3 Reasons a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Is a Better Choice Than a BMW X3
If you’re looking for a crossover, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has what you need. We just spent a week in the top-trim Calligraphy model and were impressed with how luxurious it felt. It also drove very smoothly and provided more than enough power for our daily errands. And although it competes with the likes of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Nissan Rogue, we thought it would be interesting to compare it to a crossover from the class above.
As such, we stacked the Hyundai Santa Fe’s stats next to the 2023 BMW X3’s and were surprised at how much of a value it posed in comparison. Here are three reasons why the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy could be a better choice over a luxury crossover like the BMW X3.
1. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy is cheaper than the BMW X3
When comparing these two crossovers, the first win for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy is an easy one – it’s cheaper. Our test car for a week carried an MSRP of $45,255, including the $1,295 destination charge. By comparison, the base 2023 BMW X3 model costs $46,200, and if you want all of the bells and whistles, you can easily spend upwards of $60,000 when it’s all said and done.
2. The Hyundai Santa Fe has similar features to the BMW X3
Would you believe that the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has more power than the standard BMW X3? It does. As the highest trim level, the Santa Fe Calligraphy comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that puts out 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, the BMW X3 carries a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that puts out 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Of course, you can always opt for the X3 M40i or the X3 M, which have a lot more power, but they also cost nearly twice as much. Power outputs aside, the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy has many of the same features as the X3. Some of the most notable similarities include the following:
- An all-wheel drivetrain
- Power liftgate
- A 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system
- A premium audio system
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Remote start
- Nappa leather seats
- A surround-view monitor
The Hyundai Santa Fe even has a Smart Park feature that allows for autonomous parking in tight spots.
3. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is just as safe as the 2023 BMW X3
Are you worried about safety? If so, you can rest assured that the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA in addition to a Top Safety Pick + award from the IIHS. The 2023 BMW X3 won the same awards, and both cars carry similar safety equipment. Some of those safety features include:
- Forward collision avoidance assist
- Blind-spot alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver attention warning
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. BMW X3: Which crossover is the better pick?
If you’re looking for the best value in a crossover, it’s clear that the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy won’t steer you wrong. It’s cheaper than the BMW X3, has similar features, and is just as safe. Ultimately, it really depends on which car you would prefer – one with everything you need or one with a fancy badge. It’s up to you, but we can highly recommend the Santa Fe any day of the week.
