Toyota RAV4 vs Hyundai Santa Fe

RAV4

$27,975 (2023)

Pictured: RAV4 Off-Road in Cavalry Blue with Ice Edge Roof. MSRP as tested $42,700.

SANTA FE

$28,750 (2023)

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

RAV4

The RAV4 has been the nation's top-selling SUV for many years. It offers a wide range of trim levels and options, including hybrid and plug-in models, to appeal to different budgets. The RAV4 scores highly in safety and reliability and has good fuel economy, even in the gas engine types. If you're looking for a practical SUV that's built to last, you can't go wrong with RAV4. The only issue you may encounter is finding one, especially if you want specific features. There's high demand for this vehicle, so you may need to order or wait to get exactly what you want.

SANTA FE

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. It will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this fall.

RAV4

For 2023, all RAV4 models are equipped with the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system with over-the-air updates, dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

TRD Off-Road and Limited come standard with a new 10.5-inch Multimedia display. Other models feature a new 8-inch Multimedia screen.

A new 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is  standard on Limited and optional on TRD Off-Road. 

A 7-inch Multi-Information Display screen is standard on lower trims.

SANTA FE

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.

RAV4

• Base engine offers slightly more horsepower  
• More fuel efficient than the Santa Fe 
• Lineup offers off-road oriented trims

SANTA FE

• Better warranty than the RAV4
• More premium, comfortable interior
• Roomier, quieter cabin

RAV4

• No turbo engine option
• Warranty isn't a great as Hyundai's

SANTA FE

• Doesn't offer off-road equipment upgrades
• Not as fuel efficient

RAV4

SANTA FE

30 mpg  (LE FWD, LW AWD, XLE FWD,  XLE Premium, Limited FWD)

29 mpg ( XLE AWD,  XLE Premium AWD, 

28 mpg (Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited AWD)

Base engine:

• 26 mpg  (FWD)

• 24 mpg (AWD)

Turbo engine:

27 mpg (LE FWD, LW AWD, XLE FWD, XLE AWD, XLE Premium, XLE Premium AWD, Limited FWD)

 25 mpg (Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited AWD)

Base engine:

• 25 mpg  (FWD)

• 22 mpg (AWD)

Turbo engine:

35 mpg (LE FWD, Limited FWD)

34 mpg (LE AWD, XLE FWD, XLE Premium FWD)

33 mpg  (XLE AWD,  XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited AWD)  

32 mpg (TRD Off-Road)

Base engine:

• 28 mpg  (FWD)
• 25 mpg  (AWD) 

Turbo engine:

• New 10.5-inch Multimedia display standard on TRD Off Road w/6 speaker audio, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
  
• New 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is optional on TRD Off Road
• Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
  
• Optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio 
• 1 yr trial Drive Connect subbscription — 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.

• 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

• Optional wireless charging
• Five USB ports
• One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet  in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in cargo area

• Wireless charging
• Four USB ports 
• 2 12 volts

RAV4

SANTA FE

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) —Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA) 
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• OPTIONAL: Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)

• 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)

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear 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  — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags

• 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

RAV4

SANTA FE

181.5"

188.4"

73.4"

74.8"

68.6” 

63.7"

203-horsepower 

Base engine:

• 191-horsepower

Turbo: 

• 281-horsepower

184 pound-feet

181 pound-feet

14.5 

17.7

3,370/3,490 lbs. - LE 

3,405/3,515 lbs. - XLE and XLE Premium

3,615 lbs. -Adventure and TRD )

3,485/3,640 lbs. - Limited

1,500 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited) 3,500 lbs. (Adventure grade/TRD)

2,000

3,500 (Limited/Calligraphy with trailer brakes)