2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Test Drive Review: A Family SUV With Futuristic Looks

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a three-row SUV that has undergone various modifications because it went on sale right here roughly 24 years in the past. This fifth technology of Hyundai’s household hauler reveals off downright dramatic modifications from simply final 12 months – neglect about what it appeared like firstly. The styling is so totally different that should you parked this 12 months’s Santa Fe subsequent to final 12 months’s mannequin, you’ll by no means guess it was the identical automobile. Not solely is it bodily bigger, however the design is huge and daring and excessive: There’s nothing mild-mannered about this Santa Fe and that’s an excellent factor.

Along with its exterior styling, the Santa Fe reveals off a brand new inside that features three rows of seating, up to date applied sciences, and all of the options households want, together with cupholders galore. There’s additionally a alternative of fuel or hybrid engines, each of which get stable gasoline financial system that will help you follow your finances. Hyundai actually went all out with this mannequin to make it a unbelievable household automobile, so we put it via its paces over the course of per week to see how good it actually is.

Exterior: This SUV Introduced To You By The Letter H

Designers prefer to have a theme, and for the Santa Fe, that theme is the letter H. It’s in every single place. The taillights are formed like an H and the identical is true of the headlamps. These headlamps additionally get a lightbar that runs alongside the hood to create one other H. Even the design of the entrance fascia itself resembles the letter H. They may dedicate a complete episode of Sesame Road to this factor, and we’re not complaining. It makes the Santa Fe distinctive.

This SUV additionally grew this 12 months, getting 1.4 inches taller and 1.8 inches longer. Mixed with its boxy design, the Santa Fe seems a lot greater it doesn’t matter what the numbers say. That styling might need you pondering this can be a full-size SUV, however it’s a mid-size that’s smaller than the Palisade, which has a complete size of 196.1 inches.

There’s an fascinating exterior function tucked into the C-pillar of the Santa Fe, which we have image above. It is alleged to make reaching the roof simpler, however we discovered it hit and miss. What seems like simply the same old black trim hides a handhold that pops open whenever you press it evenly. The thought is which you could step up onto the tire or door sill and simply attain cargo stowed on the roof. That tire is excessive, so until you have got lengthy legs, it’s a tricky feat and grabbing the roof rail with each palms is simpler. In the event you stand on the door sill, it’s a bit too far to the appropriate to tug up, once more until you’re tall. It’s a nifty concept, however it’s not going to work effectively for everybody.

Get Prepared To Rumble With the New XRT Trim

This Santa Fe is a good street tripper, however what if you wish to do one thing slightly extra off-road? Hyundai has you coated with the brand new XRT trim. It has customary all-wheel drive with an additional 1.3 inches of floor clearance for dealing with uneven surfaces, together with 30-inch all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. There’s a better tow ranking of as much as 4,500 kilos versus the same old 3,500 kilos when correctly outfitted, and it will get black and darkish chrome exterior trim, together with black roof rails, so it seems the half.

Seating: Your Solely Choice Is Three Rows

The Santa Fe has been accessible in numerous seating configurations through the years, which is complicated. There was as soon as a Santa Fe Sport with solely two rows and a Santa Fe XL with solely three rows, however now, it’s simply the Santa Fe, and it’s a three-row SUV. These three rows get extra room now, because of a wheelbase that’s two inches longer. Obtainable options embrace an eight-way energy driver’s seat with four-way lumbar, a six-way energy entrance passenger seat, heated and ventilated entrance seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. You’re going to be comfy.

In the event you go for a second-row bench seat, then there’s seating for seven, and with the non-compulsory captain’s chairs, that goes down to 6. The plus aspect to dropping the additional seat is improved consolation. Adults will likely be completely completely happy for longer street journeys within the captain’s chairs and so will older children. The third row, effectively, that’s at all times the penalty field for adults, however they’re not horrible. Although very flat, they’re vast sufficient for adults with loads of headroom and satisfactory legroom. There are additionally twin cupholders on both sides, USB-C charging ports, and accessible air vents. This makes the third row superb for adults on brief journeys however maintain it to the children for something lengthy.

Hyundai additionally gave the Santa Fe one thing they name the motive force’s leisure seat that turns that seat right into a La-Z-Boy recliner – and it’s good. This accessible function operates solely when the automobile shouldn’t be in movement, deploying a leg relaxation and tilting method again for simple napping. It’s excellent for a fast refresh on a street journey, however mother and father are going to adore it for day by day. The numerous hours spent ready for teenagers to get out of band apply, end their soccer recreation, come out from dance class, or no matter, all turn into the proper alternative for a nap.

Inside: Small Particulars That Make All The Distinction

The letter H will need to have paid huge bucks for this sponsorship as a result of it’s in every single place once more. The sample on the seatbacks incorporates an H that’s delicate till you’re taking an excellent look. On the backs of these seats, there are two little hooks for issues like groceries, a handbag, or faculty backpacks. Additionally they incorporate an H into the design. We prefer it for being totally different from what’s in each different SUV, even people who come from Hyundai.

Relying on the trim you select, supplies fluctuate from material to Nappa leather-based within the high Calligraphy trim, which was what we drove. It’s stunning, and mixed with the suede headliner, makes the Santa Fe feel and appear extra premium. Open-pore wooden adorned the dashboard and the door panels for a further contact of luxurious.

Infotainment: A Large Display screen And Improbable Wi-fi Charging

As is the going development lately, the Santa Fe has a single show that homes each the accessible 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. It curves barely towards the motive force whereas nonetheless being inside simple attain of the passenger. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto maintain you related with two USB-C charging ports customary for each the primary and second row. The highest Calligraphy trim provides two extra for the third row.

There’s additionally accessible wi-fi charging relying on the trim and the design is one other a kind of small particulars that makes a giant distinction. Automakers do these all types of the way, they usually don’t at all times work. Generally they let your telephone slide an excessive amount of, in order that they lose their connection and cease charging. Generally they’re so insecure {that a} sharp flip sends them flying off the middle console to land underfoot, which is annoying and harmful.

Within the Santa Fe, the twin wi-fi charging pads securely maintain telephones flat on the middle console, in order that they don’t slide round. In case your telephone in some way does handle to slip free, in all probability since you merely didn’t set it down proper within the first place, the charging pads are recessed barely so it is impossible your telephone will find yourself within the footwells.

One other little bit of tech present in choose trims is the UV-C sanitizer compartment. It’s situated on the passenger aspect above the common glove field. Merely pop it open and place your keys or telephone or no matter germy factor you select onto the rubberized floor. Push a button on the middle console and a UV-C mild prompts for a 10-minute cycle to sanitize your stuff. You may nonetheless use it for storage should you select, however should you’re a germophobe or just wish to make sure that issues are germ-free, you’ll discover this a pleasant function.

Cargo: A Large Liftgate With Room For All the things

The Santa Fe has a large liftgate. It seems big when it’s closed and even greater when it swings open to disclose the inside. It supplies an incredible little roof if it’s raining and also you’re attempting to handle groceries. The opening measures 30 inches excessive and 44.5 inches throughout, which makes it best for dealing with objects far bigger than a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.

Whether or not it is provides for a weekend venture, every little thing you want for per week of tenting, or the dresser you promised your buddy you’d assist him transfer, there’s a big quantity of cargo room within the Santa Fe. Reap the benefits of 14.6 cubic toes behind the third row, 40.5 cubic toes behind the second row, and 79.6 cubic toes behind the primary row. Commonplace towing is 3,500 kilos with the XRT getting a bump to 4,500 kilos.

The great people at Hyundai meant this to be a automobile that may double as a camper. With the primary and second rows folded, you may match an air mattress again there as an alternative of getting to pitch a tent. It’s a very versatile automobile regardless of how you propose to make use of all that cargo room.

Efficiency: Select From Fuel or Hybrid Engines

The Santa Fe is accessible with two engine choices. There’s a alternative of 5 trims with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that delivers 277 horsepower with 311 lb-ft of torque. That is paired to an eight-speed automated transmission. It will get an EPA-estimated 20/29/24 mpg on the town/freeway/mixed cycles with front-wheel drive, or 20/28/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. Solely the XRT is available in decrease with 19/26/22 mpg.

Three hybrid trims are provided with a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that delivers 231 internet system horsepower with 271 mixed system torque. That is paired to a six-speed automated transmission. It will get an EPA-estimated 36/35/36 mpg (FWD) or 35/34/34 mpg (AWD).

There’s a reasonably vital energy distinction between the fuel and hybrid engines, making the fuel choice a extra interesting alternative for many who put a precedence on efficiency. That does, nevertheless, come at a sacrifice in gasoline financial system. That is very true of the XRT, which has customary all-wheel drive and will get the bottom gasoline financial system of the lot.

Drive Impressions: Enjoyable To Drive, However Not Sporty

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a big SUV, so unsurprisingly, it’s not at its finest on winding nation roads. Those that desire a extra sporty choice ought to take the Mazda CX-90 out for a check drive. Nonetheless, it fared higher than common in that state of affairs with out intrusive physique roll. The place it excels, nevertheless, is on the freeway the place it’s quiet, responsive, and simple to drive.

We spent our time within the high Calligraphy trim with the fuel engine and located loads of energy to maneuver the Santa Fe’s bulk. It received on top of things simply and dealt with effectively, with extra relaxed steering that’s simple on the motive force for much less tiring street journeys. Acceleration was robust, but additionally quiet. Nobody desires a loud engine that might wake snoozing children. It is a household automobile, so it must be amenable to naps. The Santa Fe’s engine is notably quiet with minimal street and wind noise, too.

Shifts are clean, even beneath laborious acceleration, once more letting passengers calm down somewhat than jolting anybody awake. Our one gripe continues to be the gear shifter placement. It’s on a stalk on the appropriate aspect of the steering column, however it’s largely hidden by the wheel. To see which gear you’re in, it’s important to lean a bit out to the aspect, which is considerably awkward.

Through the first drive of this automobile, we had the chance to take the XRT trim off-road and wished to say that have right here. Though you’re not going to sort out the form of terrain a Jeep Wrangler can deal with, this trim is surprisingly succesful. Free rocks, uneven dust trails, and steep inclines and descents have been all simply managed.

Pricing and Verdict: A lot Of Decisions Let You Get The Proper Options For The Proper Value

There are 5 Santa Fe trims, all of which can be found with a fuel engine and three which are provided as a hybrid. There’s additionally a alternative of front-wheel or all-wheel drive for all of these trims besides the all-wheel drive solely XRT. This makes it simple to discover a model of the Santa Fe that has the options you need at a worth you may handle.

That places the vary of pricing as little as $33,950 and as excessive as $48,800, excluding $1,415 vacation spot. All of it is determined by simply how a lot you need on the options entrance. The bottom SE is extra modest although nonetheless enticing, whereas the Calligraphy provides consolation and comfort options. You may get the fundamentals regardless of which you select, so it is all a matter of what your finances permits.

The 2024 Santa Fe is a good alternative for households. It has the room to deal with individuals and cargo together with a spread of lovely interiors. It has an environment friendly fuel engine, however for many who put a precedence on gasoline financial system, there are a restricted variety of hybrid trims as effectively. Mix that with a clean, comfy trip and pricing beneath $50,000 even in its most luxurious guise, and the Santa Fe is a win for households.