Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE VS 2013 Infiniti JX Near Scottsdale, AZ

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Santa Fe’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The JX doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Santa Fe and the JX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Santa Fe as a “Top Pick,” a rating only granted to 147 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The JX has not been tested, yet.

The Santa Fe comes with a full 5 year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The JX’s 4 year/60,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Santa Fe 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Infiniti covers the JX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the JX ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Santa Fe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2012 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 9th in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 27th.

The Santa Fe’s 3.3 DOHC V6 produces 25 more horsepower (290 vs. 265) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (252 vs. 248) than the JX’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Fe gets better fuel mileage than the JX:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Santa Fe uses regular unleaded gasoline. The JX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Santa Fe GLS’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the JX’s standard 65 series tires.

The Santa Fe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The JX’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For better maneuverability, the Santa Fe’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the JX’s (36.9 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Hyundai Santa Fe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Infiniti JX.

The Santa Fe is 3.3 inches shorter than the JX, making the Santa Fe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Santa Fe has 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more third row legroom and 2.1 inches more third row hip room than the JX.

The Santa Fe’s cargo area provides more volume than the JX.