These two solid all-wheel-drive crossovers offer large discounts

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When the Unhaggle deals get hot, Graeme Fletcher looks at the combined discounts, resale value, and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars.

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Here, we look at two crossovers with all-wheel-drive: the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Preferred and 2021 Kia Sportage EX S.

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These two solid all-wheel-drive crossovers offer large discounts Back to video

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Preferred 2.4 AWD

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $35,349
Manufacturer Incentive: $3,000
Unhaggle Savings: $250
Total Savings: $3,250
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,055
Total Before Tax: $34,154

The Hyundai Santa Fe did not change from the previous year, and the redesigned 2021 model is already sitting on dealer lots. If having the latest is not as important as the size of the deal, then the 2020 model is somewhat of a steal. The featured Preferred has everything from dual-zone auto climate control and a heated eight-way power driver’s seat, to a heated steering wheel and seven-inch infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The nit is the screen is small by today’s standards.

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The rear seat is comfortable, with lots of legroom and enough width for three adults, albeit cozy ones. Likewise, there’s plenty of cargo space — 1,016 litres with the 60/40-split/folding seats up; and 2,019 litres when folded.

The Santa Fe Preferred arrives with the Hyundai SmartSense suite of safety aids. The list includes forward collision assist with auto braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, drowsy-driver alert, and automatic high-beams. That is a lot of content, even by the standards set for a higher class of drive.

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The Santa Fe Preferred is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder that makes 185 horsepower and 178 lb-feet of torque, and which drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive system changes its operating strategy according to the drive mode selected. It is primarily a front-driver in Smart mode, but sends 50 per cent of power rearward for more of the time in Sport. It’s the best mode, as it gives the Santa Fe a more purposeful drive.

Santa Fe runs zero to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; it has a posted average fuel economy of 10.1 L/100 km;  and offers a towing capacity of 907 kg. Its ride quality is good without hurting the handling. Road ripples are dealt with in stride, yet a fast run down a looping on-ramp sees the suspension limit body roll to a few degrees. This, a poised steering feel, and that all-wheel-drive system give the Santa Fe a substantial driving feel.

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The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Preferred 2.4 AWD arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $3,250, and a pre-tax price of $34,154.

2021 Kia Sportage EX S AWD

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $32,695
Manufacturer Incentive: $2,750
Unhaggle Savings: $250
Total Savings: $3,000
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,980
Total Before Tax: $31,675

After a mild stylistic refresh last year, the Kia Sportage carries over for 2021. The cabin is, by segment standards, rich with above-average materials, and good fit-and-finish along with a host of  amenities. The featured EX S enjoys everything from a power panoramic moonroof, heated power driver’s seat, and heated steering wheel to an eight-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Even though it is nearing the end of its run, having been introduced in 2017, the 2021 Sportage remains competitive.

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Move rearward and the Sportage has surprising rear seat space for a compact ride — two six-footers will find enough head- and legroom. The cargo capacity rates 868 litres with the seats upright, and 1,703 litres with the 60/40-split/folding seats folded flat. Safety-wise, the featured EX S arrives with forward collision assist with auto braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist.

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The Sportage EX S is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder that makes 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. It drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, but it really needs eight speeds. The Dynamax Intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which was designed in conjunction with Magna, is a good one. It proactively controls the torque distribution to provide better traction during acceleration and cornering. As a result, the Sportage hooks up without the wheel-spin that’s common in rival crossovers that work with a reactive system. There’s also a lock mode for low-traction situations, and it too is smart. It automatically unlocks and reverts to normal operation at speeds over 30 km/h to maintain the handling.

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The Sportage EX S runs to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds; it has a posted average fuel economy of 10.0 L/100 km, and a towing capacity of 907 kg. Its suspension takes a balanced approach — it limits body roll through a corner without feeling harsh over rough pavement. Throw in the P225/55R18 tires and sorted steering setup, and it responds quickly to input, which gives it a sportier driving feel than many in the segment.

The 2021 Kia Sportage EX S All Wheel Drive arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $3,000, and a pre-tax sticker of $31,793.

Transport Canada does not list any recalls for these two crossovers. The U.S. Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Preferred “Good” ratings in all crash tests, and “Superior” for front-crash prevention, but “Marginal” for headlight performance. The 2021 Kia Sportage EX S gets the same ratings for crash tests and front-crash protection, but “Poor” for headlight performance. Ironically, the Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate, Sportage EX Premium S, and Sportage SX are all Top Safety Picks, and in each case it is the better LED headlights that tip the scale.

The projected resale value of these two in 2024, after being driven an average of 20,000 kilometres per year, is $16,750 for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Preferred and $17,700 for the 2021 Kia Sportage EX S.