Compare the2023 BMW X2 VS 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The BMW X2 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the X2 and the Santa Fe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, and available all wheel drive.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Santa Fe’s (12 vs. 7 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Santa Fe isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 13th.

The X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (228 vs. 191) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 181) than the Santa Fe’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (301 vs. 281) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 311) than the Santa Fe Limited/Calligraphy’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the BMW X2 xDrive28i is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe (base engine):

	X2	Santa Fe
Zero to 30 MPH	3.4 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	10 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	17.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92 MPH	83 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the Santa Fe:

			MPG
X2
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
Santa Fe
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/25 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X2’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Santa Fe:

	X2	X2 M35i	Santa Fe	Santa Fe 2.5T
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.2 inches	12.8 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13 inches	12 inches	12 inches

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Fe are solid, not vented.

The X2 stops shorter than the Santa Fe:

	X2	Santa Fe
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Santa Fe’s standard 60 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Santa Fe Calligraphy’s 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X2 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Santa Fe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X2 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The X2 is 1 foot, 4.2 inches shorter than the Santa Fe, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X2 is 7.2 inches shorter in height than the Santa Fe, making the X2 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The front step up height for the X2 is .9 inches lower than the Santa Fe (16.6” vs. 17.5”). The X2’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the Santa Fe’s (17” vs. 18.3”).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X2. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 35% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

The X2’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the X2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Santa Fe can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X2’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Santa Fe SE/XRT/SEL’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the X2’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Santa Fe’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X2 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The X2’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Santa Fe SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy.

The X2’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Santa Fe offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The X2 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Santa Fe SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X2 and the Hyundai Santa Fe, based on reliability, safety and performance.