Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota Corolla Cross

Base trim: $28,750.

Pictured: XRT 2.5L in Stormy Sea. AWD. MSRP as tested $35,380. 

Base trim: $23,610.

Pictured: XLE AWD. MSRP of 2022 model as tested $32,693.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is a roomy, likable, two-row SUV.  It’s full of great technology and offers terrific advanced driver safety features. The cabin is comfortable, well-designed and user-friendly.  Cargo space is great, too.

While the standard gas-only powertrain is a bit lackluster when it comes to initial acceleration, a more powerful turbo option is available.  The Santa Fe lineup also offers powerful hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

The Santa Fe is geared more for city adventures as opposed to off-road performance.  An XRT model provides more rugged looks, but don't expect upgraded capability.

Also be aware that an all-new 2024 Santa Fe will make its world debut in the summer of 2023 with its North American slated for the Los Angeles Auto Show in the fall.

The Corolla Cross is a great addition to the Toyota SUV lineup, offering a slightly smaller, 2-row alternative to the RAV4.  It's easy to drive around town in and brings peace of mind with the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance system.

The Corolla Cross comes as both a gas-only and hybrid model, which is new for 2023. After reviewing both versions, we recommend the hybrid over the gas-only. The hybrid engine is more powerful, accelerates better, and has great fuel economy.

For 2023, the XRT trim is based on the SEL trim instead of the SEL + Convenience Package trim.

For 2023, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a carryover with minor updates. They include new over-the-air map updates for the SEL, XRT, SEL Prem, Limited, Calligraphy trims and new H-Tex seating surfaces for XRT, SEL Premium grades.

New for 2023, the XRT adds Highway Driving Assist.

The only upgrade in 2023 for the Corolla Cross was the hybrid engine option in trim levels S, SE, and XSE.

• Larger and roomier with more cargo space 
• More powerful standard engine plus a Turbo option
• Great tech including Advanced Driver Assistance systems and available 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen
• Hyundai's warranty is better
  

• New Toyota Audio Multimedia system with standard Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• More fuel efficient than the Santa Fe
• The Corolla Cross features Toyota's latest TSS 3.0 safety suite of advanced driver assistance technology
• Toyota's well-known reliability

• The Santa Fe's standard powertrain feels underpowered for its size
• Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay are not standard across lineup.
• Not as fuel efficient as the Corolla Cross

• Lower towing capacity than the Santa Fe
• Not as powerful as the Santa Fe
• Only offers an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen

30/32 mpg

29/31 mpg

32-33 mpg

• Multiple screen size options available
  
• Available 12-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System
• Rear view monitor with parking guidance
• Available Hyundai Bluelink Connected Car (complimentary for three years)
• Rear Seat Quiet Mode

• Standard 8-in. touchscreen with six speakers, wireless Android Auto™ & wireless Apple CarPlay® 
• Optional 9-speaker JBL sound system (LE, XLE)
• Multiple options available for info screen (depends on trim level)
• Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging (LE, XLE)
• Drive Connect capable (Subscription required)

• Available wireless charging
• Dual Front/Rear USB ports 
• 2 12 volts

• WiFi Connect - Up to 30-day/3 GB trial subscription
• 2 or 4 USB outlets
  
• One cargo area 120V/150A auxiliary AC power outlet 

• Hyundai SmartSense Safety System
• Highway Driving Assist I  -  Standard on all but base trim
• Limited and Calligraphy:
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM)
  • Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse
  • Remote Smart Parking Assist

• Standard Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 (TSS 3.0)
• Rear Seat Reminder (Standard Across Lineup)
  

Options for LE/XLE

• Blind Spot Monitor/Rear Cross Traffic 
• Safe Exist Assist
• Backup Camera (LE, XLE)

Options for XLE Only

• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking
• Backup Camera With Dynamic Gridlines

• 3-point seatbelts outboard seats, inboard seatbelt (rear)
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Six airbags
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes
• Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and Brake assist
• Vehicle stability management (VSM)
  
• Hillstart Assist Control (HAC)
• Downhill Brake Control (DBC) (AWD only)

• Star Safety System—includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),  Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA)  and Smart Stop Technology (SST) 
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on rear seats
• Collapsible steering column
• Crumple zones/side-impact door beams
• Nine airbags —includes driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger outboard seat-mounted side airbags; driver and front passenger side curtain airbags, rear side airbags (right and left), and driver knee airbag
• Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer ^*

175.6"

71.9" (w/o mirrors)

169-horsepower

151 lb.-ft

12.4 (L)

13.2 (LE, XLE)

3142- 3,206  lbs

1,500 pounds