Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, with its redesign in 2019, adopted a more robust and angular appearance, moving away from the softer crossover styling. The trapezoidal grille, inspired by Toyota's truck line, added a sense of heft, complemented by beveled and angled bodywork framing the headlights. This design choice initially stood out but became more common as competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 followed suit. The RAV4's interior continued the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts, adding visual interest to an otherwise straightforward layout. While the materials were average for its class, with some hard plastics, the build quality was solid, and most surfaces were lightly padded. However, the base model's urethane steering wheel felt cheap, a stark contrast to the leather-wrapped options in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, though practical and offering great value, appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers. Its styling, reminiscent of "dad jeans," lacked the modern appeal of rivals like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Sorento. Despite this, the Santa Fe featured a handsome grille with a mesh pattern and flush-mounted headlights. The vehicle's profile, with tastefully protected wheel arches and a tall silhouette, lacked the strength and definition of a modern SUV. Inside, the Santa Fe prioritized function over style, with a massive centre console filled with physical buttons and knobs, making it easy to use but not particularly stylish. The rear offered ample space, with a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, but the overall design felt more practical than contemporary.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. This setup, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an additional electric motor for all-wheel drive, allowed the RAV4 to accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 7.5 seconds. This made it about half a second quicker than the standard RAV4, though slightly slower than the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime. The RAV4 Hybrid's braking system utilized regenerative braking to charge the battery, transitioning smoothly to physical brakes when needed. Its suspension provided a comfortable ride over moderate bumps and potholes, offering confident cornering without being sporty.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, managed by a six-speed automatic transmission, offered impressive fuel economy estimates of 7.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 7.4 combined. The Santa Fe Hybrid's HTRAC AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels as needed, with an AWD lock button ensuring a minimum of 20% power to the rear wheels. While not particularly quick, the Santa Fe Hybrid excelled in noise insulation and ride quality, providing a quiet and composed experience even on rough roads. Its handling, steering, and braking were adequate, focusing on comfort and practicality rather than speed or agility.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample space for front passengers, with rear seats accommodating average-sized adults comfortably. While rear headroom was slightly more than competitors like the Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage, legroom was a bit less, though the differences were negligible. The rear seat cushions were set low, which might have left taller passengers wishing for more thigh support on long trips. The RAV4 Hybrid boasted a cargo capacity of 1,059 litres, nearly matching the non-hybrid version, with rear seatbacks folding flat for additional space. Interior storage was a highlight, with a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray for wireless charging, large cupholders, and a spacious centre armrest bin.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire, push-button transmission, freeing up space below the centre stack. However, the stack itself was massive, with limited storage space. The rear seats offered 1,035 mm of legroom, comparable to other large two-row SUVs, and came with a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades. The Santa Fe Hybrid's cargo space was generous, with 1,032 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,041 litres when folded, without sacrificing space for the hybrid powertrain. Up front, the Santa Fe Hybrid included heated and ventilated front seats with leatherette upholstery and an eight-way power driver's seat, enhancing comfort and convenience.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new multimedia infotainment system, significantly improving over previous versions. The system featured modern graphics and logically arranged menus, with most trims offering an 8.0-inch display and higher trims upgrading to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though a wireless charging pad was optional. The system supported over-the-air updates, included a Wi-Fi hotspot, and offered remote monitoring and control. The top trims featured a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and onboard navigation in Canada. While not as visually striking as some competitors, it offered Bluetooth, OTA map updates, and dynamic voice recognition. The infotainment system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though both required a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided a clear view of essential driving information. However, the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available in the U.S. was not offered in Canada, limiting the audio experience for Canadian buyers.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received high safety ratings, with the NHTSA awarding it five stars for overall and side crash protection, and four stars for frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS gave it a "Good" rating in most tests, with an "Acceptable" rating in new frontal and side-impact tests, earning it a Top Safety Pick designation. Standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. The top trims added parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in the gas model category. While some advanced features like the surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor were not available in Canada, the Santa Fe Hybrid included a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. These included adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, and more, making it a strong choice for safety-conscious buyers.