature.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 boasted a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system utilizing Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant, which were complimentary for four years before requiring a subscription. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with options for a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system or an exceptional 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio setup. Though smaller than some modern competitors, the touchscreen’s proximity to the driver and ease of use improved the infotainment experience. The XC90 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and an available head-up display.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came fully equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety-related ADAS. Standard features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, driver monitoring, a safe-exit system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SEL and higher trims added Highway Driving Assist. The Santa Fe achieved a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from IIHS for 2022.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Volvo XC90 maintained its legacy of safety with excellent crash-test ratings. It received five stars from NHTSA in most assessments, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. IIHS rated the 2023 model a Top Safety Pick+. However, the XC90’s ADAS features were not as advanced compared to competitors in its class. The SUV included standard safety features and a large-animal detection system but lacked hands-free driving assistance systems. Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, was tested and found less reliable on curvy roads and exit ramps.