Compare the2023 Hyundai Santa FeVS 2022 Toyota C-HR

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Santa Fe and C-HR have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Santa Fe has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The C-HR’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Santa Fe are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The C-HR doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy has standard Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The C-HR doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Santa Fe offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The C-HR doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Santa Fe SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The C-HR only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Santa Fe and the C-HR have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe is safer than the Toyota C-HR:

	Santa Fe	C-HR
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	16%	27%
Neck Stress	149 lbs.	312 lbs.
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	24 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	50/51 lbs.	383/344 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	41%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	238 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	222/167 lbs.	155/276 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe is safer than the Toyota C-HR:

	Santa Fe	C-HR
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	61	80
Hip Force	415 lbs.	419 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	148	333
Spine Acceleration	54 G’s	58 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	576 lbs.	714 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Santa Fe its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The C-HR is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The Santa Fe comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The C-HR’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Santa Fe 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the C-HR. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the C-HR ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Santa Fe’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the C-HR’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Santa Fe for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the C-HR (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Santa Fe has a standard 760-amp battery. The C-HR’s 520-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

Engine

The Santa Fe’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (191 vs. 144) and 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (181 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 137 more horsepower (281 vs. 144) and 172 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Santa Fe 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota C-HR:

	Santa Fe	C-HR
Zero to 30 MPH	3.6 sec	4.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	10 sec	11.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	6.4 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	17.6 sec	18.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	83 MPH	80 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Santa Fe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The C-HR doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Santa Fe uses regular unleaded gasoline. The C-HR requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Santa Fe has 5.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-HR (18.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Santa Fe higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Toyota C-HR (3). This means the Santa Fe produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the C-HR every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Santa Fe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-HR:

	Santa Fe	Santa Fe 2.5T	C-HR
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	13.6 inches	11.7 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	12 inches	11.1 inches

The Santa Fe stops much shorter than the C-HR:

	Santa Fe	C-HR
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	137 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Santa Fe has larger standard tires than the C-HR (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18). The Santa Fe Calligraphy’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-HR (255/45R20 vs. 225/50R18).

The Santa Fe Calligraphy’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-HR’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Santa Fe Calligraphy has standard 20-inch wheels. The C-HR’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Santa Fe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The C-HR’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Santa Fe’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the C-HR (108.9 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Santa Fe is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 4.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the C-HR.

The Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the C-HR XLE pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the C-HR XLE (26.7 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Santa Fe has 25.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-HR (111.5 vs. 86).

The Santa Fe has 3.1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 4.8 inches more front hip room, 10.1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 10 inches more rear legroom, 8.3 inches more rear hip room and 5.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-HR.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Santa Fe’s rear seats recline. The C-HR’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Santa Fe has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the C-HR with its rear seat up (36.4 vs. 19.1 cubic feet). The Santa Fe has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the C-HR with its rear seat folded (72.1 vs. 37 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Santa Fe easier. The Santa Fe’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the C-HR’s liftover is 31 inches.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Santa Fe’s (except SE) optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The C-HR doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Santa Fe SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Santa Fe’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The C-HR doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The Santa Fe has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The C-HR has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Assist on the Santa Fe uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The C-HR doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Santa Fe has a much higher standard payload capacity than the C-HR (1411 vs. 835 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The Santa Fe uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The C-HR uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Santa Fe to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the C-HR.

Ergonomics

The Santa Fe SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The C-HR doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The C-HR doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The C-HR doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Santa Fe Calligraphy has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The C-HR doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The C-HR’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Santa Fe’s standard doors lock when the transmission is engaged. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

The Santa Fe’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The C-HR’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The C-HR’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Santa Fe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The C-HR doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The C-HR’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Santa Fe and the C-HR offer available heated front seats. The Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the C-HR.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The C-HR doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The C-HR doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Santa Fe has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The C-HR doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Santa Fe and the C-HR offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Santa Fe has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The C-HR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Santa Fe SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The C-HR doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The C-HR doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The C-HR doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Santa Fe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Santa Fe will cost $665 to $1820 less than the C-HR over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Santa Fe will be $1149 to $13931 less than for the Toyota C-HR.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota C-HR, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Santa Fe outsold the Toyota C-HR by almost 10 to one during 2022.

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