2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a symbol of luxury and rugged capability. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had been embraced by celebrities and luxury car enthusiasts alike. The G-Class offered a unique blend of retro styling and modern luxury, with a hand-built construction in Graz, Austria. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated interior with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system and a matching virtual instrument panel, allowing for a customizable and immersive driving experience. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class remained a capable off-road vehicle, with a reputation for being a status symbol among the elite.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim offered a more practical and family-friendly design. While the XRT treatment added some rugged visual elements, it lacked the off-road enhancements that would make it a true adventure vehicle. The Santa Fe's interior was thoughtfully designed, with stain-resistant fabric and a comfortable eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Rear-seat accommodations were spacious, making it an excellent choice for families. The Santa Fe's exterior design was understated, with Portofino Gray paint and black cloth interior, offering little visual contrast. Overall, the Santa Fe XRT was a well-rounded SUV with a focus on comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, with the G550 model featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds, impressive for a vehicle weighing 5,551 pounds. The G-Class offered a nine-speed automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive, and various driving modes, including "G-mode" for off-roading. The G63 variant took performance to another level with 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Despite its size, the G-Class handled well on and off-road, with a turning circle of 44.6 feet and a ground clearance of 9.5 inches. However, its fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the G550.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not as powerful as the G-Class, the Santa Fe's engine was adequate for everyday driving, offering smooth acceleration and a refined sound. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided seamless gear changes, and the SUV featured multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow. The Santa Fe's fuel economy was more favorable, with an average of 22.3 mpg during testing and an EPA rating of 24 mpg. For those seeking more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a turbocharged engine with 281 horsepower. The Santa Fe's ride quality was commendable, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a spacious and luxurious interior, with a cargo capacity of 38.1 cubic feet behind the third row and 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The G550 had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The front cabin was roomy, with comfortable seats and ample storage options. The tall roofline provided excellent headroom, and the standard sunroof added to the airy feel. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available in expensive packages. The G-Class also lacked hands-free access for the tailgate, a feature found in lower-tier Mercedes models.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT excelled in practicality, with a dual-zone automatic climate control system and rear air conditioning vents for passenger comfort. The interior featured stain-resistant fabric and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot room, making it suitable for families. The Santa Fe's cargo space was 36.4 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was a convenient feature, though it occasionally opened unintentionally. Overall, the Santa Fe provided ample storage and comfort for everyday use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class boasted impressive technology, with twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These screens were customizable, allowing drivers to tailor the layout and content to their preferences. The Burmester Surround Sound system enhanced the audio experience, while the COMAND system offered intuitive control through unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel. The G-Class included standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and WiFi, though wireless device charging was absent. Mercedes me connect services were available for three years, providing additional convenience and assistance.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services with a three-year subscription. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. While the XRT trim lacked the upgraded infotainment system available in higher trims, it offered digital key technology for Android devices and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. The Santa Fe's technology package was practical and easy to use, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class prioritized safety with its rugged body-on-frame construction and standard safety systems. These included a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the active lane-keeping assist could be intrusive, requiring drivers to understand its operation fully. The G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for crash-worthiness.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance systems. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Santa Fe also featured Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. Bluelink added safety features like automatic emergency assistance and programmable alerts. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.