Well, if you’re looking for an SUV, there are a lot of choices out there. And even a hybrid SUV – yep, some good choices there as well. But have you noticed a lot of them look kind of…. the same?
Hyundai did and decided to create something that looks different from most mainstream SUVs, it also looks like a much more expensive vehicle. How does a Range Rover at Hyundai pricing sound? Sounds good to us – time for a test drive!
Head-turning Hyundai
Hyundai has been creating some good-looking vehicles lately. We’d include the Ioniq 6 EV, Ioniq 9 EV, Palisade – even the Elantra breaks free of the crowd. So, we’re not surprised they thought out of the box on the new Santa Fe. And it’s a stunner.
The bold presence starts at the front with a squared-off hood line that looks veddy British, combined with cool H-shaped signature lamps that proudly proclaim this is a Hyundai. A wide mesh upper and lower grille look sporty and tough, separated by a bumper that also echoes the “H” shape.
The profile really imparts a sense of size, with a longer wheelbase, and chunky squared-off lines that also remind of Range Rover. Our Calligraphy model’s lack of chrome made it look badass, and the trim-exclusive, 20-inch alloy wheels nestle nicely in the bulged-out fenders. Even the details are clever – we loved the C-pillar panels that fold in to give you a handgrip while you step on the tire to reach up onto the roof rack. Cool!
The rearview is just as stunning, with a wide (6 inches wider!) liftgate that reaches long and low, down to the low taillights, that also carry an “H” theme that echoes the front. S A N T A F E spelled out in bold block letters looks very premium, while a lower bumper with lighting and grated pattern makes for a tasteful end. The perfect finishing touch was our tester’s Atlantis Blue paint, new for the 2025 model year, it’s a deep blue gray that looked rich and really sold off the blocky lines.
Luxurious and Techy
Inside, the Santa Fe reminds us of the Ioniq 9 we recently tested – no problem there, they’re both gorgeous, with a rich, upscale look.
Open the door and you get the feeling of the great indoors with wide, horizontal spaces that really emphasize the width of the interior. With a handsome 2-tone interior featuring a lighter ivory color over a darker gray you feel immediately spoiled. We also liked the matte finish wood-type trim that felt very Volvo-ish.
Luxurious, yes, but also practical. The big Hyundai serves up loads of storage with a smart center console that has not one, but two wireless charging pads for your smartphones, generous dual cupholders and a massive storage console with a trick lid that opens from the front for those in front, or from the rear, for easy access for 2nd row passengers. A large pass-through under the center console gives up even more storage area.
Slide into the heated and cooled Nappa leather covered driver’s seat and you may never want to leave – our Calligraphy tester had a recline-flat feature that includes an ottoman that swings up – perfect for taking a nap during those longer trips or waiting for the kids at school.
Our tester had 2nd row captain’s chairs (also heated!) that reinforce the limo feel. Despite the fact that Hyundai says the 3rd row seats have best in class legroom, they are really best for kids or small adults for short trips. If you need more 3rd row space, Hyundai offers the Palisade SUV as well.
In the Santa Fe cargo space is tight with the 3rd row up but flip it down and it’s quite good. With the 2nd row folded it’s huge – advantages of the big boxy design, and that large tailgate makes loading a cinch.
Look around and you’ll see that boxy design theme throughout the interior. Behind the swanky-looking, two-tone leather wheel is Hyundai’s gorgeous display, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens. In front of the driver is a tasteful gauge display, that looks modern and fresh with circular shapes for tachometer and speedo and a center driver’s info readout. We also love the Hyundai trick of putting a camera image in the Left- or Right-hand part of the display when you’re signaling for a left or right turn, respectively.
It’s paired with an equally gorgeous info-tainment display, and like the Ionic 9, it’s got a BMW-like tile pattern that lets you easily swipe between items. We really like the thoughtful layout to the system – we got our Apple CarPlay up and running instantly, and our favorite apps like WAZE looked bright and clear.
We also found the Bose audio system to sound great and we love the “Sounds of Nature” feature that gives pre-recorded ambient vibes. Our favorite: Lively Forest! Even better, while you’ll find almost no round knobs in the interior, Hyundai includes dedicated knobs for volume and tuning. Hurrah!
We also appreciate a dedicated climate control panel, with easy to reach features for drive modes, 4WD and other key items directly below. We think it’s the perfect blend of digital displays and traditional switchgear. Very thoughtful and well laid out.
All this and Hybrid, too!
Driving the Santa Fe is a treat – especially with the available hybrid powertrain.
If the goal is outright performance, we’d probably opt for the non-hybrid model that features a 277-horsepower, turbo 4-cylinder with an eight-speed DCT automatic.
Our tester was the hybrid, and the numbers are still pretty impressive. With a turbo 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder there’s a stout 226 horsepower, and like many hybrids, you get loads of low-end power with 271 lb.-ft of torque coming in almost immediately.
It’s a smart hybrid, shutting down the gas engine when not needed, and that can be around town or on the road. And in full EV mode it’s impressively smooth and silent. When the gas engine kicks in, it’s notably smooth, and you really don’t notice what the powertrain is doing. What you will notice is 34 highway and 35 city EPA mpg estimates – considering the Santa Fe’s big size and strong power that’s impressive, indeed.
While we drove mostly in the Econ setting, we found that switching over to Sport mode really brightened up the drive, and along with wheel mounted paddle shifters you can serve up a bit of sport-sedan type fun in your daily drive. Our tester had the optional all-wheel drive making our Santa Fe an easy year-round SUV.
You’ll also appreciate a comfy, composed ride. And the handling is progressive and easy, the vehicle feels smaller than it is once on the road, and that makes it especially easy for crowded cities and tight parking spaces.
Being a family vehicle, Hyundai makes sure you’re well looked after, including Forward Collision, Blind Spot Collision and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist. You also have Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot View Monitor, Parking Distance Warning, Rear Occupant Alert and more.
We also liked the Adaptive Cruise Control that now senses when the road is curving ahead and does a better job at following traffic than before.
How Much do you Pay for Santa Fe?
With all the great features, the Santa Fe is also well-priced.
In non-hybrid guise, you can get into a front wheel drive SE model starting at $34,800 – for a handsome 3-row SUV with a powerful turbo engine, that’s great value. Hybrid models start at $36,150 for the SE Hybrid.
Our tester was the top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD, starting at $49,050. Add in $210 for carpeted floor mats, and $1,415 for Destination, we rang the bill at $50,675. Frankly the Calligraphy looks and feels much more expensive than that!
And don’t forget Hyundai’s impressive warranty, with 10-year/100,000-mile coverage for powertrain and hybrid components, and 5-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle coverage – nice to know with all that advanced tech on board!
Competitors would include the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser, which has a more rugged off-road style, but comparably equipped it comes in at $65,120 – much more expensive. We also like the luxurious Mazda CX-90, with plug-in hybrid power it’s a strong and stylish performer, but loaded up, it comes in at $58,920, so it’s also a premium over the Hyundai.
Great value, looks, a luxurious interior and an impressively efficient hybrid powertrain. The 2025 Hyundai Sante Fe is our favorite family-friendly, 3-row SUV!
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