Hyundai Santa Fe review

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?

With the introduction of the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, the Korean company has produced one of the most distinctive-looking seven-seat SUVs around. The angular lines and H-themed detailing in the lights and bumpers mean it really cuts a dash, and the overall look combines hints of Land Rover Defender with the hi-tech ‘pixel’ motif used by Hyundai’s Ioniq EVs.

Electrification came to the Santa Fe with the Mk4 model, while the current car is offered exclusively with hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. Both use the firm’s 1.6-litre Smartstream turbo petrol engine, but with different levels of electrical assistance. Seven seats are standard with both set-ups (or a plush six-seat alternative is offered), while there are Premium, Ultimate and Calligraphy trims.

Hyundai Santa Fe: model range, specs and rivals

The Hyundai Santa Fe sits at the top the the Hyundai SUV line-up, above the popular mid-size Hyundai Tucson, and Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Bayon small SUVs. The Santa Fe features a hybrid or plug-in hybrid range of engines, but there’s no electric version as you’ll find with the Peugeot 5008. You’ll have to wait for the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 9, or look towards the Kia EV9 for a large six- or seven-seat SUV that runs off a plug rather than petrol.

Even entry-level models come with dual 12.3-inch displays, a powered tailgate, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charging pad, keyless entry, electrically adjustable heated front seats and a suite of driver assistance tech.

Upgrading to Ultimate adds a Bose premium sound system, a glass sunroof, head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, plus dual charging pads. It’s also available with the optional Pecan Brown and Supersonic Grey interior themes.

Range-topping Calligraphy features Nappa leather upholstery, ‘Premium Relaxation’ front seats, plus gloss black exterior trim and wheels, while a UV-C sterilisation tray that can sanitise small items such as phones and keys with ultra-violet rays is added to the upper glovebox – the Santa Fe is the first production car to feature such a system.

How much does the Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

Prices for the Hyundai Santa Fe start from around £47,000, which gets you behind the wheel of the full-hybrid, front-wheel-drive version. Four-wheel drive is available as an option with the hybrid powertrain for around £2,000, or you can go for the plug-in hybrid with this as standard from just under £52,000. 

Our network of trusted dealers is currently offering discounts on Santa Fe recommended retail prices via our Find a Car service. Alternatively, you can lease a Santa Fe or buy a used version, all on Auto Express.

The Hyundai Santa Fe looks large, courtesy of its boxy styling, but it’s not as big as some SUVs and there are plenty of assistance systems to help you position the car on the road, although the number of warning beeps might infuriate.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has front-wheel drive as standard, but does have the option of four-wheel drive. The latter can tackle some light off-roading using dedicated mud, sand and snow drive modes, plus a handy hill-descent control system.

Despite not being a full EV, the Santa Fe has a multi-stage regenerative braking system, which you adjust using paddles on the steering wheel. We would like it if the full-hybrid version had a stronger setting, because the car’s highest level can slow the car to a creep, but requires a lot of time and distance to do so.

What is the Hyundai Santa Fe like to drive?

In town

A lofty driving position gives a good view of your surroundings, while all versions feature front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to help with manoeuvres. Light steering is also a bonus, while cameras in the door mirrors provide a live view of the car’s flanks in the instrument binnacle when the indicators are used.

The ride at lower speeds is comfortable, while the hybrid system fills in the power band as the engine gets up to speed. The car’s warning beeps are slightly frustrating, though. There’s a distracted-driving warning that tends to activate every time you look anywhere other than straight ahead – which can be a nuisance if you’re looking both ways when pulling out of a junction.

The PHEV model is quiet and refined around town because it favours electric drive as long as there’s enough charge in the battery. Hyundai claims an official range of 33.6 miles from a fully charged pack, while the transition from electric to petrol drive is smooth, with no transmission shunt between power sources.

There are two carry-overs from Hyundai’s EVs found on the Santa Fe. The first is the column-mounted drive selector to the right of the steering wheel, and the other is the steering-wheel paddles that allow you to adjust energy recovery while on the move. The strongest of the five settings isn’t enough for one-pedal driving, but it’s still a welcome feature that allows you to boost the car’s energy recuperation in different situations.

On A- and B-roads

Another irritation of the audible warnings is that the car beeps when the road sign camera system detects a change in the speed limit, and does so again if you should breach it even by 1mph. It’s simple enough to deactivate the system with a long press of the mute button on the multifunction steering wheel, but current regulations mean it defaults back to ‘on’ every time you start the car. This is common on many new cars, though, and isn’t specific to the Santa Fe.

At higher speeds, the Hyundai delivers plenty of comfort. Air suspension isn’t offered, but the conventional springs and dampers are tuned to absorb bumps effectively and keep the cabin calm. A high kerbweight and light controls that are short on feedback preclude any driving fun, while body roll is pronounced if you push on a little harder.

Accelerating sees the engine become more vocal, and the hybrid model uses combustion power most of the time. As long as there’s some charge in the PHEV’s battery (and the system tends to retain around 15 per cent capacity when in use), then the electric motor will do most of the work. When you do wake the engine, it’s not a very pleasant-sounding unit, with a harsh note that is sustained by the gearbox holding on to ratios in the style of a CVT transmission.

On the motorway

Once the Santa Fe is up to speed it’s a quiet and refined place to be. There isn’t much wind or road noise, while the suspension is only unsettled by large bumps, which cause the whole car to shudder. 

The hybrid model isn’t at its best on the motorway because it’s more reliant on the engine for power – Toyota and Lexus still have the measure of rivals when it comes to hybrid efficiency. It’s a similar story with the PHEV when the battery has run down. If you do have some charge left, then the plug-in model will occasionally drive on electricity even at 70mph.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

The Santa Fe Hybrid produces 212bhp and 367Nm of torque from its turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine and single electric, and Hyundai quotes a 0-62mph time of 9.6 seconds for the standard car, while the 4WD model manages the same sprint in 9.8 seconds. Power goes through a six-speed automatic gearbox, and you can get the hybrid in front-wheel drive, or for around £2,000 extra, four-wheel drive.

The Santa Fe PHEV has more power, at 250bhp, but makes the same 367Nm of torque as the hybrid model. The other main difference between the hybrid and PHEV is that the latter is four-wheel drive only, while the car has a 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds.

The Hyundai Santa Fe should offer decent running costs around town, but we’d like to see a diesel option to boost efficiency on longer drives. Hybrid powertrains do their best work at low and medium speeds, where the electronics manage energy flow between the road and power sources, but a car such as the Santa Fe is a prime candidate for longer trips and towing, and here hybrid drive isn’t as efficient. 

During our time with a Santa Fe PHEV, we saw the car’s trip computer returning fuel economy in the mid-30s on motorway runs once the battery was exhausted, but slower urban driving saw mpg figures in the mid-40s range. Since the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) starts using the petrol engine more frequently once the battery is down to around 15 per cent capacity, the system does at least proactively try to boost efficiency.

Electric range, battery life and charge time

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid has a 13.8kWh battery that offers a pure-electric range of 38 miles. That is a slight improvement when compared with the previous generation Santa Fe PHEV, which could cover 36 miles. 

However, since the Santa Fe PHEV only has a 3.6kW onboard charger, fully recharging it will take around four hours from a 7kW standard home wallbox charger. It’s also worth noting that the latest Peugeot 5008 PHEV has a zero-emissions range of up to 48 miles, while the Skoda Kodiaq iV boasts a massive 75-mile EV range.

Tax 

List prices for the whole Santa Fe range are above the £40,000 mark for premium road tax, so while hybrid drive knocks £10 off the annual charge, it’s still a pricey car for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). 

Those high prices, combined with high emissions for the hybrid model, don’t help the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company car tax costs. With a figure of 155g/km, even the entry-level version sits in the higher tax brackets. The PHEV model does offer some savings, but its short all-electric range isn’t as competitive as rivals such as the Skoda Kodiaq, which dips into an even lower BiK band.

Insurance

Insurance costs for the Hyundai Santa Fe should be reasonable, but there are more affordable rivals out there. The entry-level front-wheel drive hybrid starts in group 33, rising to group 34 for the all-wheel drive version, while the quickest plug-in hybrid is in group 36. In comparison, the Skoda Kodiaq starts in group 18, while the plug-in hybrid version is in group 24.

Depreciation

The Santa Fe offers distinct appeal with its looks and the fact that it’s a new model, and its residual values of between 52-55 per cent reflect that because they’re slightly higher than the Skoda Kodaiq, which is predicted to maintain between 41-49 per cent of its original value over the same period. 

The Ultimate trim of both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid have slightly stronger figures than the top-of-the-range six-seat Calligraphy model.

To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our free car valuation tool...

The Santa Fe’s cabin styling isn’t as radical as the exterior’s, but it’s roomy and features useful tech from other Hyundai models.

What is the Hyundai Santa Fe like inside?

There’s a square theme inside that mirrors the car’s exterior, and the seats are embossed with a pattern that mimics the pixel lights on the nose. Plus there’s a big centre console that divides the front cabin, while the dashboard has a horizontal theme. The angled panel between the dash and console houses the climate controls and other functions, and has a semi-gloss finish that doesn’t suffer from distracting reflections.

What is the interior quality like? 

All of the Hyundai’s main touchpoints give the car a premium feel, with high-quality materials and metal-effect switches boosting the ambience inside. The fit and finish of the cabin is good, too, although the large black plastic centre console might be a little utilitarian for some people. There are some other touches that seem slightly cheap: for example, the front door handles are illuminated at night, but the rear ones aren’t.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Hyundai has kitted the Santa Fe out with a pair of 12.3-inch screens that stretch across the top of the dashboard, with the main touchscreen curved towards the driver for ease of use. 

Given that there is no budget version of the Santa Fe, all cars feature the same 12.3-inch touchscreen system. The infotainment system runs software that will be familiar to anybody who has driven a current Hyundai or Kia, with a menu system that can get a little involved, although the small Home button in the bottom right gets you back to square one if you need it. Navigation is standard and comes with five years of updates, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.

At least the climate controls are on a separate panel, although the touch-sensitive buttons aren’t the most intuitive to use.

There’s a huge amount of space inside the latest Santa Fe, and every version is fitted with seven seats as standard. However, the top-of-the-range Calligraphy trim is available with a six-seat configuration that includes two individual captain’s chairs for the middle row. 

Alternatively, if you’ve got young children and need a family car that can handle multiple child car seats, the Santa Fe features four sets of ISOFIX mounting points – two on the middle bench, and another two on the rearmost seats. Folding down the second row seats is done with the push of a button, and the third-row seats have straps that make folding them down even quicker and easier.

Dimensions and size

Measuring 4,830mm from nose to tail, the Hyundai Santa Fe Mk5 is 45mm longer than the old model. It’s longer, wider and taller than its key rivals, particularly the Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008, but a width of 1,800mm means it’s not as unwieldy as some wider premium SUVs, such as the Volvo XC90 or Land Rover Defender. 

Seats & space in the front

While the centre console is broad, there’s still plenty of room, and a wide range of seat and wheel adjustment will suit all body shapes behind the wheel. 

The Santa Fe is bursting with storage options, including deep door bins, a very deep armrest bin with two levels and a lid that is hinged at both ends so it can be opened from the front or rear. There are a pair of gloveboxes ahead of the front-seat passenger, too, and in top-spec Calligraphy trim the upper compartment features a UV-C sterilisation tray, which Hyundai says is a first for a production car. 

Pop something inside – it’s a narrow space, so only thin items such as gloves, keys or smartphones will fit – shut the door and press the UV-C button on the dash. Items are then blasted with ultraviolet rays for 10 minutes to clean them of bacteria, viruses and other such nasties.

Seats & space in the back

A tall roof means headroom isn’t an issue in the Santa Fe, while shoulder space in the middle row is fine when travelling three-up. There’s a flat floor, and the front seat backs are hard plastic, so will take a kicking from careless feet. There are bag hooks on them, too, as well as USB sockets on the sides of the front seats. There are air vents on the B-pillars to help with ventilation, and they should be handy for those in the back on a hot summer day.

The middle row slides back and forth, and this helps with access to the rearmost row. Once there, space is reasonable but still tight for adults. One positive is that the upright tailgate means your head isn’t close to the rear screen as it can be in some of the Santa Fe’s rivals.

Recessed handles in the C-pillars are designed to help when climbing up to the roof bars or into the back. Straps on the rearmost seat backs mean they can be lifted easily, while the back row has air vents and USB ports.

Boot space 

The large tailgate is electrically operated, and it opens high to allow you to stand beneath it, plus there’s a low loading lip. Hyundai doesn’t quote boot space in seven-seat mode, but there’s room to play with – although not as much as you’ll find in a Skoda Kodiaq. 

The hybrid model has a 628-litre boot in five-seat mode, and this increases to 1,949 litres with all the rear seats folded. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is slightly smaller, with figures of 621 and 1,942 litres. One minor issue is that there’s nowhere to put the load cover when it’s not in use. All models feature self-levelling suspension.

Towing

One area where the Santa Fe falls behind its rivals is towing. There’s a maximum capacity of 1,110kg irrespective of whether you choose the PHEV or the hybrid, or even if you opt for four-wheel drive for the latter. That’s a shame, because large SUVs like the Santa Fe are often bought to tow, and the PHEV version of the Skoda Kodiaq can haul 1,800kg (as can the standard petrol versions), while the diesel can tow up to 2,400kg in its most powerful guise.

The Santa Fe only received a four-star out of five Euro NCAP score for the entry-level Premium version without the optional Smart Sense+ Pack, and the maximum five-star rating for mid-range Ultimate and above with it. That's a little disappointing when its chief rival, the Skoda Kodiaq, has a five-star rating throughout the range. There are still plenty of other safety assistance highlights provided as standard, including a driver monitor, forward-collision avoidance, lane following and adaptive cruise control, although the assorted beeps and bongs that come with these features might become a source of irritation for some drivers.

Among the Santa Fe’s safety suite is ‘Highway Drive Assist’, which combines adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and lane following assist. Other tech on board includes forward-collision avoidance assist and driver-attention alert – although the latter can be activated just by looking either way when exiting a junction. Pricier models also feature ‘Blind Spot View Monitor’, which displays a feed from the exterior cameras on the driver’s display when you indicate. 

The latest Hyundai Santa Fe was too new to make it onto our most recent list of top 50 cars to own in the 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. However, Hyundai finished 17th (out of 32) in the 2024 best car manufacturer rankings. Owners who responded to our survey praised their cars’ infotainment, running costs and value for money.

Warranty

Hyundai’s five-year warranty is still a strong offering in the new car market. Some rivals now offer coverage for a similar period, but not all have the same unlimited mileage limit.

There's also an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid battery pack. Also included are 12 months of free roadside assistance and free annual health checks (visual inspections) of your car.

Servicing

Hyundai offers a service plan that covers the first three dealer visits for the Santa Fe. However, a total of £690 is pricey when compared with some rivals, although buyers can opt to include the service plan with any finance package they take out.

Hyundai Santa Fe alternatives

The Santa Fe is the biggest car in Hyundai’s UK line-up, and there are several large, seven-seat SUVs that it competes against. One chief rival is the recently facelifted Kia Sorento, which uses the same platform and features the same engines, but is also offered with a diesel engine, which means it has a lower starting price. Other rivals include the Skoda Kodiaq – our reigning Large SUV of the Year that comes in petrol, PHEV and diesel guises – and the latest Peugeot 5008, which is available in pure-electric form as the Peugeot E-5008.