The Hyundai Santa Fe is a standout SUV in the crowded UK market. With its bold and visually arresting exterior design, the Santa Fe is sure to catch the eye. Chief designer SangYup Lee aimed to reflect the growing popularity of the “outdoors culture” in the car’s design, and it shows. The new Santa Fe is larger and boxier than its predecessor, giving it a more rugged and practical look.
Not only does the Santa Fe look the part, but it also offers a spacious and comfortable interior. The layout has been completely redesigned to maximize space and comfort, with up to seven seats available. This makes it a great choice for families who need plenty of room. Hyundai is even capitalizing on the trend of campers sleeping in their cars by offering a versatile and comfortable space for sleeping in the Santa Fe.
The Santa Fe’s bold design and practicality are right on trend with the current popularity of square-edged, rugged SUVs. The Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco, two other recently released SUVs, also embrace this practical and square design. These cars are proving that practicality and squareness are in fashion right now.
One of the standout features of the Santa Fe is its electrified powertrain options. The range includes a 1.6-litre hybrid engine and a plug-in hybrid option. The hybrid engine produces 212bhp and 270lb ft of torque, while the plug-in hybrid offers a total output of 249bhp and an electric-only range of 33 miles. These powertrain options make the Santa Fe a frugal choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Santa Fe’s design continues to impress on the inside. The interior is spacious, practical, and filled with high-grade materials. The curved 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen are crisp and easy to use. The layout is intuitive, with rotary climate control dials and customizable switches for quick access to key functions. The Santa Fe can be ordered with five, six, or seven seats, and the boot size varies depending on the configuration.
When it comes to performance, the Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint. Both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions offer decent levels of performance. The PHEV version, in particular, pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a battery and electric motor for a total output of 249bhp. The Santa Fe handles its additional bulk well, with precise steering and a relaxed suspension that absorbs road imperfections with ease.
In terms of running costs, the Santa Fe offers competitive pricing, starting at just over £46,000 for the hybrid and just over £51,000 for the PHEV. The PHEV version has an official fuel economy rating of 166mpg, although real-world testing showed a more conservative figure of 47mpg. The electric-only range of the PHEV is shorter than some rivals, but it still establishes itself as a desirable option in its class.
Overall, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a practical, comfortable, and desirable SUV. Its modernized design, spacious interior, and frugal electrified powertrains make it a standout choice in the crowded market. While the electric-only range of the PHEV version may be a bit disappointing, the Santa Fe still offers plenty of value for those in need of a versatile and capable SUV.