2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a distinct departure from the brand's previous design language, which had been gradually evolving through models like the Palisade and Ioniq series. It was challenging to determine if the Santa Fe represented the culmination of these design steps or a new direction altogether. The vehicle's boxy shape was a deliberate choice to optimize storage capacity, as explained by Hyundai's design chief, SangYup Lee. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Santa Fe managed to look upscale and attract attention, even in rural settings. The exterior featured a sophisticated color palette, including matte options, and the anodized-finish badging introduced on the Ioniq 6. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims showcasing a mix of soft and hard materials, creating a luxurious yet practical interior.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Defender maintained its rugged appeal, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design. The Defender offered a wide range of customization options, with base prices starting at $58,525 for the 90 model and reaching $120,525 for the 130 V8. The Defender X trim, priced at $102,525, included the Extended Black Exterior Pack and advanced off-roading technology. The test vehicle featured 20-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires, and options like the Towing Pack and Climate Pack added to its versatility. The Defender's interior boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with an industrial theme that emphasized functionality over luxury. Despite its rugged nature, the Defender's cabin provided a purposeful and comfortable environment.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional, except for the XRT trim, which came with AWD as standard. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road modes. A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was also available, producing 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy varied, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the hybrid offered up to 36 mpg combined. The Santa Fe's towing capacity reached 4,500 pounds in the XRT trim, thanks to additional cooling features. On the road, the Santa Fe provided smooth and stable driving dynamics, with notable body roll in turns. Off-road, the XRT trim demonstrated capability comparable to other rugged SUVs.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X could tow up to 8,200 pounds and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road prowess. The Defender excelled in off-road capability, often surpassing the skill level of its drivers. On-road, the Defender 130 provided a comfortable ride, though its 20-inch wheels and substantial weight limited its agility on twisty roads. The Defender's fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed 16.2 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor, with most of the extra space dedicated to the cargo area. Inspired by the concept of "chabak," the Santa Fe's design emphasized car camping and tailgating, with an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows offered spacious seating. The Santa Fe's interior featured a range of upholstery options, from stain-resistant cloth to plush quilted Nappa leather. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Santa Fe also introduced a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox for added convenience.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position provided excellent visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row added to the open and airy feel. The Defender's interior included a heated second-row bench seat or optional captain's chairs, with a four-zone climate control system available. The third-row seat was heated and comfortable, providing ample space for passengers. The Defender's cargo area featured a side-hinged door and a high load floor, with 15.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display that elegantly integrated digital real estate without feeling overwhelming. The touchscreen display offered intuitive menus, crisp graphics, and easy phone pairing with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims featured wireless charging and Hyundai's BlueLink system for vehicle access and information. Hyundai Pay and a biometric fingerprint scanner added convenience and security.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services. While Pivi Pro had previously been criticized for its slow response, it performed well during testing, with accurate voice commands and an intuitive user experience. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system impressed, and additional features included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system for added convenience.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance features. Standard equipment included adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitors, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a head-up display. The Santa Fe also introduced driver monitoring, combining an infrared camera and capacitive sensors to track alertness and issue warnings if necessary.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a range of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The Defender's safety systems operated smoothly, though the lane-keep assist occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the Defender's safety features provided confidence on the road.