2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid evaluation

It’s a Discovery, it’s a Defender, it’s a… Hyundai?!

The newest Hyundai Santa Fe is a large design departure from its extra curvaceous predecessors, presenting boxy Land Rover-aping traces and distinctive LED lighting signatures.

While it’s not as classically good-looking as some generations earlier than it, the brand new Santa Fe is as sensible and tech-laden as ever, aiming to bridge the hole between the H model and its top-rating sister automotive, the Kia Sorento.

Hyundai Australia determined to launch with a hybrid-only lineup for the brand new Santa Fe, casting off the outgoing mannequin’s V6 petrol and four-cylinder turbo-diesel powertrain choices. A strong turbocharged petrol four-cylinder will be part of the fold within the new yr, the corporate’s native arm tells us.

So, in an effort to money in on growing hybrid demand and compete with gross sales chief Toyota, Hyundai has gone onerous on HEV and introduced a minimum of 5 electrified variations of its new seven-seater household SUV.

On check right here is probably the most inexpensive Santa Fe Hybrid FWD, a cloth-trimmed, contrast-bumpered entry mannequin that packs in a stack of options and tech for simply over $55,000. Really, you would select between this or a smaller Tucson.

But whereas it’d look very compelling on paper, is Hyundai’s new Minecraft-styled household bus price your consideration over the aforementioned Sorento or the now hybrid-only Toyota Kluger? Read on to search out out.

How does the Hyundai Santa Fe examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Hyundai Santa Fe towards equally sized autos.

Hyundai

Santa Fe

How a lot does the Hyundai Santa Fe value?

The sole front-drive Santa Fe is the most cost effective on sale, priced from $55,500 plus on-road prices.

To see how the Santa Fe Hybrid traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.

What is the Hyundai Santa Fe like on the within?

You hardly really feel such as you’re hopping right into a basey right here.

Yes, the tartan-style fabric trim is a giveaway that this isn’t luxurious spec – although it’s a bit of GTI-esque – however there are nonetheless good trim thrives, soft-touch supplies and a excessive stage of expertise.

Unlike Kia, Hyundai has specified the high-end 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as normal tools, sitting alongside the high-grade 12.3-inch central touchscreen in a single curved housing. It’s fairly swish in design.

While the bottom grade misses out on native satellite tv for pc navigation, it’s fitted as normal with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air (OTA) software program updates, and Bluelink linked companies.

The Koreans have actually stored the Japanese sincere in show expertise within the mainstream courses, and the Santa Fe stays on the forefront of the phase right here too – notably for the value level.

Even on this base grade the driving force’s seat is 10-way energy adjustable and there’s an honesty in regards to the fabric trim with tartan inserts that’s fairly endearing. They’re higher at escaping excessive chilly or warmth than leather-based, too, and even these base fabric pews are heated.

It’s simple to get snug and there’s an actual feeling of airiness and area due to that tall and boxy design. Once you discover your most well-liked driving place, it’s very snug and every part is inside arm’s attain.

During my time with the bottom Santa Fe, the wi-fi Apple CarPlay labored superbly with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, bar one time when it didn’t join on start-up, and the pedestal-style wi-fi cellphone charger was extra constant than in another manufacturers.

In addition to the same old interface and menus as a part of Hyundai and Kia’s newest ccNC infotainment structure, there are hybrid-specific menus with power movement charts and effectivity graphics to higher observe your gasoline financial system and hybrid energy utilization must you so want.

The digitised local weather management cluster seems very new-age whereas additionally being fairly purposeful, with bodily dials and switchgear for key capabilities and displaying info on the 6.6-inch contact panel – very Genesis-like.

Dual-zone local weather management with rear air vents and separate fan controls for the third row are normal. Really, except you need the look and fancier luxuries of upper grades, this base automotive has every part you’ll ever want after which some.

Fun extras embrace the higher glovebox cavity for telephones and wallets, although it does with out the UV cleaner in larger grades. There’s additionally a decrease open shelf for equally sized gadgets.

Then there’s the configurable centre console, with USB-C charging ports, cup holders and a cubby beneath the centre armrest. You even get a cavity beneath the centre bridge due to the shift-by-wire selector being moved to the steering column just like the model’s new EVs.

Perhaps moreso than the entrance, the second row has benefitted from the brand new boxy physique styling. There’s heaps of area for adults within the rear, even within the centre seat which is helped by a flat flooring.

The rear bench slides and reclines, and there’s a one-touch management to entry the third row. Further, there are further USB-C energy retailers and numerous facilities even on this base grade.

Bag hooks and map pockets adorn the backs of the entrance seats, and there are bottle holders within the doorways along with a folding centre armrest with cupholders.

If you’re seeking to carry smaller youngsters, there are ISOFIX anchors on the outer seats in addition to prime tethers for all three rear positions.

Got triplets? Quadruplets? Well, there are ISOFIX anchors on the sixth and seventh seats bolstered by prime tethers, and the Santa Fe has full airbag protection by all three rows for peace of thoughts.

Third-row occupants aren’t handled to the identical soft-touch surfaces of the primary two rows, however the armrests on both facet have built-in cupholders and as talked about earlier there are separate fan controls for the rearmost vents.

Each of the third-row seats are individually folding and reclinable, with adjustable head restraints. While my 6’1 body isn’t the first demographic for this third row, I may squeeze myself in there for a shorter journey if want be.

Kids can be fairly glad again there with a superb view out of these massive, sq. quarter home windows. It’s arguably someplace between the Sorento and bigger Palisade by way of third-row lodging as of late.

Hyundai quotes 628 litres (VDA) of cargo capability with the primary two rows in use, increasing to 1949 litres with rows two and three folded. For reference, the previous Santa Fe supplied 571-1649 litres in the identical configurations.

On prime of the additional area, all variations of the new-generation Santa Fe Hybrid function full-size spare wheels.

To see how the Santa Fe Hybrid traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The Santa Fe Hybrid has an up to date model of the 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid drivetrain used throughout quite a lot of Hyundai-Kia fashions, which now gives extra energy and torque.

To see how the Santa Fe Hybrid traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.

How does the Hyundai Santa Fe drive?

I’ve had loads of wheel time with the Hyundai Motor Group’s hybrids, however this Santa Fe is a step ahead.

Having lately stepped out of the associated Sorento Hybrid, which makes use of an older model of the identical drivetrain, the Hyundai feels prefer it has had an additional layer of polish utilized to the driving expertise.

In most areas it’s a smoother and extra refined automotive, with good help from the electrical motor at low speeds and at a cruise, whereas the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine avoids the buzziness and coarse revving that it has in purposes previous.

Despite now measuring over 4.8m lengthy and weighing greater than 1.9 tonnes, the Santa Fe Hybrid gives respectable shove for day by day duties due to the immediacy of the electrical motor’s torque, and the smooth-shifting six-speed auto.

You’re in all probability not going to win many site visitors mild drag races – however is that actually what that is about? I’d say not.

It can generally be tough to gauge how the car will reply, although. While the Santa Fe HEV is greater than able to getting as much as metropolis speeds on EV energy alone, it’ll typically be inconsistent on this respect.

Sometimes it’ll do largely EV off the mark, others it’ll hearth up the ICE very early within the course of. Other instances, it may be someplace in between. This isn’t a lot of a difficulty per se, however it can also imply the Santa Fe isn’t as constant within the expertise or gasoline financial system because the excellently environment friendly Kluger Hybrid.

That was mirrored in our real-world determine too, which at 6.2L/100km indicated after per week’s price of blended driving is nice however not standout. Still, it’s much better than the previous V6 and might be higher than what the earlier diesel sans idle cease/begin tech would handle with extra peak-hour metropolis commuting.

A standard criticism with this turbocharged hybrid system is the shortage of a taller closing gear, with the six-speed auto retaining the 1.6 T-GDI motor revving across the 2000rpm mark at 100 clicks. A seventh or eighth cog to convey this down a bit of would assist with freeway consumption, which in a short time approaches the 7.0L/100km mark.

Beyond that the Santa Fe is a really snug and refined place to spend time in. The experience even on 20-inch wheels is nicely sorted and pliant over Melbourne’s lumpy metropolis streets, and the electrified drivetrain’s tendency to repeatedly change off the petrol engine makes for a fairly quiet cabin on the transfer.

It’s not fairly whisper-quiet, with rougher sections of black prime on higher-speed roads letting a bit of extra street noise in than correctly premium alternate options, whereas the bluff and boxy sides imply there’s often some wind noise too.

The Santa Fe’s steering, dealing with and physique management are additionally good for the category, with correct driver controls and balanced dealing with that focuses on consolation extra so than partaking dynamics. Still, it’s not wallowy or obscure to drive.

We didn’t get the possibility to load up the Santa Fe with six further bums on seats and trial its traits nearer to payload, however with a few extras on board it felt greater than as much as job, notably within the kind of city and metropolis eventualities most house owners can be utilizing this for.

Hyundai’s suite of driver assists are additionally good, benefitting from refinements since a few of the earlier and extra annoying iterations first hit the market – a shortcut to disable the audible pace warning is being rolled out now.

The base Santa Fe doesn’t function the semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist (HDA) function that’s accessible on higher-grade and navigation-equipped fashions, however the usual adaptive cruise and Lane Following Assist (centring) capabilities work reliably and precisely – tick.

Blind-spot help and rear cross-traffic help each work as you’d count on, and the usual surround-view cameras with 3D modelling imply you may have quite a few units of eyes to make sure you’re not knocking into issues or pedestrians, or curbing these 20-inch machine-faced rims.

For an entry-level variant, the on-road expertise is fairly high-grade.

What do you get?

Santa Fe normal tools:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Auto high-beam
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• Electronic parking brake with auto maintain operate
• 3 x drive modes – Eco, Sport, My Drive
• 3 x multi-terrain drive modes – AWD solely
• Dual-zone local weather management
• 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Obsidian Black fabric upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Over the air (OTA) software program updates
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wi-fi, wired
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Surround-view digital camera system
• 6-speaker sound system
• Heated entrance seats
• Power tailgate
• Rear privateness glass
• Full-size alloy spare wheel

Santa Fe Elite provides:

• Silver exterior highlights
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• Black leather-based seats
• Suede headlining
• 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat
• Heated steering wheel
• Bose premium audio system – 12 audio system
• Dual wi-fi smartphone charger
• Bluelink linked companies
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Santa Fe Calligraphy provides:

• Unique 20-inch wheels
• Glass sunroof
• Head-up show
• Digital digital camera rearview mirror
• Black Ink Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Relaxation operate – entrance seats
• Memory operate – entrance seats, mirrors
• Heated outboard second-row seats
• Ventilated entrance seats
• UV-C sanitisation tray
• UV and infrared insulated windscreen, entrance home windows

The Calligraphy can also be supplied with a six-seat structure with second-row electrically adjustable captain’s chairs, which could provide a extra plush expertise however might restrict practicality considerably.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe protected?

The new-generation Santa Fe stays unrated by ANCAP and Euro NCAP.

Standard security options throughout the vary embrace:

• 10 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
  • Junction help
• Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
• Blind-spot help
• Blind Spot View Monitor
• Driver consideration warning 
• Forward consideration warning
• Leading car departure alert
• Evasive steering help operate
• Intelligent pace restrict help
• Lane Following Assist
• Lane maintain help
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Rear occupant alert
• Safe exit help
• Front, rear parking sensors
• Surround-view monitor – 360 cameras

How a lot does the Hyundai Santa Fe value to run?

Hyundai covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, whereas the high-voltage battery and electrical motor componentry of the hybrid system is roofed for eight years or 160,000km.

Hyundai nonetheless disappointingly limits its service intervals to 10,000km (or 12 months) for its turbocharged petrol fashions, very like sister model Kia. Still, Hyundai has completed higher to restrict service prices by comparability.

With a pre-paid bundle accessible for $2405 over 5 years, the Santa Fe prices lower than $500 each year to keep up over the primary 5 years of possession, which isn’t fairly Toyota Kluger good however not dangerous within the scheme of issues.

To see how the Santa Fe Hybrid traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.

CarExpert’s Take on the Hyundai Santa Fe

This new Santa Fe generally is a thought-about a brand new benchmark – although I really feel its seems could be its largest hurdle.

Even on this most elementary grade, the Santa Fe Hybrid gives every part a rising Australian household wants after which some. Similar cash gained’t purchase you a Toyota Kluger Hybrid both, and the $5000-dearer base GX AWD looks like a fleet spec.

If something, this entry-level mannequin is priced and specified to tempt individuals out of mid- to high-spec mid-size alternate options just like the RAV4 and even Hyundai’s personal Tucson. And, it’s a much better seven-seater than a Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV).

The Santa Fe Hybrid could be very nicely rounded. It’s spacious, well-featured, comparatively environment friendly and gives good on-road efficiency. Hyundai’s aftersales program is likewise in keeping with rivals, so there’s lots to like.

Drawbacks? It’s not fairly as environment friendly as a Toyota Kluger Hybrid, the seems are certain to polarise and the material trim, whereas fetching, isn’t as household pleasant as leatherette or real cover. But actually, there’s not a lot else to complain about.

If you’re available in the market for a big seven-seat SUV, this ought to be in direction of the highest of your procuring record.

Interested in shopping for a Hyundai Santa Fe? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

Click the pictures for the total gallery

MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe