Photos by Dustin W. Johnson
This is a carryover model year for the Hyundai Santa Fe, so aside from Atlantis Blue joining the palette of available colors, it hasn’t changed significantly since 2024. You may look at the Santa Fe in this review and think it’s the exact same one we reviewed last year. After all, it’s a top-of-the-line Calligraphy model with Earthy Brass Matte paint, a Gray Nappa leather interior, and HTRAC all-wheel drive. There’s one major difference, though: what’s under the hood, which completely changes the character of the Santa Fe.
Prices for the 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid start at $37,800 for the base SEL model with front-wheel drive. With its $1,000 matte paint, $210 carpeted floor mats, and $1,415 inland freight and handling charge, our all-wheel-drive Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy review vehicle had an as-tested price of $51,675.
The Santa Fe has instant identity in any parking lot, although some passers-by may confuse the upright, two-box design for a Land Rover Defender 110. Given that those are upscale hardcore off-roaders priced from $60,800, it’s hard to imagine Santa Fe owners being angered by the mix-up. However, if they’re not used to a vehicle with matte paint, they may be unpleasantly surprised by its maintenance requirements, which prohibit automated car washes, conventional polishes and other paint care products, and wiping too hard, all of which can ruin the finish. Earthy Brass Matte is a handsome color, but it makes a sensible SUV that’s “built for your grandest adventures” a little less practical and rugged.
Most modern vehicle seats hit a certain baseline of comfort. However, there are some that are truly outstanding when it comes to making the driving experience significantly more pleasant. The Zero Gravity seats in the Nissan Altima, which can make a long road trip seem much shorter, come to mind. The heated and ventilated front seats of the Santa Fe Calligraphy are also on that level. They were absolutely pillowy. Along with the Santa Fe’s gentle suspension tuning, they made every drive better. The heated steering wheel, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual wireless phone charging pads, and heated captain’s chairs and manual sunshades in the second row only added to the serenity of the Santa Fe’s cabin.
The 2024 Santa Fe Calligraphy was a lovable vehicle for the reasons above and many more, but its engine had a major drawback. Although the turbocharged 2.5-liter I4 was powerful, its turbo lag meant always playing a game of “Hurry Up and Wait” for its 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid model combines a 1.6-liter turbo four with an electric motor and a 1.49-kW lithium-ion battery; total output is 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft. Under ideal conditions, the Hybrid Calligraphy with HTRAC is capable of returning 35 mpg in the city, 34 on the highway, and 34 combined. In our test vehicle, we averaged a significantly lower 30.5 mpg across 390.8 miles. True, the hybrid setup wasn’t as economical as it could’ve been nor as powerful as the gas-only option, but its power delivery was superior. The delay between requesting acceleration and getting it was minimal. Not only was the hybrid system much more responsive and enjoyable, but it also fit the positioning of the Calligraphy trim better. Soothing leather seats, a suede-like headliner, and a 12-inch head-up display are luxuries, but one of the greatest luxuries is not having to wait.
To learn even more about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD, watch our full video review below.