2022 Ford Edge vs Hyundai Santa Fe

Over the last few years, the SUVs have witnessed continued popularity leading them towards growth while depicting no signs of slowing down. Customers who are in need of more space for passengers and gear are more likely to skip over the compact options and look to the midsize market. There do exist some large SUVs as well, however, they are so thirsty and hard to maneuver that they are typically avoided unless completely necessary.

For the purpose of expanding the seating capacity, many midsize SUVs try to cram in a third row which is not quite the case for the 2022 Ford Edge and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. Instead, these midsize SUVs focus on providing ample space for up to five which is just one of the things they have in common. On the other hand, there are things that these vehicles do differently. Shoppers can use the following information while deciding if the 2022 Edge or the 2022 Santa Fe is the right choice.

The Powertrain 

The 2022 Ford Edge is a powerful ride, outfitted with an all-wheel drive in every model. Ranging from the base engine - producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque with its eight speed automatic transmission – to the performance packed ST trim equipped turbo 2.7L V6 that pumps out 335 horses paired to a seven-speed automatic delivering 380lb feet of torque - this car has something for everyone who wants power under their foot. 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe provides unbeatable power with five different trim levels to choose from. Upgrade your ride for maximum performance potential: the Limited and Calligraphy trims feature a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine, generating an impressive 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque paired with smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. And all models come standard in front wheel drive, but can be upgraded to sporty All Wheel Drive if desired. 
With its powerful 1.6L turbo four-cylinder and electric motor combination, the Santa Fe Hybrid packs a punch of 226 horsepower - perfect for conscientious buyers looking to save on fuel costs. Plus, with an all-wheel drive system boasting estimated city mpgs up to 36 and highway numbers at 31mpg you'll be able relax behind the wheel knowing your wallet won't take too big of a hit.

The standard engine of the Ford Edge offers an estimated 21mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway. These are pretty solid numbers for the class, especially when the standard all-wheel drive is factored in. The more powerful models get 19mpg city and 25mpg on the highway which is considered to be around average for midsize SUVs with a V6.

As for the Santa Fe, it gets 25mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway with its front-wheel drive and its base engine. Choosing the more powerful engine will mean getting 22mpg city and 28mpg highway. These numbers all drop roughly 1mpg when the Santa Fe is upgraded to an all-wheel drive.

So far, the Ford Edge appears to have a slight advantage however, taking into account the warranties offered leads to even things out. The Edge has three years or 36,000 miles of coverage for its limited warranty, and five years or 60,000 miles for its powertrain warranty, on the other hand, Hyundai has given the Santa Fe, five years or 60,000 miles for its limited warranty, and ten years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain.

Drivability

The Ford Edge provides offers a comfortable ride and satisfying handling and its occupants. Having all-wheel drive as standard ensures the SUV's stability around corners. If buyers opt for the performance-oriented ST, they will give a much sportier ride. On the downside, the stiffer suspension of this model means that more bumps will make it into the cabin.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is very much known for its handling, like the Edge. It has a strong stopping power and a tight turning radius, making it easy to park in tight spaces. At the same time, every Santa Fe suffers from a firm suspension that lets far too many bumps in the road be felt in the cabin which is especially true if buyers opt for a model with larger wheels.

Neither the Edge nor the Santa Fe is at the top of its class when it comes to cargo space. The Edge has 39.2 cubic feet behind its second row, while the Santa Fe has 36.4 while upon folding down the row the Edge goes up to 73.4 cubic feet and the Santa Fe has 72.1. Although it may seem like the Edge wins in the cargo space category, buyers should take into account that its rear row does not fold completely flat, somewhat limiting its practicality.

Like most two-row midsize SUVs, the Edge and Santa Fe both provide plenty of space in either row. The Edge is a class leader when it comes to rear legroom, which may come in handy for those with growing children offering cushy seating in both rows. As for the Santa Fe, it has far more comfortable seats in the front than the back.

The standard infotainment system for the Edge is quite impressive which offers a 12-inch touchscreen, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, and four USB ports. The Santa Fe also comes standard with four USB ports; however, its touchscreen is only 8 inches.

The Santa Fe comes standard with the wireless versions of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, unlike the Edge. Select models of the Hyundai SUV have a 10.25-inch touchscreen; however, they lose the wireless part of the smartphone integration. The Santa Fe also offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Both of these SUVs can be equipped with wireless device charging and a 12-speaker premium sound system.

The dual-zone automatic climate control and a push-button start come standard with the Edge. Neither of these is standard for the Santa Fe, however, they are available on the mid-level trims. Heated front seats are standard on both of the SUVs except their entry-level models.

Safety

The 2022 Edge and the 2022 Santa Fe, both received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which is certainly a piece of good news for the buyers. The similarities also entail both SUVs receiving five stars for frontal and side collisions, along with four stars for rollover accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also tested these vehicles which resulted in bestowing both of them the top score of "Good" in all main categories.

The entry-level Edge possesses an extensive list of standard driver assistance features where it comes including blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, forward-collision mitigation, rear parking sensors, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. It also contains the "My Key" feature allowing parents to limit the volume and speed of the Edge when their teenager is driving.

The new Santa Fe All has very well equipped all of its models regards to safety features as well. It, too, boasts blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The Santa Fe entails pedestrian and cyclist detection as well as a rear-seat alert and driver drowsiness monitoring. The Santa Fe also comes equipped with adaptive cruise control and a safe exit warning which is not true for the Edge.

The Edge possesses the feature of adaptive cruise control as well as lane-centering assist, evasive steering assist, adaptive headlights, and a front-view camera. The Santa Fe, on the other hand, offers front and rear parking sensors as optional features, plus a surround-view camera system. While choosing Santa Fe, drivers can also get a remote parking assist feature along with a highway driving assist feature.

Which Has the Best Value?

The lowest cost for the 2022 Santa Fe is $27,200, making it one of the most affordable midsize SUVs out there, while the top Calligraphy trim level will set buyers back $40,960. Comparatively, the Edge starts at $35,395, which is high for the class due to the standard all-wheel drive, a feature that adds $1,700 to any trim level of the Santa Fe. Those who want the heart-pounding Edge ST model will have to pay $44,195.

While budgeting, planning ahead is an integral part of a new vehicle, making the anticipation of the projected costs of a new SUV important. This guide will be making comparisons among the most affordable versions of these SUVs, which would be the 2022 Edge SE and 2021 Santa FE SE with front-wheel drive. The numbers for the 2022 Santa Fe are not out yet, but they are expected to be very similar.

Owning a new car comes with the unlucky realization that it will lose value over time. However, when comparing Ford's Edge and Hyundai's Santa Fe, buyers may find that they get more bang for their buck out of the pricier Edge. After five years of ownership, owners can expect to take an estimated loss in depreciation close to $23k on the Edge - still significantly less than what would be lost selling off an 18K cheaper Santa Fe. 

With an annual mileage of 15,000, the Edge will cost you a hefty $10K in fuel over five years compared to its counterpart - Santa Fe which is estimated at around $8800. But that isn't all- when it comes to maintenance costs for the same time period, account for far less expenditure on The Edge with just about 35% ($3400) than that required by the Santa Fe (around 47%). So if planning long term savings is your goal and money matters more than any other feature then consider this info before making your decision regarding car purchase. 

Between the Santa Fe and Edge, there is a clear financial winner - with repair costs estimated at nearly three times higher for the latter car! Over time this discrepancy compound further with insurance and financing fees factored in. On average, it'll cost you $0.08 more per mile when driving an Edge compared to its competitor from Hyundai Motors – making those extra luggage bells & whistles on your dream ride not so worth it after all. 

Which is Better?

Deciding on buying the 2022 Ford Edge or the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe can be pretty hard as neither of these SUVs have major flaws, and they both get a lot of things right. However, the deciding factors, in this case, could be the cost and practicality of both vehicles.

The Ford Edge has an edge in providing slightly more space than the Santa Fe along with a standard all-wheel drive and a more powerful standard engine, which helps to justify its higher price tag up to an extent. It also comes equipped with an impressive 12-inch touchscreen. While considering the horsepower, the Edge ST is considerably more exciting than even the upgraded Santa Fe engine.

At the same time, the Santa Fe offers incredible value along with an extensive list of standard safety features, plus excellent fuel economy estimates. The cabin of Santa Fe is super appealing, covering all of the bases when it comes to technology and convenience. The ride quality could be better, but this is something many people will be willing to overlook for the price.

Those who are specifically looking for a standard all-wheel-drive or heart-pounding power should consider the 2022 Edge while buyers who are looking for something more practical and affordable should opt for the 2022 Santa Fe.