Suv Showdown: Hyundai Santa Fe Vs Dodge Journey – Which One Is The Ultimate Family Hauler?

What To Know

  • The Hyundai Santa Fe comes equipped with a wide range of features, including a user-friendly infotainment system with a touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, a premium audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.
  • The Dodge Journey offers a more basic set of features, with a smaller touchscreen display, limited smartphone integration options, and a less comprehensive suite of safety features.
  • After a thorough comparison of the Hyundai Santa Fe vs Dodge Journey, it is evident that the Santa Fe emerges as the superior….

Are you in the market for a midsize SUV that offers comfort, versatility, and a range of features? The Hyundai Santa Fe and Dodge Journey are two popular options, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this comprehensive guide, we will compare the Hyundai Santa Fe vs Dodge Journey, evaluating their performance, features, interior, safety, fuel efficiency, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.

Performance and Handling

The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a choice of two powerful engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 235 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and responsive shifting. The Santa Fe’s all-wheel-drive system ensures excellent traction and stability in various road conditions.

On the other hand, the Dodge Journey is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 172 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission handles the power delivery. While the Journey offers adequate acceleration for everyday driving, it may feel underpowered when fully loaded or tackling steep inclines. The Journey’s all-wheel-drive system is also less advanced compared to the Santa Fe’s, resulting in reduced off-road capabilities.

Features and Technology

The Hyundai Santa Fe comes equipped with a wide range of features, including a user-friendly infotainment system with a touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, a premium audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. It also offers advanced safety features such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

The Dodge Journey offers a more basic set of features, with a smaller touchscreen display, limited smartphone integration options, and a less comprehensive suite of safety features. However, it does provide some desirable features such as a rearview camera, a power liftgate, and a remote start system.

Interior and Comfort

The Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a spacious and well-appointed interior with comfortable seating for up to seven passengers. The cabin is adorned with high-quality materials and features thoughtful touches like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ambient lighting. The Santa Fe also offers ample cargo space, making it ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Dodge Journey offers a more utilitarian interior with less attention to detail. The seats are less supportive, and the cabin materials feel less premium. The Journey provides decent cargo space, but it falls short of the Santa Fe‘s generous capacity.

Safety

The Hyundai Santa Fe has earned impressive safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The Dodge Journey has also received good safety ratings, but its standard safety features are less comprehensive compared to the Santa Fe. It lacks some advanced safety technologies that are available in the Santa Fe, such as lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.

Fuel Efficiency

The Hyundai Santa Fe offers better fuel efficiency than the Dodge Journey. With its 2.5-liter engine, the Santa Fe achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivers 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The Dodge Journey, with its 2.4-liter engine, manages only 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. This difference in fuel efficiency can result in significant savings in the long run.

Value for Money

The Hyundai Santa Fe offers excellent value for money, considering its impressive performance, extensive features, comfortable interior, and strong safety ratings. It delivers a well-rounded package that meets the needs of families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Dodge Journey, while more affordable than the Santa Fe, offers a less comprehensive set of features, a less refined interior, and lower fuel efficiency. It may be a suitable option for those seeking a budget-friendly SUV, but it falls short in terms of overall value.

Summary

After a thorough comparison of the Hyundai Santa Fe vs Dodge Journey, it is evident that the Santa Fe emerges as the superior choice. It offers a more powerful and efficient powertrain, a more comfortable and spacious interior, a more comprehensive suite of features and safety technologies, and better fuel economy. While the Dodge Journey is more affordable, it compromises on several key aspects, making it less desirable in the long run. Therefore, the Hyundai Santa Fe is the clear winner in this comparison, providing a compelling combination of performance, comfort, features, and safety at a competitive price.

Q: Which SUV has better fuel efficiency, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Dodge Journey?

A: The Hyundai Santa Fe has better fuel efficiency than the Dodge Journey. The Santa Fe achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with its 2.5-liter engine, while the Journey manages only 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with its 2.4-liter engine.

Q: Does the Dodge Journey offer all-wheel drive?

A: Yes, the Dodge Journey offers an all-wheel-drive system, but it is less advanced compared to the Hyundai Santa Fe‘s all-wheel-drive system. The Santa Fe’s system provides better traction and stability in various road conditions.

Q: Which SUV has a more spacious and comfortable interior, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Dodge Journey?

A: The Hyundai Santa Fe has a more spacious and comfortable interior than the Dodge Journey. It offers more legroom, headroom, and cargo space. The Santa Fe’s seats are also more supportive and provide better comfort on long journeys.