2021 Honda CR-V vs. 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe at Spring Honda in Cranbrook, BC

Capable enough to handle anything the road (or off-road) throws your way, with the modern amenities, luxury, and fuel efficiency of a car, the compact SUV is the perfect vehicle for those splitting their time between urban environments and the mountains—namely, residents of Cranbrook, BC. With no shortage of compact SUV options on the market, let’s take a look at how the 2021 Honda CR-V stacks up against competition like the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Design & Features

Honda CR-V Design

Everything about the 2021 Honda CR-V is thoughtfully designed, to underscore its exceptional versatility. From an exterior, combining motorsport-inspired lines and athleticism, to other smart features like the standard LED lighting and hands-free power liftgate, the 2021 CR-V is a study in utility. Available features like a one-touch power moonroof simply add to all that the CR-V brings to the table.

 

Hyundai Santa Fe Design

Slightly longer than the CR-V, in both overall length and wheelbase, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe adds a little bit more size into the mix—maybe not necessarily the first thing you’re looking for in a “compact” SUV. Available heated rear seats are a nice touch for keeping your passengers happy, but that’s of little comfort when your larger SUV has less cargo capacity with both the rear seats up or down. While the Santa Fe isn’t shy on amenities, like a heated steering wheel (also available on the CR-V), it falls behind when it comes to utility—the true measure of an SUV.

 

Performance & Capability

When comparing the performance of these two compact SUVs, we’ll focus on the base engine offerings. The Santa Fe features a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder capable of producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, while the sole engine offered in the CR-V—a 1.5-litre, turbocharged 4-cylinder—offers an incredibly similar 190 horses and 179 lb-ft of torque. It’s a close comparison, but the smaller turbocharged engine is a definite winner when it comes to efficiency. Speaking of which, Honda’s CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) offers a smoother drive and better fuel economy than the 8-speed automatic transmission found in the Hyundai Santa Fe. Both of these SUVs come with AWD standard, while Honda’s Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control system is easily the more intuitive of the two.

Safety

Honda CR-V Safety

Reliability has always been a strong suit for Honda, and the 2021 CR-V continues this proud tradition. Honda Sensing Technology is a suite of advanced safety features, aiding the driver in every situation, with Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Hill Start Assist, and Road Departure Mitigation among the standard features found in the CR-V. Combine that with the CR-V’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, and the design of this Honda is both safe and smart in equal measures.

Hyundai Santa Fe Safety

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a similar range of safety features, like Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert standard, however you’ll need to pay extra to add on enough features to match that of the CR-V.

Honda CR-V vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Verdict

While they’re similar in size and power, the 2021 Honda CR-V leaves competition like the Hyundai Santa Fe in the dust when it comes to both safety and utility, two major factors to consider when purchasing an SUV. Starting at $29,970, the 2021 CR-V constitutes the whole package, while the Santa Fe doesn’t offer as much overall capability despite its starting price of $31,399.

Pardon the pun, but at Spring Honda we’d spring for the extra peace of mind every time. Give us a call, or contact us via the form below to book a test drive in the 2021 Honda CR-V today, and we’re confident that you’ll love the exceptional versatility of the CR-V as much as we do.

Contact Us






View Disclaimer