2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Review

Hyundai has never been one to shy away from dramatic redesigns, with almost every one of its models looking entirely different from those that came before them — not to mention almost everything else in the lineup.

That’s why there’s absolutely no resemblance between the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and the short-lived fourth-generation version, as well as any of its contemporary siblings. This time around, it’s all about emphasizing size, with the real and perceived proportions stretching bigger than ever.

Practicality: 8/10

The 2024 Santa Fe was drawn up during the pandemic and it shows, with a rugged design incorporating plenty of practical touches aimed at enhancing its appeal with the outdoor crowd. In fact, the head of Hyundai’s styling studio in California said after its debut at last year’s Los Angeles auto show that the redesigned Santa Fe’s development started at the back, with the oversized tailgate opening acting as the touchstone for this fifth-generation SUV.

Elsewhere, grab handles are hidden in the C-pillars for easy access to roof-mounted cargo and accessories. Like the various bag hooks and storage areas inside, these features don’t necessarily stand out on a spec sheet, but they make all the difference in everyday life.

The return of third-row seating to the Santa Fe is also noteworthy. Not since the long-wheelbase version was scrapped to make room for the larger Palisade has additional seating been offered in this sport utility, although it’s the kind that’s best reserved for occasional use rather than by families with more than a couple kids.

Beyond the cramped confines offered by those rearmost seats, the space behind them is barely usable for more than a few grocery bags, with just 413 L of volume listed. With those seats stowed, however, the space expands to a rather reasonable 1,148 L, while the wide tailgate opening makes it easy to use every bit of it.

Comfort: 8/10

Given how the third-row seat cushions are bolted almost directly to the floor, occupants taller than about five feet will find their knees resting awfully close to their ears. But the front and second-row seats provide plenty of space to stretch out, and while they won’t be confused for the ones in a premium SUV, they’re reasonably supportive for journeys both long and short.

Tested here in rugged-ish XRT trim, ride quality is among the 2024 Santa Fe’s finer features. And while the chunky all-terrain tires it’s fitted with surely help in this area, they only serve to enhance the suppleness of the suspension.

Styling: 10/10

The XRT trim is all but ideally suited to the Santa Fe’s squared-off styling that’s a serious departure from the more conventional shape of the one before it. It’s a striking look that has shades of the expensive Land Rover Defender — not that it necessarily looks the same as that sport utility, but rather it’s like a reinterpretation of it.

The pixel design cues that Hyundai first introduced on the all-electric Ioniq 5 carry over here, with the lighting in particular pairing well with the Santa Fe’s shape and sharp lines. Ditto the interior, which is filled with more dots and lines than a Morse code manual. It’s something of a polarizing look overall — some love it, others hate it — but it’s nothing if not unique in the segment.

User-Friendliness: 8/10

More Ioniq 5 inspiration is found in the way the Santa Fe functions, with the same column-mounted gear selector that takes some getting used to — twist to move; push to park — but frees up space on the centre console. Not only does it look less cluttered, but the front half of the cabin feels more functional than most of the others in the segment and beyond.

Where it all goes at least a little wrong is the touch panel that’s employed to manage the climate control system. While the icons themselves are easy enough to understand, and there are dials for temperature adjustments, the display itself is prone to being washed out in bright sunlight. (Such systems are also demonstrably less intuitive than physical switchgear that can become second nature through muscle memory.)

More generally, it isn’t just the tailgate opening that’s oversized; the doors front and back are worthy of the same praise, while the windows offer good views of what’s happening outside the vehicle.

Features: 8/10

A heated steering wheel and front seats are standard across the Santa Fe’s lineup, as is dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, subscription-based satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, extras like heated rear seats and ventilated front ones, as well as second-row captain’s chairs, and an upgraded 12-speaker stereo are reserved for only the most expensive trims.

Safety: 8/10

As with most modern vehicles, the Santa Fe’s advanced safety suite is a robust one, with a wealth of features fitted as standard across the four-trim lineup. Forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turn assist that can warn of oncoming traffic, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control are included in every version, while more expensive ones get extras like a camera-based blind-spot system.

More basically, the Santa Fe’s tail- and signal lights are mounted incredibly low on the back of the vehicle, making them harder to spot — particularly for drivers of large vehicles. It’s an inherent flaw that’s shared by others, including the smaller Hyundai Tucson, with function following form to the detriment of essential safety.

Power: 8/10

The hybrid powertrain that’s offered in the Tucson — as well as its corporate cousin, the Kia Sportage — carries over here, although it’s not offered under the hood of the Santa Fe XRT. Instead, it gets a stout 2.5L four-cylinder engine that turbocharges its way to 277 hp along with 311 lb-ft of torque. While the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission it’s paired with betrays it at least a little, with characteristic shuddering when rolling away from a stop, all that torque makes merging and passing uneventful in the best ways.

All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, with the slip-and-grip system prioritizing the front wheels in the name of efficiency. That means the rear wheels are driven only when accelerating from a stop or when slippage is detected, while terrain modes for different low-traction situations do the same.

Fuel Economy: 6/10

Despite the disconnecting drive system, the Santa Fe isn’t especially efficient. It’s rated to consume 10.6 L/100 km combined with the 2.5L engine under the hood, while this XRT trim is good for 10.8 thanks to its all-terrain tires. The available hybrid setup sends that number down to just 6.9.

That’s not much worse than most of its rivals, including the slightly larger Toyota Highlander that gets 10.3 (its hybrid is good for 6.7). Meanwhile, during this test the Santa Fe XRT turned in an indicated average of 10.5 L/100 km across a little more than 500 km. It runs on regular-grade gas.

Driving Feel: 8/10 

Despite the healthy dose of curb cut-absorbing cushiness to the ride, the Santa Fe is a shockingly responsive sport utility. There’s a kind of composure here that any family will surely appreciate — especially when it comes to safety. There’s even a good amount of feel on the road, with the variable-ratio steering offering feedback that firms up in correspondence with increasing speed.

The brakes, too, provide good pedal feel, although engaging the automatic hold function requires a deep press that’s excessive and unnatural. Even so, that’s a relatively minor complaint that does little to get in the way of a top-class drive experience.

Value: 6/10

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $42,999 before tax (that includes a non-negotiable freight charge of $2,000), which reflects its positioning as one of the few SUVs this size to offer third-row seating. The XRT trim tested here is a big step up at $48,999, while both the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims crest the $50,000 mark ($51,999 and $55,499, respectively).

The closely related Kia Sorento is priced between $41,025 and $54,525 before tax, while the gas-powered Mitsubishi Outlander ranges from $36,648 to $46,948. The latter is also offered with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain that adds to the asking price but can travel some 61 km without burning a drop of gas.

The Verdict

Now in its sixth generation, the Santa Fe has moved away from the Tucson in terms of size and now finds itself closer to the Palisade while staying this side of true midsize territory. That means its third-row seats are fine for when the in-laws are in town or a couple extra kids need a ride to soccer practice, but that’s about it.

Otherwise, its redesign is a slick one, with an emphasis on functionality that may have come about during the days of social distancing but remains appreciable in a post-pandemic world. Aside from a few flaws here and there — the rear lights being the biggest — the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has found a nice little niche in an ever-expanding segment of sport utilities. It’s not the only entry like it in terms of size and space, but its standout styling and prioritized practicality put it a step ahead of the competition.