Regresar al NewsVehicle Type: The Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize crossover SUV with seating for up to seven.
Price Range: $35,365 - $48,415 including destination but before options.
Powertrain: The Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.
An optional hybrid powertrain uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged gas engine paired with an electric motor making a total of 232 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque.
Hybrid models have a traditional six-speed automatic transmission.
What’s New for 2024?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is an all-new car for 2024. The latest generation is a massive departure from the old, with a boxy exterior design, bigger dimensions, and three rows of seating. Hyundai has been making bold styling choices with its most recent models such as the Ioniq all-electric lineup, and the interior and exterior styling of the new Santa Fe brings that brashness to its gas-powered cars. Along with a larger footprint and a longer wheelbase, the Santa Fe also gets the more powerful turbo engine from the outgoing model as standard. An optional fuel-sipping hybrid remains available, but gone is the outgoing model's base non-turbo four-cylinder engine. We'll get into other major changes in the categorical breakdowns below, so read on to get the full picture.
What’s Good?
- Standout looks
- Great value vs competition
- Good fuel economy for both normal and Santa Fe Hybrid
What’s Bad?
- The third row is smaller than some in the class
- Somewhat noisy powertrain
- Only slightly cheaper than larger Hyundai/Kia SUVs
Would we buy one? Why not?!
More Photos:
See more 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos.
Overview:
The bold new Santa Fe occupies the midsize crossover segment, which is among the most crowded and the most competitive in the automotive marketplace. Hyundai hopes to attract buyers looking for three rows of seating, a statement-making design, and the driving dynamics and fuel efficiency that come with a crossover SUV. No one will confuse this boxy crossover with a minivan, more likely it will be mixed up with a Land Rover Defender.
As we mentioned, the Santa Fe competes in a hot market, meaning buyers have a long list of comeptitors. From within the Hyundai/Kia brand, the Santa Fe may be up against the larger and only slightly more expensive Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade, or the similarly sized Kia Sorento. Outside of the family tree, a long list of competitors includes models such as the Chevrolet Traverse, the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, the Mazda CX-90, the Nissan Pathfinder, the Subaru Ascent, the Toyota Highlander, and the Volkswagen Atlas. The list goes on, but that should be plenty of options to keep buyers busy researching.
We’ll say it again: the Santa Fe is all-new for the model year. The first thing any observer will notice is the bold and boxy exterior. Much has changed inside, too, with a completely redesigned cabin with styling influenced by the exterior body style. Tech and safety features are also brought up to the current times.
Overall Score: 3.7/5 stars
Driving Experience: 3.5/5 stars
The Santa Fe may be slightly underpowered for its size, even with the standard turbocharged engine. The powertrain feels somewhat strained and becomes noisy under acceleration.
Handling is stable and predictable if a little boring. Buyers in this segment are not likely to expect sportiness, though, so the Santa Fe should meet expectations.
Despite its slightly large size, low-speed steering takes light effort, and parking the Santa Fe is no problem.
The Santa Fe features a high seating position, which many buyers in the segment will appreciate.
Visibility is about average for the class, with a large blind spot created by the massive C-pillar. Luckily, Hyundai included blind spot monitoring on all models. Top trims also get blind spot cameras.
Safety Features: 4/5 stars
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2024 Santa Fe its Top Safety Pick, ranking it among the best in its class. The model fell short of the IIHS’s top ranking of Top Safety Pick+, likely due to Marginal results in the updated moderate overlap front crash test.
The other major safety testing agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has not yet rated the 2024 Santa Fe.
Each Santa Fe comes packed with a variety of safety and driver assistance features as standard. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, driver attention alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology are all included, even on base trims.
Some reviewers find Hyundai’s safety systems too aggressive, particularly the driver attention warning.
Value: 4/5 stars
Even the base SE trim of the Santa Fe is well equpped and punches above its entry-level pricing.
The Santa Fe has a lower starting MSRP than most of the competition, though buyers might be tempted by the larger Kia Telluride, which starts at just a couple thousand dollars more. The Subaru Ascent is among its closest competitors on price alone and, though it lacks some of the features, it does include all-wheel drive as standard.
Moving up the trim level ladder or adding options does not decrease the value of the Santa Fe relative to the competition. Each trim level feels worth the extra cost.
Hyundai has had some question marks with reliability in recent years, but it offers the longest warranty on the market, which should help prevent any major costs during the 10-year powertrain coverage.
Tech Features: 3.5/5 stars
Base models are packed with tech, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. A 4.2-inch screen in between gauges provides critical vehicle information, while two front and two rear USB-C ports are included to keep devices charged.
Hyundai’s BlueLink system allows you to view the car’s stats and operate some features from your smartphone.
Higher trims have features for more tech-motivated buyers, such as dual wireless chargers for front seat passengers, Bose premium audio, and a UV light tray above the glove box for sanitizing small items like phones or tablets.
Reviewers found the infotainment system responsive and intuitive. A smaller touchscreen has controls for HVAC functions which are on the small side and difficult to adjust without looking away from the road.
Practicality: 3.5/5 stars
With three rows of seats and a bigger footprint, the new Santa Fe is more practical than its predecessor.
The rear hatch is squarer than that of rivals, which makes it easy to access the maximum cargo space of 79.6 cubic feet. The seats fold flat to accommodate larger cargo or, for those looking to camp in their Santa Fe, two adults can sleep in the back.
Like many three-row SUVs of this size, the Santa Fe has very limited space for storage behind the third row, with just 14.6 cubic feet.
On the outside, some versions of the Santa Fe have a lockable handhold on the C-pillar. Unlock it, and there's a secure position to grab onto the vehicle when accessing the roof.
The maximum towing capacity for the Santa Fe is 4,500 pounds, but that number is only achieved by the XRT trim. Other trims can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Styling & Design: 4/5 stars
The Santa Fe's styling is boxy and bold. It looks like nothing else in the segment from its squared-off shape to the H pattern repeated throughout its design. The looks may be love it or hate it, but the Santa Fe is anything but bland.
The interior is stylish as the exterior, but also ergonomic and well laid out. A neat feature is the front center console, which can be accessed by the front or rear rows thanks to a dual-hinged lid.
Seating in the front row is comfortable, and middle row seats have enough room for adults with good headroom and legroom. The third row is small and buyers should only plan on using these seats for kids or short trips.
Overall, materials and build quality are on par with the best in the class. There are some plasticky surfaces, but most touch points are pleasant and everything appears to be properly assembled.
The Santa Fe meets Hyundai’s goal of a good midsize SUV with three rows of seating that stands out in a crowded segment.
Fuel Efficiency: 3.5/5 stars
The Hyundai Santa Fe gets EPA estimated fuel economy of 20 MPG city and 29 MPG highway with the standard powertrain. AWD models will see a drop to 28 MPG highway.
Hybrid Santa Fes are more economical, with an EPA rating of 36 MPG city and 35 MPG highway. AWD hybrids shed one MPG in both categories.
These fuel efficiency numbers stack up well against the competition. The AWD Subaru Ascent gets 20 MPG city and 26 MPG highway. The hybrid Toyota Highlander gets 36 MPG city and 35 MPG highway. The Santa Fe is right in the thick of the competition when it comes to fuel economy.
What’s it Going to Cost Me?
In base SE trim, the Santa Fe has an MSRP of $35,365. The standard powertrain is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 277 horsepower paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Outside, the Santa Fe SE features 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, heated side mirrors, and a hands-free smart liftgate. Inside, seating for seven is upholstered in stain-resistant cloth. The second-row seats consist of a power-folding 60/40 bench. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is a nice touch for the base model. Tech features include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four USB charging ports, and Hyundai Bluelink connected car services. The standard suite of safety features includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, front and rear parking sensors, rear occupant alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.
Stepping up to the Santa Fe SEL raises the MSRP to $37,865. Exterior changes include side mirrors with LED turn signals, roof rails, and Hyundai Digital Key 2. Inside, H-Tex leatherette upholstery is added, along with a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a single wireless device charger, dual automatic climate control, and third-row HVAC vents. Advanced rear occupant alert and forward attention warning are also added to the list of safety features.
Off-road oriented Santa Fe XRT trim starts at $42,015 and includes standard AWD. Towing capacity is increased to a maximum of 4,500 pounds and ground clearance is also increased by 1.3 inches. Dark finish 18-inch wheels are fitted with all-terrain tires, while mirror caps and exterior badging are also blacked out. Tech upgrades include on-board navigation, voice recognition, and a 110-volt power outlet. A conventional sunroof is added to help bring the outdoors in. Adaptive cruise control is navigation-based and highway driving assist is added to the list of safety features.
In the higher-end Limited trim, the MSRP starts at $44,765. Outside, the model gets power folding side mirrors and 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, leather seating is standard, front seats are ventilated, the steering wheel is heated, heated rear seats are added, rear side sunshades protect passengers, and the headliner is upgraded. Tech features include a Bose premium sound system, two additional USB ports for the third-row seats, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Surround-view and blind spot cameras are also added to the list of safety and driver assistance features. Other luxuries include a dual-pane sunroof, UV sanitizer compartment, and rain-sensing wipers.
In its most luxurious Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy trim, the model adds 21-inch dark finish alloy wheels, black exterior badging, seating for six with second-row captain’s chairs, Nappa leather upholstery, driver’s seat cushion extension, 12-inch head-up display (HUD), dual wireless chargers for the front seats, camera-based rearview mirror, and a microfiber headliner.
Notable options and packages: adding AWD to the SE, SEL, Limited, or Calligraphy trims adds $1,800. A hybrid powertrain can be added to SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims for an additional $500. Two colors of matte paint can be applied to XRT or higher trim models for $1,000.
For our money, we'd go for the XRT trim. Though it is over $4,000 more than the well-equipped SEL trim, standard all-wheel drive, increased towing capacity, and additional features such as navigation help the Santa Fe back up its tough, boxy looks. We’d shy away from the expensive and difficult-to-maintain matte paint finish, though.
