2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA vs. 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Subaru Ascent and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe are two popular crossover SUVs. Both vehicles have similar engines and interior designs but differ in many ways. Read on if you want to know more about these cars before buying one!

Design & Style

  • Exterior Design

The Ascent’s exterior design is neither groundbreaking nor altogether unattractive. Its body is slightly longer and taller than the Santa Fe but not as bulky, which leads to a less intimidating look. The Subaru’s front end features narrower headlights and grille, making for an overall sleeker appearance than its competitor. The Ascent also produces an impressive amount of ground clearance due in part to its boxy crossover shape and robust suspension system.

The Santa Fe has a more traditional SUV design that makes it seem more like a vehicle meant for family trips rather than hauling cargo or going off-road (although it can do both). Its front end features bigger headlights with stylish LED daytime running lights beneath them, plus a trapezoidal grille that gives the car an imposing presence on the road (no pun intended). The Santa Fe’s standard 19-inch alloy wheels look better than the optional 20-inches on many other SUVs in its class at this price point.

  • Interior Design

The interior design of the 2022 Subaru Ascent is a bit more interesting than its rival’s. Both vehicles feature many infotainment options, but the Ascent’s instrument cluster is set closer to the driver and features a larger touchscreen display. Hyundai offers two additional USB ports for rear passengers, which could be useful if you have kids or you like to keep your phone charged while you drive.

The cabin feels roomier in both vehicles, with generous head- and legroom up front and ample cargo capacity behind the second row (43 cubic feet in total). Both also offer third-row seating, though they differ slightly regarding legroom: The Santa Fe has 29 inches while the Ascent has 30 inches—enough space for adults but not much else beyond that.

In terms of overall comfort and convenience features, these SUVs are evenly matched: They both have dual-zone climate control systems; heated front seats; power adjustable pedals; voice control; Bluetooth pairing technology; USB ports for media devices and other electronics; keyless entry/startup; push-button start ignition (on some models); dual exhaust mufflers on certain trims (namely all-wheel-drive versions); available panoramic sunroofs with retractable power blinds.

Technology & Safety

There’s a lot to consider regarding the tech you’ll find in either car, so we’re going to go over some of the most important features.

  • The 2022 Subaru Ascent comes standard with a 9-inch infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Bluetooth connectivity for your phone. You can also get an upgraded 10-inch touchscreen if you want GPS navigation or a SiriusXM radio.
  • Hyundai doesn’t have any Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration. Still, they offer their proprietary MirrorLink technology, which lets you use an app on your phone and mirror it onto their screen (similar to how Apple Watch works). If you want GPS navigation or SiriusXM radio built into your infotainment system, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the higher trim levels.

Performance

The 2022 Subaru Ascent and 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The changes made to achieve this are largely mechanical, with the 2021 Subaru Ascent having a larger bore than its 2020 predecessor, while the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe gets a new block that has been tilted at an angle to help reduce vibration and increase fuel economy.

Both vehicles get an eight-speed automatic transmission, but only one can be equipped with all-wheel drive—the 2022 Subaru Ascent. If you’re looking for more power or better fuel economy, we recommend choosing between these two cars based on other factors like interior space and available features.

The Bottom Line

In the end, the 2022 Subaru Ascent is the better car. The 2022 Santa Fe is a fine vehicle, but it’s not as fun to drive or as well-rounded as its Subaru rival.

Ready to Schedule a 2022 Subaru Ascent Test Drive Today?

At Competition Subaru, we offer a wide variety of Subaru models for you to choose from, including the 2022 Subaru Ascent and we are more than happy to arrange for a test drive so that you can experience the stellar features of this vehicle. Call us today to make an appointment or simply pay us a visit at our showroom today!