2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The cabin of the Hyundai Santa Fe 2021  is open and comfortable with a luxury look. It starts at $27,700 MSRP. For 2022, a plug-in hybrid powertrain will be included in the Santa Fe range. This 260-hp model also offers up to 31 miles of all-electric travel on a single charge. The Santa Fe now comes with a quartet of engine options, including a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower, but purchasers may upgrade to a turbocharged 2.5-liter with 277 horsepower. Both come with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard or all-wheel drive as an option.

The hybrid variant has a six-speed automatic transmission, a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, and two electric motors to provide 226 horsepower, and all-wheel drive is standard. Drivers love the Santa Fe's calm and steady ride throughout everyday tasks, as well as just enough agility and steering input for fun yet comfortable commutes.

The Ascent is well-suited for family road excursions thanks to the company's characteristic all-wheel-drive technology. It starts at $32,795 MSRP. Its 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has average acceleration and can be loud under load, but it can tow a camper trailer or speedboat. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is noisy but provides smooth, gearless shifts. At low speeds throughout town, its throttle response was extremely abrupt. For those who prefer additional control over the gearbox, the Ascent offers paddle shifters placed on the steering wheel. The Subaru provided a smooth ride that shielded us from any uneven areas. Even though it had 20-inch wheels, it ran well over uneven terrain and absorbed heavy hits. Unfortunately, when traveling down the highway, be prepared to listen to a lot of wind and road noise. It may not be as fun to drive due to its heavier stature and third-row seats, but its light, precise steering responds quickly and feels smooth and in control.

Fuel Economy

A 12.4-kWh battery pack is used in the plug-in hybrid vehicle to provide up to 31 miles of electric-only driving. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor work together to produce 260 horsepower.

According to the EPA, the non-turbo four-cylinder Santa Fe will get up to 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway in 2022. The optional turbocharged variant gets up to 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the interstate. The hybrid variant was rated at 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The Subaru Ascent is predicted to get 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. In all categories, those who choose the top-tier Limited and Touring versions will lose one mpg. Nonetheless, the Ascent features better-than-average EPA figures. However, despite having lower government ratings, many competitors in the same category proved more fuel-efficient in real-world tests.

Interior & Infotainment

Hyundai interiors are recognized more for their robust build quality and useful functions than for their cutting-edge designs and high-end materials. Despite this, the Santa Fe boasts a stylish interior with modern features like a digital gauge cluster, head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and more. Its most notable feature is the ample passenger room in both rows, which is especially useful on lengthy road journeys. Infotainment features include:

8.0 or 10.3” Touchscreen

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Wireless Charging

630-Watt, 12-Speaker Audio System

Heated Rear Seats

Subaru Ascent

While the interior can seat a large group, the third-row passenger room falls short of larger competitors. Unfortunately, desirable comfort and entertainment options like as heated rear seats, a memory driver's seat, power-adjustable passenger seat, and leather-trimmed upholstery are only available on the top two variants. These trim levels also come with a costly price increase. The Ascent can accommodate up to eight people, but it will be uncomfortable. The Ascent does have a variety of top-trim level commodities, including: