Battle of the SUVs: The 2020 Subaru Forester vs. 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

Are you ready to buy a new SUV in Wichita? Have you outgrown your current sedan? Where do you even begin looking? The current SUV auto forecast is ripe with new and improved models that continuously improve. Two notable SUVs are the Subaru Forester and the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Comparing two different SUVs that you consider to be good contenders can be a bit of a struggle to fit into a busy life or unravel if you've never done it before. So, we've done some of the work for you. Read on to see which SUV emerges on top!

Comparing the Interior Features

The interior of a vehicle greatly determines the overall comfort and convenience for passengers. Due to its size, the Hyundai Santa Fe undoubtedly offers more head space and leg room than its Subaru counterpart. However, Subaru enthusiasts shouldn't be discouraged. The Forester has a substantially larger space for cargo to pack in your gear, which increases when the rear seat is folded down.

Interior options are abundant in the Subaru Forester, which is entirely practical and versatile. With enough room for car seats to fit comfortably and expansive cargo area, the Subaru Forester is a great option for a family vacation and road trips. The Santa Fe, on the other hand, is lacking in stowing area and cargo space.

Exterior Design

Despite their common category as an SUV, the Subaru Forester and Hyundai Santa Fe could not be more different in appearance. While the Hyundai Santa Fe plays into a generic rounded look, the Subaru Forester inhibits a boxier structure with strong accent lines. The design of the Subaru Forester reduces the size and number of blind spots by increasing visibility opportunities.

Consumers should also take the number of trim levels into consideration, as these present opportunities for individualization. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers three different trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited. Conversely, the Subaru Forester boasts five different trim level offerings: base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring.

Powertrain

A vehicle's powertrain determines responsiveness, fuel efficiency, and longevity, so exploring the best powertrain options is important in selecting a new SUV. All five of the Subaru Forester's five trim levels utilize the same engine setup: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission and AWD. In comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a turbo upgrade option. The Santa Fe is available with AWD, whereas the same feature is standard on across all Forester trims.

Warranty

Both the Subaru Forester and Hyundai Santa Fe both come from manufacturers that are known for providing exception warranties in addition to reliable vehicles with incredible longevity. The Subaru Forester comes with a commendable basic warranty of three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty of five years or 60,000 miles. While this warranty is outstanding, the Hyundai Santa Fe gets the edge with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Which One is the Better Option?

Each of these two SUVs offers great advantages and unmatched reliability. While the Hyundai Santa Fe offers more upgrade options, the Subaru Forester is the all-around winner. When it comes to the value for fuel economy, performance and interior amenities, the Subaru Forester is the ultimate champion. If you are interested in seeing what the Subaru Forester has to offer you, contact Subaru of Wichita today.