Carmakers often modernize their vehicles, dispatching boxy for edgy or contoured designs. Not Hyundai. With its 2024 Santa Fe, the South Korean manufacturer has reverted to a square look for the sport utility vehicle’s debuting fifth generation.
Available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited and the reviewed Calligraphy trim, the Santa Fe is approaching its 25th anniversary. It was an outlier in its infancy, seeking a niche audience in the quickly expanding family hauler and utilitarian marketplace.
But the Santa Fe is now firmly part of the SUV establishment. Among the 65 SUVs sold in the United States in 2023, Hyundai had seven, including three in the top 20. The Tucson ranked fourth, the Santa Fe 16th, the Palisade 19th.
The Santa Fe lineup has a wide-ranging starting MSRP, from the base SEL ($35,365) to the Calligraphy ($48,300). The top-line trim rests just below the country’s average new vehicle price.
Hyundai defines value and quality throughout its lineup. The Santa Fe continues the carmaker’s reputation. All trims now feature a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder that produces 277 horsepower. It was previously an upgrade. Standard also is an eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on all trims for $1,800.
Acceleration from 0-to-60 miles per hour takes an EPA-estimated 7.0 seconds. Gas mileage averages are 20 miles per gallon in city driving, 28 mpg on the highway.
Manufacturers of three-row SUVs often don’t think much of rear-seat occupants. The Santa Fe’s third row isn’t spacious, but it’s not just for small people. And there are conveniences — climate controls, cup holders, USB phone chargers, vents and a 115-volt outlet.
Overall, the cargo room is superior with a maximum of 79.6 cubic feet of space with all rear rows folded flat. Cargo room is also impressive with different seat configurations, 40.5 cubic feet with the third row down, 14.6 cubic feet with all rows up.
The SUV’s newness is inside and outside, with the latter the most obvious; the body, the headlights and taillights, the nuances. Everything is shaped with an “H” design. The side view of the Santa Fe is shaped like an elongated H. Look down on the SUV and the roofline is shaped like an H. (Does the H pattern all over the vehicle stand for Hyundai?) Yes, overall, everything is boxy, but it’s box-like with an edge.
Comfort rules the occupants’ experience. The Santa Fe isn’t a sports car, so acceleration isn’t its strength. But at highway speeds, it’s an appreciably quiet and smooth cruiser. The decor is straightforward with lots of cup holders in the console and door panels.
A pass-through section for front-seat passengers is big enough for a purse, small ice chest or extra clothing. All rows of seats are well-built and comfortable. The Calligraphy trim has Nappa leather upholstery and a head-up display standard.
Two 12.3-inch displays fill most of the dashboard space. The requisite technology features are standard, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A UV-C sterilization unit is located in the glove compartment. Side-by-side charging pads are ideally located on the console.
The Santa Fe’s interior and exterior designs, the SUV’s comfort and cargo space is as impressive as any vehicle in its class. So it’s surprising there’s one disappointing set-up.
The shifter, a uniquely sized horizontal fob, rests low behind the ride corner of the steering wheel. It’s partially blocked by a small box that rests flush on the steering wheel that houses a volume control and other infotainment functions. The shifting mechanism is all about finesse while slightly twisting the fob. It’s just difficult to see and poses a potential substantial driver’s distraction.
Still, good for Hyundai. The new Santa Fe is anything but a status-quo SUV. It’s priced at just under $50,000 and should help further advance the carmaker’s advancing sales.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, also writes about sports, lifestyle and travel. Email: james@jamesraia.com.
