Hyundai has done its best to keep up with customer demand for SUVs. Now, the brand has ushered in a new design trend with the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe—the boxy SUV is back!
With its new 3-row midsize Santa Fe, the automaker shifted from a rounded, aerodynamic look to a new take on the traditional boxy sport utility. The latest model looks equal parts road runner and off-roader; even Hyundai describes it as city-friendly and adventure-ready.
The new SUV offers big exterior style and a spacious cabin at a competitive price in the midsize SUV market. The new SE model starts at $35,365. There are five trim levels total, including the off-road-focused XRT at $42,015 and the top-of-the-line luxury Calligraphy model at $47,915. All prices include the $1,150 handling fee.
Let’s see what the fully loaded Hyundai Santa Fe offers.
Ready, Willing, and Able
When it comes to the powertrain, Hyundai keeps it simple: you get a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). This combination produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
The exception arises with the Santa Fe Hybrid, powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas-electric system developing 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid uses a 6-speed automatic transmission. The gas and the hybrid versions work well with the Santa Fe, but our test driver found that whether you’re talking rolling hills or wide-open highways, the gas-only powertrain was smoother — just like the shifts from the transmission.
Impressive Cabin
Hyundai’s designers sought to keep the interior clean and simple, benefitting from an obvious inspiration: the letter H. An H-shaped design motif is applied to the upper instrument panel and air vents, enhancing the cabin’s openness and highlighting its cohesive design balance.
Hyundai pushed to make the interior an eco-friendly place, using environmentally conscious materials where it made sense. However, eco-friendly doesn’t mean cheap. The automaker impressively uses comfort features along with its cutting-edge eco-friendly materials.
The available first-row Relaxation Comfort seat with leg rest allows occupants to relax in a comfortable position that helps simulate a weightless experience. In the 6-passenger Calligraphy trim, the second-row power-reclining captain’s chairs provide extra comfort for rear passengers. Second-row power fold-and-dive seats add a cushion-angle adjustment, a world’s first for a second-row fold-and-dive seat.
Better Life Through Technology
Technology plays a critical role in the driving experience. The Santa Fe has a slew of advanced driver assistance technology to ensure the motoring experience is convenient and relaxing. It offers wireless phone charging for two phones, a USB-C terminal with a 27-watt charging rate and a third-row USB port is also at the ready.
In addition, there is an optional UV-C sterilization compartment for the top of the Santa Fe’s glove compartment. It provides ultraviolet light-based sterilization of frequently used items, such as cell phones, wallets, glasses, and similarly sized items. How often does a vehicle help prevent illness?
Plus, who doesn’t want a premium sound system these days? Thus, a Bose 12-speaker sound system is available. Additionally, Hyundai makes a biometric fingerprint reader available to lock certain functions when you hand the keys off to the valet.
The company has expanded Hyundai Pay to let you pay for things such as parking and gas safely inside the vehicle directly from the touchscreen. So, for example, there is no need to swipe a credit card at a nasty gas station keypad or risk your credit card getting skimmed by the reader.
See what other Santa Fe trim levels offer, or see 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe models for sale near you.