2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The Ultimate SUV Showdown: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. 2024 Land Rover Defender

Are you an off-road enthusiast in the market for a robust SUV capable of tackling tough terrain? Then you’ll probably want to check out the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe or 2024 Land Rover Defender for your next vehicle purchase. Both vehicles tick all the boxes for off-roading, with potent power trains, extensive gear to handle rough ground, and interior comfort for you and your passengers. Hiley Hyundai in Fort Worth would like to invite you to take a deep dive into a comparison of these two vehicles’ top features to help inform your final decision.

Off-Road Capability and Performance

The Santa Fe has become a lot more attractive for off-roaders for the 2024 model year. A complete redesign has expanded its cargo area and given it a more outdoorsy feel. But before we get to that, we should spend some time discussing its turbocharged inline-four engine capable of generating 277 horsepower. This 2.5-liter engine is paired with front-wheel drive in the standard setup, but you’ll probably want to step up to all-wheel drive if you plan on taking your ride off the tarmac regularly. The Defender has a long and illustrious reputation as a powerful off-roader aimed at the premium SUV market. All models have four-wheel drive, a two-speed case transfer, and hill descent control. You can choose from four engine options in the Defender. The first is a turbocharged four-cylinder unit with 296 horsepower. You can step up to a turbocharged six-cylinder engine capable of 395 horsepower, or two supercharged V-8s. The first manages an impressive 493 horsepower, while the second goes even further with 518 horsepower. The Defender can tow a maximum of 8,200 pounds, enough to handle a big trailer for your camping adventures. If you opt for the Santa Fe, you’ll have a towing limit of 4,500 pounds, which means you can pull a modest camper or a boat to the lake. If fuel economy is a major consideration for you, the Santa Fe has a clear advantage. The Defender achieves a maximum of 22 mpg on the highway, whereas the Santa Fe can do 29 mpg at highway speeds.

Interior Comfort and Design

Let’s start with the brand new cabin in the Santa Fe. Hyundai has added a third row for 2024, helping to boost passenger capacity to seven people. All rows can accommodate adult passengers, though you may want to keep the third row for kids on longer trips. In terms of design, the Santa Fe takes a lot of inspiration from the Defender, with rugged square features and big storage compartments. With a full load of passengers, you’ll have over 14 cubic feet of storage at the rear, which is enough for two or three cases of luggage for a weekend trip. With the third row folded down, you’ll have over 40 cubic feet of space. The Defender’s cabin is built with off-roading in mind, including durable materials and a rugged appearance. Various configuration options allow you to seat between five and eight passengers across two or three rows. If you choose the two-door Defender, you’ll have about 15 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and 58 cubic feet with the rear row down. The largest three-row model has 15 cubic feet of storage at the rear and about 35 cubic feet if you fold down the third row.

Technology and Connectivity

The Santa Fe offers two 12.3-inch screens on the dash: one for your infotainment settings and the other as a gauge cluster. The big screens are accompanied by user-friendly controls that make key entertainment features easy to access. You can add a double wireless charging pad that’s capable of charging two phones at once. In the Defender, you’ll have an 11.4-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster. Both vehicles offer smart phone compatibility and USB ports, and BlueTooth. The Defender has a standard navigation system and numerous optional add-ons. A cool feature in the Santa Fe is a UV-C compartment in the dash for sterilizing germs on phones or wallets.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

The Santa Fe stands out for a long list of standard driver assistance features aimed at keeping you safe. It covers forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. As for the defender, it offers many of the same features, as well as a surround-view parking camera and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Pricing, Value, and Ownership Costs

The 2024 Santa Fe offers a much more affordable price tag than the Defender, even though it can’t quite boast all the top capabilities of the Land Rover. To give just one example, the Santa Fe XRT trim, which is its most off-road capable setup, has an MSRP of $41,995. By contrast, the base two-row Defender only gets started at $56,400 and you’ll have to spend well over $60,000 to get a three-row Defender. If this is in your price range, there’s no denying that the Defender has lots to offer, but the Santa Fe is a strong alternative for buyers working with a more modest budget. The Santa Fe is available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The SEL trim adds upscale elements like heated front seats and a WiFi hotspot. The Defender is available in six trims: S, X-Dynamic SE, X, V8, V8 Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Note that not all trims are available with all body styles. The X trim pushes $100,000 and includes an adaptive air suspension for off-roading treks.

Test Drive a New 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe at Hiley Hyundai in Fort Worth Today

As you can see, both the Santa Fe and Defender have many positive features to recommend them. The Defender is one of the most capable serious off-roaders that luxury car buyers will find on the market, combining endurance with an upscale interior. If you’re looking for a more versatile and affordable vehicle that can still hold its own off-road, the Santa Fe should be at the top of your list. If you’d like to arrange a test drive or learn more about Hyundai financing options, don’t hesitate to contact us today at Hiley Hyundai in Fort Worth.