- These two hybrids display the span of SUVs right now
- In real-world driving, Santa Fe Hybrid will get almost double the mpg
- Land Cruiser hybrid sacrifices a lot for the sake of off-road prowess, larger towing scores
Some SUVs are supposed for severe truck responsibility, like towing and off-roading. Others are targeted round consolation and household responsibility, with slightly little bit of journey thrown into the combination.
Whereas that distinction is nothing new, the strains between these totally different colleges of EVs have been blurred a bit extra annually. The look of these truck-based SUVs has turn out to be slightly extra trendy and treasured within the particulars, whereas the carlike ones have gone all boxy and cladding-endowed—to the purpose the place it could not all the time be obvious which is which on the dealership lot.
For instance, a Santa Fe and a Land Cruiser wouldn’t have been even remotely seen in the identical lens up to now. However in a single mannequin 12 months that each one modified. For 2024, Toyota reintroduced the Land Cruiser as a less expensive, less complicated, all-hybrid model of an SUV icon that had grown very costly in its previous-generation kind. In the meantime for 2024, Hyundai gave the Santa Fe (together with the hybrid) an entire overhaul, bringing a very new feel and look to this mannequin in and out.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
In back-to-back weeks, I managed to test in with two boxy hybrid SUVs—a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy costing round $50,000, and a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser at round $70,000—that might simply be seen as having lots in widespread, once they actually don’t. Each provide related forms of hybrid powertrains in comparatively squared-off profiles, rounded for various ranges of contemporary end.Extra floor clearance than carlike fashions, roof racks and tie-downs, loads of decrease physique cladding, and octagonal wheel-well safety all promote the lure of the outside, however one is supposed extra for soccer follow.
Inside and within the driving experiences they supply—and of their daily-use backside line—they couldn’t be extra totally different.
How does one in every of them obtain almost double the real-world fuel mileage of the opposite? How does one in every of them provide greater than a 95-hp benefit with out accelerating noticeably faster? And the way does one in every of them match three usable rows of seating into much less area than it takes for the opposite to suit a seemingly compromised two rows?
All of it comes all the way down to a set of traits which may not be so obvious to right now’s developed SUV consumers, particularly in opposition to the advertising backdrop of dusty trails.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Land Cruiser hybrid programs: Lots in widespread
At a look, these two hybrid programs have lots in widespread. Each have turbocharged 4-cylinder engines with electrical motors performing as go-betweens within the energy movement with conventional hydraulic automated transmissions, plus comparatively small batteries to retailer power from regenerative braking and launch it to spice up energy and effectivity. Each of those SUVs additionally depend on acquainted mechanically configured however electronically managed all-wheel-drive programs (as a foundation for a real 4WD system within the Land Cruiser, which we’ll get to).
The Santa Fe Hybrid makes use of what Hyundai calls a transmission-mounted electrical system (TMED) packaging a motor between the gasoline engine and 6-speed automated transmission, with a 1.5-kwh lithium-ion battery pack. A clutch between the engine and motor permits the engine to be remoted from the driveline, for all-electric operation as situations enable. The 1.6-liter turbo-4 makes 178 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, whereas the electrical motor makes 60 hp and 195 lb-ft; they mix for an output of 231 hp.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid
The Toyota Land Cruiser, however, will get what Toyota extra flamboyantly names its i-Power Max hybrid system. It’s powered by a 278-hp, 2.4-liter turbo-4. A 48-hp electrical motor is packaged inside a bell housing between the engine and an strange 8-speed automated transmission—additionally with a clutch between the engine and motor—with a complete system output of 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Its nickel-metal-hydride battery pack has a capability of simply 0.9 kwh.
Extra energy doesn’t make the Toyota any faster or extra environment friendly. Sheer weight is an enormous a part of it. The Land Cruiser weighs a whopping 5,445 kilos, about 900 greater than the Santa Fe Hybrid and some hundred greater than a equally sized base Kia EV9 electrical SUV, for a comparability with about the identical footprint—regardless that the EV9 is saddled with a heavy battery pack.
Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid vs. Santa Fe Hybrid mpg: Oh what a distinction
My 53-mile loop tends to carry out the effectivity benefits of hybrids, because it consists of a variety of minor ups and downs, with about 700 toes of general achieve and loss, and equal elements under-65-mph freeways, suburban boulevards, and rolling-hill backroads.
Working them of their respective Eco modes on that route (in 2WD within the Toyota’s case), I averaged an indicated best-case-scenario 23 mpg within the Land Cruiser hybrid and 38 mpg within the Santa Fe Hybrid.
It’s price mentioning that the Santa Fe Hybrid got here with EPA scores of 35 mpg metropolis, 34 freeway, and 34 mixed, whereas the Land Cruiser was rated at 22/25/23 mpg. I’ve by no means struggled to only meet EPA mixed scores in that light loop and the climate was gentle, with temps within the 50s.
I averaged lower than 19 mpg the remaining 90 miles I lined within the Land Cruiser—almost equally city driving and freeway cruising by mileage. In the meantime, within the Santa Fe Hybrid, the journey pc mentioned I averaged almost 34 mpg after one other 70 miles of mixed driving. Each examples included some fast bursts to see how a lot energy was on faucet and to grasp dynamics and responsiveness, so that you’re certain to do a bit higher. Clearly, the Hyundai is rather more environment friendly than the Toyota.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
Solutions in very totally different layouts, 4WD programs?
The Santa Fe’s all-wheel-drive system goals for infrequent use, and sustaining traction after a snowstorm or on the best way to a campsite. It employs a middle clutch to fluctuate the quantity of torque going to the rear wheels, together with a Sensible mode, in addition to Snow (80:20 to 50:50 entrance/rear), Sand/Mud (50:50), or a middle “lock” at 50:50.
The Land Cruiser does it a bit otherwise. Its system features a heart locking differential, a rear locker, and a Multi-Terrain Choose system with off-road modes for specialised terrain and situations. It may be utilized in each its 4Hi and 4Lo ranges—one thing the Hyundai doesn’t have—and there’s a clean crawl management system for steep slippery slopes or simply holding it as gradual as needed for difficult terrain. The Land Cruiser most undoubtedly has extra spectacular method, departure, and breakover angles for severe and common off-roading and we all know it might dominate the path versus the Hyundai…however that’s probably not the purpose right here.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser
These SUVs even have totally different suspensions. The Land Cruiser has a entrance impartial suspension plus a rear stay axle that helps allow its stronger towing score of as much as 6,000 kilos (versus simply 1,650 kilos for the Santa Fe). The Land Cruiser additionally affords a disconnecting entrance stabilizer bar that permits the suspension to flex extra, offering a number of wheel articulation to take care of traction over heaves or boulders. As for the Santa Fe Hybrid, it has struts and coil springs in entrance, with a rear multi-link impartial setup, a lot as a big automobile may.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
Experience high quality and on-the-road suspension conduct was night-and-day totally different between these two SUVs. The Santa Fe felt comparatively comfortable and absorbent round city, with sufficient firmness to stop extra lean when pressed arduous into corners. The Land Cruiser however rode with a busy, considerably noisy harshness, with undue head-toss over regular city patchwork. But out on a curvy street, the Land Cruiser’s suspension gave solution to a variety of lean and physique roll.
Finally it comes all the way down to a key distinction, along with the Land Cruiser’s stay axle: The Land Cruiser is a body-on-frame truck, whereas the Santa Fe is a unibody crossover.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
Land Cruiser vs. Santa Fe Hybrid seating, cargo area: Largest is smallest
The Land Cruiser is slightly bigger in all exterior dimensions. At 193.8 inches lengthy, it’s 3.5 inches longer, 3.1 inches wider, and 5.5 inches taller general than the Santa Fe, with its 8.3 inches of floor clearance 1.3 inches greater than the Santa Fe’s.
But all that additional area on the skin disappears inside. The Santa Fe is masses extra spacious inside, with three usable rows versus two within the Land Cruiser. Whereas the Santa Fe’s third row is de facto too small for grownup use (particularly getting again there), its second-row captain’s chairs feels luxurious and good for a protracted weekend out on the freeway. In the meantime, the second row within the Land Cruiser feels oddly brief on each knee room and cushioning.
Inside, the Santa Fe is trendy and complicated, and its supplies, trims, and textures are a step above the Land Cruiser’s, and actually it’s a matter of priorities. The Toyota inside consists of a great deal of arduous plastic that appears prefer it may scratch and look dingy over time. It’s extra utilitarian regardless of a better worth.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
With its taller, longer physique and no third row, it’s not shocking that it has extra cargo area behind its second row in comparison with the Santa Fe—46.2 cubic toes versus 40.5 cubes. Behind the entrance seats, someway that lead shrinks—to 82.1 cubic toes versus 79.6 cubic toes. Essentially the most exasperating piece of packaging within the Land Cruiser is the cargo ground, which rises above the hatchback opening in a really awkward approach, signaling some poorly coordinated engineering departments.
Subsequent to one another, it’s clear the Santa Fe has slightly extra taper in its greenhouse; it not solely narrows extra on the best way as much as the roof but additionally resolves in a slight slope downward on the rear of the roofline earlier than it cuts down. They’re decisions influenced by aerodynamics, for positive, however I discovered it noteworthy that they don’t appear to noticeably have an effect on inside area.
These two fashions would have about the identical hood top if it weren’t for the Land Cruiser’s unnecessarily bulbous hood—which quaked visibly and incessantly at 70 mph. Underhood turbulence, anybody?
Land Cruiser vs. Santa Fe Hybrid: Drivability delights, quirks, footnotes
In real-world use, these powertrains and hybrid programs couldn’t be extra totally different, regardless that they’re laid out so equally. The engine is well-muted within the Hyundai, and it might be straightforward to lose observe of the place it’s within the rev band, or even when it’s on or not, if it weren’t for the tachometer. That’s an excellent factor. However within the Toyota, shifts are unattainable to overlook, as they’re intermittently harsh (particularly the 1-2 shift). The powertrain appears to be happier underneath load; step into the accelerator slightly tougher or climb a hill and issues clean out, however should you’re trudging alongside in site visitors there’s no area to try this and in that setting it merely doesn’t have any refinement.
The Land Cruiser’s engine additionally runs much more usually than in most different hybrids, and it’s loud. Neglect a couple of stealth mode right here, as in different Toyota hybrids, permitting you to traverse a driveway or subdivision quietly.Deciding on Eco additionally doesn’t appear to make this hybrid extra electrical. Its turbo-4 all the time begins up with slightly little bit of a howl and settles in with a raspy high quality. In my expertise, the Santa Fe Hybrid’s engine normally began when setting out, and it was straightforward to maintain the engine off when creeping right into a driveway or aspect road on the finish of a visit.
Acceleration is a combined bag for each of those hybrid SUVs. Each get to 60 mph in a bit lower than eight seconds, and regardless of that 95-hp deficit in mixed output (sure, blame weight), the Santa Fe Hybrid feels simply as fast to 60 mph, if not a bit faster to 40 mph, should you merely maintain the accelerator mashed. Each have a tendency to sit down and take a deep breath for a fraction of a second once you stomp on the accelerator. However in any sort of passing maneuver or sudden want for acceleration, the Land Cruiser felt lots faster.
The Hyundai gives paddles with a number of regenerative-braking steps and well-blended braking. Essentially the most aggressive degree is sort of sufficient to name it one-pedal driving, whereas the Land Cruiser’s system gives no (or subsequent to no) regenerative braking in the previous few toes of a cease.
Land Cruiser vs. Santa Fe Hybrid worth and worth
The costs of those automobiles don’t match up with first impressions—or perhaps a actuality test on worth.
Within the top-trim kind I examined, the Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy got here loaded with options which may sometimes be related to luxury-brand fashions. Its normal characteristic set introduced a head-up show, heated-and-cooled entrance seats, second-row power-folding heated captain’s chairs, a heated steering wheel, heated aspect mirrors, Bose premium audio, and a digital key. The Calligraphy begins at $50,215, and premium paint and carpeted ground mats bumped the value of my tester to $50,895.
My Toyota Land Cruiser added as much as a whopping $71,534 as examined. Its standard-feature set regarded slimmer subsequent to the Santa Fe Hybrid’s, though heated and cooled entrance seats, an influence driver seat, and a heated steering wheel. On high of the Land Cruiser trim’s $63,345 base worth, greater than $8,000 in choices included the $4,600 Premium Package deal, with 14-speaker premium audio, a sunroof, wi-fi system charging, an influence leather-trimmed driver seat, a head-up show, and extra driver-assistance options. An improve to 20-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and a two-tone roof scheme have been among the many different choices.
Stripping away all of the choices and a few of the pizzazz, the 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid begins at $39,775 in SEL trim, whereas the 2025 Land Cruiser begins at $58,150 in its base 1958 model.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid
Each SUVs provide wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Going out and in of CarPlay in each, the Hyundai’s system merely felt higher built-in, clearer, and extra versatile, with its flowing, “open idea” format that shifts a few of the local weather controls up into the display screen area (and the shifter as much as the steering column). Toyota’s wide-format display screen, for example, nonetheless can’t cut up its display screen once you’re utilizing CarPlay—one thing we have been instructed was on the best way when this technique arrived a pair years in the past.
Land Cruiser offers up lots, shakes you down for extra
This circles round to a backside line: The Toyota Land Cruiser does provide considerably extra functionality—in off-roading and towing—however at an enormous sacrifice the remainder of the time to consolation, area, refinement, and effectivity versus a comparably sized mannequin that doesn’t push these boundaries. The Toyota even calls for considerably more cash for that have.
In all equity, Toyota does have a mannequin that’s a more in-depth rival to the Santa Fe Hybrid. That may be the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, which does come rated at as much as 34 mpg with AWD.
Toyota Land Cruiser hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
The comparability between the 2 right here helps underscore how far SUVs have come, and the way the old-style SUV method has turn out to be a slim, dearer area of interest for good cause. If you would like the SUV kind issue however don’t want all of the outdated SUV baggage, the Santa Fe Hybrid explains in a language most buyers will admire that you simply don’t want that compromise.
