Bachman Hyundai Blog

In the world of family SUVs, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2024 Toyota Highlander stand out as two formidable contenders. Both vehicles offer spacious interiors, ample cargo room, and a host of features designed to make family life on the road easier. However, when it comes to the finer details, the Santa Fe emerges as a standout choice for those seeking a perfect balance of style, performance, and value. Let’s dive into a comparison to see how these two SUVs stack up.

Design and Style: Boldness vs. Tradition

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe’s design has undergone a striking transformation for 2024. With its boxy, angular profile, the Santa Fe exudes a sense of ruggedness and modernity. Hyundai’s signature H branding is prominently displayed throughout, from the unique grille to the sleek taillights. The overall look is bold and distinctive, ensuring that the Santa Fe stands out in a sea of SUVs.

2024 Toyota Highlander: On the other hand, the 2024 Toyota Highlander takes a more traditional approach to design. While it’s undeniably sleek and polished, the Highlander’s design is somewhat conservative compared to the Santa Fe. The Highlander’s exterior styling is elegant and refined, appealing to those who prefer a more understated look.

Winner: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe’s bold and modern design gives it an edge in this category. It’s a head-turner on the road, making a statement without sacrificing functionality.

Performance and Efficiency: Hybrid Power vs. Gas-Only

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: One of the Santa Fe’s standout features for 2024 is its hybrid powertrain. The combination of a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor delivers an impressive 232 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. What’s more, the Santa Fe achieves an EPA-estimated 35 MPG highway and 34 MPG city, making it one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in its class.

2024 Toyota Highlander: The 2024 Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, is offered with a choice of gas-only engines. While these engines provide ample power, with up to 295 horsepower available, the Highlander’s fuel efficiency is not as impressive as the Santa Fe’s hybrid system. The Highlander achieves an EPA-estimated 27 MPG highway and 21 MPG city, respectable numbers but lagging behind the Santa Fe.

Winner: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
With its hybrid powertrain and outstanding fuel efficiency, the Santa Fe takes the lead in this category. Families can enjoy both power and savings at the pump with the Santa Fe’s impressive MPG ratings.

Interior Comfort and Technology: Modern Features Galore

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: Inside the Santa Fe’s cabin, families are greeted with a spacious and tech-forward environment. The interior is adorned with premium materials, including soft-touch surfaces and available leather upholstery with contrast stitching. Hyundai’s latest infotainment system takes center stage, featuring a large touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a host of other connectivity options. The Santa Fe also offers innovative features like a UV disinfectant chamber for smartphones and advanced driver-assist technologies for added safety.

2024 Toyota Highlander: The 2024 Toyota Highlander boasts a comfortable and functional interior, with ample room for passengers and cargo. However, the Highlander’s tech offerings may feel a bit more traditional compared to the Santa Fe. The infotainment system is user-friendly, but it lacks the wow factor of Hyundai’s setup. The Highlander also offers driver-assist features, but they may not be as advanced or intuitive as those found in the Santa Fe.

Winner: Tie
Both the Santa Fe and Highlander offer comfortable and feature-packed interiors, making them excellent choices for families. The Santa Fe shines with its modern tech and premium materials, while the Highlander provides a more traditional yet functional cabin.

Safety and Reliability: Peace of Mind on the Road

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: Hyundai has a strong reputation for safety, and the 2024 Santa Fe continues this trend. The SUV comes equipped with a suite of advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Hyundai’s Blue Link connected services add an extra layer of convenience and security, allowing owners to remotely start their vehicles, locate them in a crowded parking lot, and even set speed and curfew limits for teen drivers.

2024 Toyota Highlander: Toyota is also renowned for its commitment to safety, and the 2024 Highlander is no exception. The Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies that includes pre-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Toyota’s reputation for reliability adds peace of mind for families seeking a dependable SUV.

Winner: Tie
Both the Santa Fe and Highlander prioritize safety, offering a range of advanced features designed to keep passengers safe on the road. Families can trust in the proven track records of both Hyundai and Toyota when it comes to reliability.

Pricing and Value: Getting More Bang for Your Buck

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: One area where the Santa Fe truly shines is in its value proposition. Despite its premium features and hybrid powertrain, the Santa Fe remains competitively priced in its segment. With a starting price that’s often lower than some of its rivals, the Santa Fe offers exceptional value for families looking to get the most for their money. Hyundai’s generous warranty coverage, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, adds to the overall value proposition.

2024 Toyota Highlander: The 2024 Toyota Highlander also offers a compelling value proposition, with a reputation for strong resale value and reliability. However, the Highlander’s starting price tends to be slightly higher than the Santa Fe’s, making it a bit less accessible for budget-conscious families. Toyota’s warranty coverage is respectable but falls short of Hyundai’s generous terms.

Winner: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
In terms of overall value, the Santa Fe takes the lead with its combination of features, performance, and pricing. Families can enjoy premium amenities and hybrid efficiency without breaking the bank, making the Santa Fe a smart choice for those seeking value.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Reigns Supreme

In the battle of family SUVs, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe emerges as the clear winner against the 2024 Toyota Highlander. With its bold design, hybrid powertrain, modern features, and exceptional value, the Santa Fe offers everything today’s families need in a vehicle. Whether it’s the daily commute, weekend adventures, or long road trips, the Santa Fe delivers on style, performance, and practicality.

While the Toyota Highlander is a strong competitor with its comfortable interior, safety features, and reliability, the Santa Fe’s winning combination of standout design, fuel efficiency, advanced technology, and affordability sets it apart from the crowd. Families looking for the ultimate SUV that checks all the boxes should look no further than the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. Visit your local Hyundai dealership today to experience the Santa Fe for yourself and discover why it’s the ultimate choice for family adventures.