You may not know how much Santa Fe has to offer against the Toyota RAV4. Both SUVs have plenty of pros and cons to consider, but it could be a bigger-than-expected 2023 Toyota RAV4 rival.
Driven: 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Toyota RAV4
We spent a lot of time behind the 2023 and 2023 RAV4 to learn how they stack up. While the RAV4 is the most popular and best-selling option, the Santa Fe is also worth your attention.
. As a result, Santa Fe offers more space for passengers. The Santa Fe has 111.5 cubic feet of passenger volume and the RAV4 maxes out at 98.5. Taller people may appreciate the extra headroom and legroom.
You can access up to 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the Santa Fe’s rear seats and up to 72.1 cubic feet overall. The RAV4 features up to 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and up to 69.8 cubic feet total. So the RAV4 has slightly more trunk space, but the Santa Fe is bigger.
The Santa Fe has more cubbies and storage trays available. In addition, the rear cargo hold features integrated storage compartments. Both SUVs can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. Also, child seats are easier to install in the Santa Fe.
Are the Santa Fe or RAV4 sportier?
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 has a standard 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine with 203hp and 184hp. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately which is below the class average. You have to upgrade to the hybrid or PHEV model for more speed.
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe starts with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191hp and 181Nm of torque. Upgrade to the 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine for 281PS and 311Nm of torque. It can reach 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.
While the RAV4 has vague steering, the Santa Fe can show more body lean around corners. Both options are available with steering wheel controls. The Santa Fe is more eager and prone to skipping gears at times.
Plus, it has a little more off-road oomph than the Santa Fe XRT. The RAV4 gets a suspension lift, multiple off-road driving modes, off-road tires and off-road suspension tuning.
But the Santa Fe XRT has side steps and a roof rack with cross bars. It has AWD lockup, hill descent control, and a 360-degree camera display like the RAV4.
So the RAV4 is a bit more reliable and can be better equipped for off-roading than the Santa Fe. But the Santa Fe is roomier, more comfortable and sportier.
