Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota Highlander

$28,750 (2023)

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

$36,420

Pictured: Limited Turbo AWD. MSRP as tested $53,181. 

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.

For 2023, Highlander gas models are now equipped with a new, higher-torque, high-efficiency turbocharged engine.  It replaces the V6.

Turbo models are equipped to tow up to 5,000-pounds.

Limited and Platinum grades now have two 12.3-inch screens as standard; one Multi-Information Display (MID) screen and one multimedia screen. The touchscreen  is optional for the XLE and sporty XSE grades, which have an 8-inch screen as standard. 

Limited and Platinum grades now come standard with power folding exterior mirrors.

New Cypress green exterior color

The new for 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT 2.5L is a great-looking ruggedly-styled SUV but don’t expect upgraded off-roading performance. Do expect excellent technology, convenience features and a comfortable cabin.

The Toyota Highlander ups its game considerably in 2023 with a new, more efficient engine and terrific new available multimedia system, proving once again it's a winner in the family-friendly SUV department if you don't need a huge third row that fits adults.

• Roomy and comfortable interior
• Reclining 2nd-row with power seat release
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 12.3-inch digital driver display is standard
• 8-way power driver's seat
• Manual 2nd-row sunshades
• Better warranty than the RAV4

• 1st and 2nd-row roominess
• Leather-trimmed 2nd-row Captain's Chairs
• Toyota's New 12.3-inch Multimedia System
• New 12.3” Full Digital Instrument Cluster screen
• Features Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5+
  
  

• XRT is looks only and doesn't add additional off-road performance capability
• Could use a horsepower boost for better initial acceleration
•  No standard or optional Remote Smart Parking Assist or Highway Driving Assist is available on the XRT trim.

• 3rd row isn't large enough for adults
• No optional head-up display 
• An optional Panoramic View Monitor will cost you $850.
• Optional running boards will cost you $599

24 mpg

24 mpg

22 mpg

21 mpg

25 mpg

28 mpg

• 8-inch multimedia touchscreen display with SiriusXM/HD radio, Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  (For 2023, a 10.25-inch is available on the SEL Premium, Limited and Calligraphy)
  
• 12.3-inch digital display cluster is standard on XRT
  
• Rear view monitor with parking guidance
• Hyundai Bluelink Connected Car required to access navigation and voice recognition (complimentary for three years)
• Rear Seat Quiet Mode

• 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system w/ wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi Connect trial or subscription that offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices.
  
• 1 yr trial subcription to Drive Connect  — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist.  Subscription required after trial.  4G network dependent.
• 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio

• Wireless charging
• Four USB ports 
• 2 12 volts

• Wireless charging
• Five USB ports  (USB-A media port and four USB-C charging ports) and two 12V outlets

• Hyundai SmartSense:  Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist,Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert (adds ultrasonic sensor & Blue Link integration)

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+)  — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), * Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA),  Automatic High Beams (AHB),  Lane Tracing Assist (LTA),  Road Sign Assist (RSA)  and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) 
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• Rear passenger seatbelt reminder
• Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning
• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)
• Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
• OPTIONAL: 360 degree Panoramic View Monitor  

• 3-point seatbelts outboard seats, inboard seatbelt (rear)
• Adjustable front-seat shoulder belt anchors
• Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters
• LATCH lower anchors and upper tether anchors
• Rear child safety locks and power window lock-out button
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Six airbags: Driver (1) Front passenger (1) / Occupant classification system (OCS) seat weight sensor and seat track sensor Driver and front passenger side-impact FR (thorax) (2) / Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes
• Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and Brake assist
• Vehicle stability management

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver's-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats and tether anchor on middle of second- and third-row seats
• Star Safety System™—includes Enhanced 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) *
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Eight airbags —driver airbag, front passenger airbag, driver knee airbag, seat cushion airbag (passenger), front side airbags, curtain shield airbags

194.9"

76.0"

63.7"

68.1"

265-horsepower

181 pound-feet

310 pound-feet

17.7

17.9

3,615

2,000

5,000