2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota RAV4

Toyota Rav 4 vs Hyundai Sante Fe

Table of Contents

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2022 Toyota RAV4 are two of the most popular crossovers on the market. They are both stylish, comfortable, and packed with features. Which one is right for you?

Buying a new car can be a difficult decision. You want to find the perfect vehicle that meets your needs and fits your budget. There are so many important things to consider. Price, fuel efficiency, and safety are all important factors, but so is comfort. The Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota RAV4 are both popular SUVs that offer a lot of features and comfort. So, which one should you choose?

Overview

2022 SANTA FE Hybrid

Car Brand Overview

Hyundai and Toyota are both well-known car brands that offer a wide range of vehicles. They both have a reputation for quality and durability. The Hyundai Santa Fe (South Korea) and the Toyota RAV4 (Japanese) are two of their most popular crossover models.

Car Model Overview

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a crossover SUV that was redesigned for the 2022 model year. It is a seven-seater with a lot of features and amenities. The Toyota RAV4 is also a crossover SUV, and it has been redesigned for the 2022 model year as well. It is a five-seater with plenty of features.

Who it’s Perfect For

The Hyundai Santa Fe is perfect for families that need a lot of space. It has seven seats, so it can comfortably accommodate a large group. The Toyota RAV4 is perfect for small families or couples. It is a five-seater SUV with plenty of features.

Consider your needs and your budget when making your decision. The Hyundai Santa Fe may be a better fit if you need a lot of space, while the Toyota RAV4 may be a better fit if you are looking for a smaller SUV. Whichever car you choose, you can be sure that you are getting a quality vehicle that will meet your needs.

How It Feels To Drive

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a great car to drive. It handles well on the road and is comfortable to ride in. The Toyota RAV4 is also a good car to drive, but it doesn’t handle as well as the Santa Fe. The RAV4 is a little bit noisier than the Santa Fe and it doesn’t ride as smoothly.

Ratings:

Edmund’s Rating:

The Santa Fe is rated 7.7/10

The RAV4 is rated 7.7/10

Edmund’s Rating is the same for both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota RAV4. They are both rated 7.7/10. That means you can choose the vehicle that fits the needs of you and your family and feel confident about your choice.

Consumer Rating:

The Santa Fe is rated

The RAV4 is rated

Specs

Trims

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe comes in five different trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Toyota RAV4 comes in six different trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited. The SE trim of the Hyundai Santa Fe is a great value for the price. It comes standard with a 2.4-liter engine, an eight-inch touchscreen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a rearview camera, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Toyota RAV4 LE also comes standard with a 2.4-liter engine, as well as an eight-inch touchscreen display, Siri Eyes Free and Apple CarPlay, a rearview camera, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Both the Hyundai Santa Fe SEL and the Toyota RAV4 XLE come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine.

Available Colors

Both the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2022 Toyota RAV4 come in a variety of colors. The Hyundai Santa Fe comes in seven different colors: Stormy Sea, Twilight Black, Shimmering Silver, Portofino Gray, Quartz White, Hampton Gray, and Calypso Red. The Toyota RAV4 comes in ten different colors: Cavalry Blue, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Lunar Rock, Blue Flame, Blizzard Pearl, Super White, Midnight Black Metallic, Ruby Flare Pearl, Blueprint, and Silver Sky Metallic.

Brakes:

The brakes on the Hyundai Santa Fe are much better than the brakes on the Toyota RAV4. The Santa Fe comes standard with ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes, while the RAV4 comes standard with anti-lock, front disc, and rear solid disc brakes. This means that the Santa Fe is much more likely to stop quickly and safely in an emergency. If you are looking for a car with good brakes, the Santa Fe is the better choice.

Dimensions

The Hyundai Santa Fe is 188″ long, while the Toyota RAV4 is 181-182″ long. The Santa Fe is also 75″ wide, while the RAV4 is 73″ wide. Finally, the Santa Fe is 66″ high, while the RAV4 is 67-69″ high. So, the Hyundai Santa Fe is larger in all dimensions than the Toyota.

Tire/Wheel Size

The size of the tires and wheels on a car can affect how it looks and also how it drives. The Hyundai Santa Fe has tires that are 18-20″ in diameter and 7.5-8″ wide. The Toyota RAV4 has tires that are 17-19″ in diameter and 7-7.5″ wide, but they are made of alloy which makes them lighter and stronger. This may give the RAV4 an advantage when it comes to driving.

Ground Clearance

The ground clearance is the distance between the ground and the lowest point on a car. The Hyundai Santa Fe has a ground clearance of 8.2 inches, while the Toyota RAV4 has a ground clearance of 8.4 inches. This means that the Toyota RAV4 has a slightly higher ground clearance, which could be beneficial when driving over rough terrain.

Weight

The weight of a car can affect its performance. The Hyundai Santa Fe weighs in at 4,094 lbs., while the Toyota RAV4 weighs in at 3,829 lbs. The Hyundai Santa Fe is slightly heavier than the Toyota RAV4. Heavier cars tend to be more stable and less prone to rolling over in a crash. However, they also tend to require more power to move them and can consume more fuel.

Cargo Space

The Hyundai Santa Fe has more cargo space than the Toyota RAV4. The Santa Fe has 36.4 ft of cargo space, while the RAV4 has 37.5 to 37.6 ft of cargo space. This means that the Santa Fe can hold more in its cargo area than the RAV4.

Seating Capacity

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota RAV4 both can seat up to five passengers. However, the Santa Fe has more legroom in both the front and the back seats than the RAV4. So, if you are looking for a car with more legroom, the Santa Fe is a better choice.

Gas Mileage /City MPG

The Hyundai Santa Fe has a gas mileage of up to 25/city and 28/highway, while the Toyota RAV4 has a gas mileage of up to 27/city and 35/highway. The RAV4 gets better gas mileage than the Santa Fe, particularly on the highway.

Legroom

The Hyundai Santa Fe has more front legroom than the Toyota RAV4. The Santa Fe has 44.1 inches of front legroom, while the RAV4 has 41 inches of front legroom. The Santa Fe also has more rear legroom than the RAV4. The Santa Fe has 41.7 inches of rear legroom but the RAV4 has only 37.8 inches of rear legroom. So, if you need a lot of legroom, the Santa Fe is the better choice.

Warranty

The Hyundai comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000 powertrain warranty. The Toyota RAV4 comes with a 3 yr/36,000 mi basic warranty, and a 5 yr/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Hyundai has a pretty clear edge on warranties.

Safety:

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a very safe vehicle. It has been awarded a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Santa Fe comes equipped with a number of advanced safety features, including Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, and more.

The Toyota RAV4 is also a very safe vehicle. It has been awarded a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The RAV4 comes equipped with a number of advanced safety features, including Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, and more.

When it comes to safety, the Toyota RAV4 and the Hyundai Santa Fe are both excellent choices.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Performance:

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe:  

  • Engine Model: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 191 to 277 hp
  • Acceleration: 0-60mph in 8.9 sec
  • Towing Capacity: 2,000 to 3,500 lbs
  • Torque: 181 to 311 lb-ft
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic 

2022 Toyota RAV4: 

  • Engine Model: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 203 hp
  • Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds
  • Towing Capacity: 1,500 to 3,500 lbs
  • Torque: 184 lb-ft
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic

The performance of the two SUVs is quite comparable. The Hyundai Santa Fe has a bit more horsepower. Both have a towing capacity of up to 3,500 lbs. The Toyota RAV4 has a slightly faster acceleration time of 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Both models have 8-speed automatic transmission.

Driveability:

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a great vehicle for long drives. It handles smoothly and is comfortable to drive. The Toyota RAV4 is also a great choice for extended road trips. It performs well and is pleasant to drive. However, Santa Fe edges out the RAV4 in this category.

Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota RAV4 offer plenty of interior space for passengers and cargo. However, Santa Fe offers a bit more room than the RAV4. This makes it a better choice for larger families or groups.

Overall, the Hyundai Santa Fe is the better choice for a family vehicle. It has superior driveability and offers more interior space than the Toyota RAV4. It is also more affordable to operate.

Fuel Economy:

The Hyundai Santa Fe has a gas mileage of up to 25mpg/city and 28mpg/highway, while the Toyota RAV4 has a gas mileage of up to 27mpg/city and 35mpg/highway. The RAV4 gets better gas mileage than the Santa Fe, particularly on the highway.

Reliability:

J.D. Power Quality and Reliability ratings are a combination of quality and dependability scores. Quality scores are based on initial owner response and feedback of their new purchase whereas Dependability scores focus on longer-term ownership experiences of 3 years.

The RAV4 was named “Most Dependable Midsize SUV” by J.D. Power and Associates, with a rating of 8.1. but the 2022 Santa Fe has not yet been rated. Kelley Blue Book rates the RAV4 at 4.7/5.0. The Hyundai Santa Fe squeaks by the Toyota with a 4.8/5.0 Blue Book Rating. It is also the winner of Car.USNews.com’s 2022 Best 2-Row SUV for the Money award.

Both of these Asian-made crossovers are rated at or near the top of all safety, reliability, and durability charts. The Santa Fe is a slightly newer model, so it may edge out the RAV4 in long-term dependability. However, at this point, it is anyone’s game.

Pricing

The Santa Fe sales price begins at $29,335, while the Toyota RAV4 starts at $28,617. Monthly payments would be around $587 for the Hyundai Santa Fe, and $571 for the RAV4. This does give the RAV4 an edge when it comes to cost.

Lease Price

Lease prices are once again similar – the RAV4 begins at $325 monthly and the Santa Fe starts at $342 on a 36-month lease. This again makes the RAV4 the better bargain, with a savings of $204 per year.

Insurance:

The insurance cost for the Hyundai Santa Fe is $127 per month on average, while the insurance cost for the Toyota RAV4 is $125 per month on average. So, the Toyota RAV4 is a little less expensive to insure than the Santa Fe. (It’s a slim $24 per year.)

Military Incentives/Discounts:

Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota RAV4 offer military incentives and discounts. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a $500 cashback incentive, while the Toyota RAV4 offers a $500 military rebate. So, both cars offer the same amount of incentives to members of the US Military.

Depreciation:

A Toyota RAV4 will depreciate 40% after 5 years and have a 5-year resale value of $18,203. The RAV4 is similar to other Toyota vehicles in that it is a vehicle with high value and excellent performance. The Hyundai Santa Fe will depreciate 50% after 5 years and have a 5-year resale value of $18,038. In three years, a Hyundai Santa Fe will have deteriorated by one-third in terms of value, as compared to the value when new. The depreciation rates for each value are comparable, however, it is worth noting that Toyota has an especially outstanding reputation for quality and durability.

***

Features

  • Rearview camera
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Forward collision warning
  • Pedestrian and cyclist detection
  • Forward automatic emergency braking
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane keep assist
  • Automatic high-beam headlights
  • Driver drowsiness monitoring
  • Rear seat alert (helps to prevent children and pets from being left inside the vehicle)
  • Safe exit assist (uses sensors to detect when it’s safe to open the rear doors)
  • Highway Driving Assist (advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering)
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Remote Smart Parking Assist (lets you use the key fob to pull the SUV in or out of a parking spot while you’re outside the vehicle)
  • Surround-view parking camera system with blind-spot view

Our Favorite Features of the Hyundai Santa Fe

  • Comes standard with safety features like blind-spot monitoring.
  • Santa Fe is a stylish SUV.
  • Offers a hybrid engine option.
  • Rearview camera is standard.
  • Comes with Siri Eyes Free Integration.
  • Remote Smart Parking Assist (lets you use the key fob to pull the SUV in or out of a parking spot while you’re outside the vehicle)

Our Favorite Features of the Toyota RAV4

  • Sizable cargo hold.
  • Great fuel economy.
  • A plethora of standard and optional features.
  • Comfortable ride quality.
  • Standard safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.
  • Rear seat alert (helps to prevent children and pets from being left inside the vehicle)
  • Safe exit assist (uses sensors to detect when it’s safe to open the rear doors)

Conclusion:

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe are both terrific crossover vehicles with many standard features put into cars manufactured with safety, reliability, and durability. Both cars would be excellent choices for a family that is in the market for an SUV and would likely come down to personal preference rather than a negative feeling about either car.

While they share some similarities, there are also some key differences between these two models. The Santa Fe comes standard with features like blind-spot monitoring and a rearview camera, which the RAV4 does not.

Both the Santa Fe and the RAV4 are available in a hybrid engine option, The RAV4 does offer great fuel economy, as well as comfortable ride quality. Additionally, it has a sizable cargo hold.

The Santa Fe is also available with some great features like Siri Eyes Free Integration and the Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allow you to control various functions of the car from outside of it.

Ultimately, both the Santa Fe and the RAV4 would be great choices for an SUV, but we think that the Santa Fe’s additional features make it the better choice overall.

About Marcus The Car Guy

I've been in car sales and finance for over 20 years, working at the highest volume dealerships in the nation including Fletcher Jones, DCH and more. Want to pick my brain on finding cars, negotiating cars, and structuring car deals?

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