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Whether you’re traveling with a growing family, vacationing with friends, or commuting with coworkers, the right SUV can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a regrettable ride. SUVs are expected to multitask, and both the Toyota Highlander and the Hyundai Santa Fe have some interesting qualities to consider. Before you can choose your next SUV, let’s compare these two contenders to see which one meets your needs with comfort and style.
Whether you’re running errands through Thomasville or heading out on a long road trip with a full cabin, your ride should be comfortable from start to finish. Toyota completely redesigned the Highlander for 2020, and you’ll notice the improvements as soon as you open the door. Fine materials and soft surfaces line the cabin from front to back, and all three rows present plush seating with ample support for lengthy outings. Even though both vehicles fit within the midsize SUV segment, there are some considerable differences between the cabins in the Highlander and Santa Fe in terms of interior space and seating. The three-row Highlander can hold up to eight people if you opt for the middle-row bench seat. While the Santa Fe isn’t cramped, its five-person capacity counts it out for larger groups.
The Highlander makes practical use of its cabin space, and you’ll have all the cargo space you need for any situation. It has a 16-cubic-foot cargo area behind the third row, and if you fold all the passenger seating, the Highlander offers a generous 84.3 cubic feet for your biggest hauls. The Santa Fe’s maximum cargo capacity falls short at 71.3 cubic feet.
You don’t have to spring for a higher trim to enjoy high-tech features in the Highlander. Toyota’s SUV comes with features that you won’t find in the standard Santa Fe, including satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa. You’ll need to pay extra to find similar conveniences in the Hyundai. Communication is key on family trips, so Toyota has also equipped the Highlander with Driver Easy Speak, an onboard mic that sends the driver’s voice directly to the rear seats so that no important message goes unheard.
The standard Highlander packs far more energy than the base Santa Fe, with a hearty 295-horsepower V6 engine outperforming Hyundai’s modest 185-horsepower four-cylinder. You’ll have to opt for another engine option in the Hyundai to come any closer to the Toyota’s strength. When equipped for the work, the Highlander can travel with up to 5,000 pounds in-tow. The Santa Fe’s maximum towing capacity is considerably less, at only 3,500 pounds.
There can be only one winner, and if you think it’s the Highlander, we’d love to show you all it can do here at Thomasville Toyota. Come see us whenever you want to see what Toyota’s outstanding SUV can do for you!
