There are many stars in the 2020 midsize SUV class, but you could say this year belongs to Hyundai Motor Company. The company’s Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride SUVs have easily stolen the show in 2020. However, these SUVs aren’t the only ones worth considering under the Hyundai Motors umbrella. Some critics favor the elder Hyundai Santa Fe as the best midsize SUV of the year. 

How does the Hyundai Santa Fe outrank the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride?

The 2020 Santa Fe is more compelling than you might think. This Hyundai is a comfortable ride that parents and new teen drivers can enjoy. Because of its relaxed nature and standard tech, U.S. News ranks the Santa Fe over the current Palisade and Telluride models. This ranking is based on reviewers’ research and data of the 2020 Santa Fe and past model years. The organization gave the Santa Fe an 8.5 out of 10, with the Telluride and Palisade not too far behind. 

“The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe’s #1 ranking is based on its score within the Midsize SUVs category. It was the winner of our 2020 Best 2-Row SUV for the Money award and the winner of our 2020 Best New Cars for Teens award and a finalist for our 2020 Best 2-Row SUV for Families award.”

U.S. News

U.S. News considers the Santa Fe as one of the best cars for the money because of the vehicle’s blend of high-quality and frugalness. The base Santa Fe starts at $26,275, and its fuel economy is also a highpoint. Furthermore, this Hyundai is affordable to own.  

Could the Santa Fe be right for you? 

Unlike the Palisade and Telluride, the Santa Fe offers two engine options. Base models come with a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine is adequate for your everyday drives, but U.S. News prefers the Santa Fe’s available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 235-hp. The turbo-four is notably quicker than the base engine. 

On the inside, the Santa Fe pleases with its quiet cabin, coziness, and in-car tech. The Santa Fe is spacious and accommodating, but it’s only available as a two-row model; Hyundai sunsetted the bigger Santa Fe XL to make way for the Palisade. That said, if you can sacrifice a third-row seat, the Santa Fe is still a worthy family-friendly vehicle. 

The Santa Fe comes with modern in-car gadgets, including a sharp 7-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You’ll also appreciate the Santa Fe’s advanced safety features, including pedestrian detection and driver drowsiness monitoring; many others are available. 

Reasons to choose the Palisade or the Telluride 

The Santa Fe is a well-rounded choice. However, if you want more space, it makes sense to consider the Palisade and Telluride, which are three-row SUVs. Both models feature the same 291-hp, 3.8-liter V6 engine. These larger SUVs don’t sacrifice style and offer plenty of comfort and luxurious amenities.