The Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe are both superb choices for the compact crossover SUV segment. See how they compare in this 2023 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe analysis. With its many advantages, the RAV4 beats the Santa Fe. 

2023 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

In this 2023 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe crossover SUV comparison, we evaluated several areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, towing, off-road capabilities, safety, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, and price.

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Performance

On the performance front, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offers three engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (203 horsepower), a hybrid (219 horsepower), and a plug-in hybrid with the RAV4 Prime (308 horsepower). 

In comparison, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offers four engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (191 horsepower), a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (277 horsepower), a hybrid (226 horsepower), and a plug-in hybrid (260 horsepower). 

As you can see, the RAV4 has both a higher base engine horsepower output and maximum output. Furthermore, the RAV4 bests the Santa Fe for acceleration. It has a 0-60 mph time as low as 5.5 seconds, which is for the RAV4 Prime. In comparison, the lowest 0-60 mph time that the Santa Fe achieves is 6.0 seconds. 

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Gas mileage

The RAV4 also has the advantage for efficiency. The fully gas-powered RAV4 has an estimated fuel economy of up to 30 combined mpg, while the RAV4 Hybrid has a gas mileage of up to 40 combined mpg. Also, the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid has a fuel efficiency of 94 MPGe when in electric-only mode and 38 combined mpg in hybrid mode.

In comparison, the fully gas-powered Santa Fe gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 25 combined mpg, while the Santa Fe Hybrid has a gas mileage of 32 combined mpg. Also, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid gets an estimated fuel efficiency of 76 MPGe when driving in electric-only mode and 33 combined mpg in hybrid mode.

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Towing

The 2023 RAV4 can tow more than the 2023 Santa Fe. It has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, compared to 2,000 pounds for the Santa Fe.

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Off-road capabilities

Both crossover SUVs offer a traction-enhancing all-wheel drive system, but the RAV4 is better for off-road use. For one, the RAV4 has higher ground clearance than the Santa Fe (up to 8.6 vs. 8.2 inches). Also, while the Santa Fe offers a rugged XRT trim, it doesn’t match the capabilities of the RAV4’s off-road models. This includes the Woodland Edition, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road trims.

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Safety

Both the RAV4 and Santa Fe offer a solid roster of safety and driving assistance features. This includes brake assist, a lane-keeping system, electronic stability control, a blind-spot monitoring system, a collision avoidance system, and a backup camera.

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Passenger and cargo space

The Santa Fe is slightly bigger than the RAV4, which results in more interior space. It has a total passenger volume of 111.5 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 72.1 cu-ft. In comparison, the RAV4 has a total passenger volume of 98.9 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 69.8 cu-ft.

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Warranty coverage

The Santa Fe has more generous warranty coverage than the RAV4, with the backing of a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the RAV4 has a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

RAV4 vs. Santa Fe: Price

Which crossover SUV costs more: the 2023 RAV4 or the 2023 Santa Fe? The starting price of the fully gas-powered 2023 Santa Fe ranges from $28,200 MSRP for the SE trim up to $42,050 MSRP for the Calligraphy trim. While the official price information is not yet available for the hybrid versions of the 2023 Santa Fe, they will likely cost slightly more than the 2022 versions. The most expensive model for the 2022 Santa Fe is the Plug-In Hybrid Limited trim, which has a starting price of $46,010 MSRP.

For the 2023 RAV4, the official price information was not yet released. However, the 2023 RAV4 will also probably have a slight price increase over the 2022 model. The starting price of the 2022 RAV4 ranges from $26,975 MSRP for the LE trim up to $43,625 MSRP for the RAV4 Prime XSE trim. 

2023 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe: Which crossover SUV is better?

In this 2023 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe crossover SUV comparison, the RAV4 has more advantages than the Santa Fe. This includes advantages for engine output, acceleration, gas mileage, towing, and off-road capabilities. Conversely, the Santa Fe has advantages for warranty coverage and interior space.