2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is just three years old yet there are already several newer Hyundais that have been introduced after it. It remains a compelling buy, and it's set to get even more attention if only because Hyundai is a bit on a roll now. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a value offering that offers a sizable midsize SUV at compact German SUV pricing. The best thing about it is that it doesn't feel like a budget offering. It has an upmarket interior and a sweet range of gas-only engines delivering between 191 and 281 horsepower. You can even have it as a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, with the latter's power specs nearly matching the gas-only turbo model. It's a strong competitor for other SUVs like the Honda Passport and Kia Sorento. Still, even fans of upmarket German SUVs like the Audi Q5 should look this way if they want to reduce car premiums without losing out on that luxury feel.

Hyundai's current design language works beautifully on crossovers and SUVs, and the same applies to this new Hyundai SUV. The LEDs, indicators, and hidden main headlights make for a bold front appearance. From the rear, it's a bit generic, while the side is spruced up by stunning alloy wheel designs. All models get LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and high-beam assist. From the Limited trim upwards, you get projector LED headlights and LED taillights. The base SE and SEL get 18-inch alloys, while the Limited gets 19-inch wheels. The top-spec Calligraphy introduces a handsome set of 20-inch alloy wheels. A panoramic sunroof is standard on Limited and Calligraphy trims.

The Santa Fe's overall length is 188.4 inches, riding on a 108.9-inch wheelbase. The width excluding the mirrors is 74.8 inches, and it's 66.3 to 67.4 inches tall, depending on the fitment of roof rails. Those dimensions have allowed Hyundai to free up a lot of passenger and cargo space. With such a broad range of engines and drivetrain options, the curb weight varies wildly. An entry-level SE with the naturally aspirated engine and FWD weighs 3,649 pounds, while a top-spec hybrid with AWD weighs 4,226 lbs. The Santa Fe used to be sold as a seven-seater known as the Santa Fe XL, but Hyundai ditched this option a few years ago. It proved to be a smart move, as this large body now has enough space for five people and loads of cargo.

The gas-powered Santa Fe is available in seven colors and most won't cost anything extra. The entire color palette is also available across the range. Available hues include Hampton Gray, Shimmering Silver, Twilight Black, Stormy Sea, Portofino Gray, Quartz White, and Calypso Red. The last two colors carry a price tag of $400. The hybrid's color palette is more reserved and consists of Quartz White, Twilight Black, Shimmering Silver, Portofino Gray, and Lagoon Blue.

Hyundai has some limitations when it comes to exterior and interior colors, though. Not all the interior color options are available with the upholstery options mentioned further down.

There are four engine options to choose from in the 2022 Santa Fe lineup. The SE and SEL models are equipped with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Limited and Calligraphy models get the same motor but with a turbocharger bolted to it which produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. These ICE models come standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available across the range.

The hybrid models are only available in AWD format. The hybrid consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine working in conjunction with a single electric motor for a total of 226 hp. In the PHEV, the combined power output is 261 hp, nearly matching the Santa Fe turbo. Each engine is mated to a different gearbox. The NA 2.5-liter is coupled to an eight-speed torque converter automatic, while the turbocharged derivative is bolted to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Hybrid models are equipped with a six-speed automatic. Hyundai doesn't provide performance figures for obvious reasons, but if you were wondering, independent tests have shown that the turbocharged model can get from 0-60 mph in six seconds. There are no top speed figures either, but all models are capable of comfortably cruising at the legal speed limit.

The Santa Fe's towing capacity is on the low side, though. The naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter and the hybrid can tow a maximum of 2,000 lbs, while the turbocharged model can manage 3,500 lbs. To put that in perspective, the Honda Passport can handle 5,000 lbs in AWD format. There is also some overlap in pricing with the bigger Ford Explorer, and in base format, it can tow 5,300 lbs.

The only weak link in the engine range is the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine, and only if you're the kind of person who likes to accelerate briskly rather than at a leisurely pace. The 2.5-liter engine sans turbo produces 191 hp at 6,100 rpm and 181 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The late arrival of the torque makes it feel slightly sluggish, but the eight-speed automatic transmission does its absolute best to get the most out of it.

Bolting a turbocharger to the engine increases the power output to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Oddly, that full whack of torque also only arrives at 4,000 rpm. Thankfully, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is rapid and eager to gear down. Add the AWD system, and this SUV will surprise a few fast cars off the line.

The hybrid powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-pot producing 178 hp at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Hyundai then adds an electric motor producing an additional 59 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The latter is only available from zero to 1,600 rpm, which means it fills in the torque gap low down. Hyundai claims the combined power output is 226 hp. The PHEV has a similar setup but a more powerful electric motor; its combined output is 261 hp.

All of the available gearboxes are at the top of their game, and there isn't a single bad one amongst them. If anything, the six-speed mated to the NA is perhaps too eager to gear down, which increases fuel consumption. The NA engine is not particularly happy when you expect it to accelerate hard. Still, the turbocharged and hybrid models are happy to pick up speed quickly when entering the freeway or during overtaking maneuvers.

It's pretty apparent that the suspension setup was tuned for comfort more than anything else. It does have light, responsive steering, and powerful brakes, however. That makes it easy to handle around town and a pleasure on the highway. It doesn't like being chucked into a corner, but that's hardly what it was built for. The main thing is that it provides a relaxing ride on all surfaces, and you need a reasonably big bump to upset the suspension.

Now that Hyundai introduced the adventure-ready XRT, it's worth discussing how the Santa Fe behaves off-road. Let's start with the obvious. The Santa Fe is not equipped with low-range gearing or any sort of differential lock. It has a basic HTRAC AWD system that activates the rear axle when the front wheels start slipping. That's ideal for snow and gravel, but not much more than that. The Santa Fe is easily defeated by a gravel road with a washboard surface, but it has all the necessary electronic nannies to keep it in a straight line. You can feel the rear-end go light, but the electronics interfere way before you even get a chance to start worrying about it. This applies to the FWD model as well. The only reason to opt for AWD is snow. For everything else, the FWD car is good enough.

There isn't a big gap between the naturally-aspirated model and the turbocharged derivative in terms of gas mileage. According to the EPA, the NA FWD model can manage 25/28/26 mpg city/highway/combined, while the AWD model can do 22/25/24 mpg. The turbocharged models can do 22/28/25 mpg and 21/28/24 mpg in FWD and AWD respectively.

In hybrid guise, the Santa Fe can return 36/31/34 mpg city/highway/combined in the Blue trim, dropping to 33/30/32 mpg for other trims.

The show's real star is the new plug-in hybrid model, which can do around 30 miles on electricity alone. Once the battery is depleted, its combined fuel consumption drops down to 33 mpg, which is one mpg worse than the most frugal hybrid model. On both gas and electric power, it returns 76 MPGe combined.

ICE models are equipped with an 18.8-gallon fuel tank, the hybrid gets a 17.7-gallon tank, and PHEV variants can carry up to 12.4 gallons. In the best-case scenario, you're looking at a theoretical driving range of 488 miles for the ICE models. The Blue hybrid can go just over 600 miles on a full tank, which is mighty impressive. Charging times for the PHEV weren't available at the time of writing.

The interior of the Hyundai Santa Fe has an upmarket ambiance, even in base specification with cloth seats. It has the latest in connected technology and massive amounts of space for all passengers. In terms of quality, Hyundai has made huge strides in the last decade. The quality levels went from slightly below European rivals to matching them at a more affordable price. If there's one criticism of previous model years, it was the smattering of buttons on the center console. The Santa Fe's center console used to be scattered with buttons, but now it boasts the same minimalist interior found in the Palisade. There are fewer buttons and more usable storage space. Top models come with luxuries like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a Harman Kardon sound system.

The Santa Fe used to be offered as a seven-seater with a third row, but Hyundai dropped the option, and now it's only available with five seats. Since the two seats in the 3rd row were essentially worthless, we see this as a great move. This vehicle works much better as a five-seater with a massive trunk. Headroom all around is more than adequate for even taller folk, even with the panoramic roof. The legroom is very generous with 44.1 inches in the front and 41.7 inches in the rear, and six-footers will feel relatively comfortable seated there. The driver has to make do with a seat that feels positioned a bit too high in relation to the steering wheel, and the roof pillars at the back partially obstruct the view out. Overall, this is still a very practical family vehicle.

SE and SEL models are only available with black, beige, and gray cloth seats inside. Once again, it's worth mentioning that you can't match all of the upholstery options mentioned above with all the available exterior colors. The Limited has a leather interior in the same colors, while the Calligraphy model lets you choose between black and Coquina Beige quilted premium Nappa leather. The Calligraphy also has a nice eco-suede microfiber headliner and quilted door panels. The new XRT only comes with a black interior. As for the hybrid and PHEV, the base Blue gets fabric, while the SEL Premium and Limited get leather. Only black and beige interiors are on offer here.

The Santa Fe was designed with hybridization in mind from the start, so the battery pack has no impact on the trunk space. With all five seats in place, the Santa Fe has 36.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Once you fold the 60/40 split rear seats flat, the available space increases to 72.1 cubes. Upper trim levels have a power-release folding function for the second row.

Interior storage is better thanks to the changes made to the center console recently. Now that it's less cluttered, there's an additional storage space below the floating console. In the center console, there are two cupholders - one concealed and one open - and a slot for your phone to be wirelessly charged for models equipped with this feature. The storage compartment underneath the center armrest is usefully deep, and the door pockets are big enough for large water bottles. Rear passengers get two cupholders hidden in the middle rear seatback.

The SE model comes standard with a six-way manually-adjustable driver's seat, manual air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a rearview camera, and a 4.2-inch digital display in the instrument cluster. The SEL trim adds an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, wireless charging, and keyless entry with a push-button start. The Limited trim adds multiple luxury features like an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a surround-view monitor, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The top-spec Calligraphy gets a head-up display and expanded interior accent lighting. Every Santa Fe comes with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and driver attention warning. With a few differences here and there, the three hybrid trims closely match the trims of the ICE models. However, there is no Calligraphy trim offered in hybrid guise.

SE, SEL, and Blue (hybrid) models are equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity. These models also have front/rear USB ports. In addition, the Blue and SEL have HD Radio. The SEL Premium (hybrid), Limited, and Calligraphy trims get a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen which adds navigation with live traffic updates. The eight-inch system is mated to a basic six-speaker sound system. At the same time, the more extensive interface is connected to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system with Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology. In other words, your collection of golden oldies will sound just as good as the more modern albums on your smartphone. It's worth pointing out that while the top trims with the bigger touchscreen also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it's wired, not wireless as is the case with the more basic system.

The 2020 Santa Fe didn't suffer a single recall, but the 2021 model was recalled three times. Issues included a fuel leak at a pipe connection, a fuel pipe not tightened correctly, and the occupant detection system not functioning correctly. The 2022 model has only been on sale for a short time, but it has already been recalled once for the leaky fuel pipe connection.

Hyundai is exceptionally generous when it comes to warranties. The basic warranty is for five years/60,000 miles, while the powertrain is covered by a ten-year/100,000-mile warranty. Roadside assistance runs for five years regardless of how much you drive, while the anti-perforation warranty is also unlimited by mileage covered and runs for seven years. The hybrid/electric battery comes with a ten-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The NHTSA's crashworthiness review of the Santa Fe returned a five-star overall safety rating for both the gas and hybrid variants. It also scored five stars in all the sub-categories, apart from a four-star score in the rollover test. The PHEV has not yet been rated. The IIHS gave the 2022 Santa Fe a Top Safety Pick + award, but this is only applicable to cars built after July 2021.

The Hyundai Santa Fe SUV is equipped with multiple traditional and driver assistance safety features. All models get six airbags, traction and stability control, ABS, tire pressure monitoring, and a rearview camera. Standard driver assistance features include blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian/cyclist/junction detection, smart cruise control with stop & go, lane-keep assist, safe exit warning, lane following assist, and driver attention warning. From the Limited trim and up, the Santa Fe gets remote smart parking, front/rear parking sensors, a highway driving assistant, a blind-spot view monitor, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and a 360-degree camera system. Only the Calligraphy benefits from a head-up display. The hybrids once again closely mimic the ICE models' features, although even the base Blue gets ultrasonic rear occupant alert.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a good SUV, but not a great one. It doesn't have one unique selling point you can point at, which will make its life extremely difficult. The problem is not the car but rather the segment and price range it competes in. There are a plethora of capable SUVs for sale in the $30,000 to $45,000 price bracket. For roughly the same price, you can get the larger Hyundai Palisade or the Kia Telluride. Kia's version of the Santa Fe, the Sorento, is also newer, and that's before you get to Japanese rivals like the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander. Similarly priced US rivals include the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Ford Explorer, and even the all-new Ford Bronco Sport. We do like the hybrid's exceptional fuel consumption, affordable price, and quality. Not to mention the stellar warranty, which proves that Hyundai has lots of faith in its products. The Santa Fe is perhaps perfect for non-gearheads who simply want an affordable, dependable SUV that will get them where they need to go in comfort. We think the Santa Fe is a good car, but there are better options out there.

The entry-level SE has an MSRP of $27,200, increasing to $29,000 for the SEL. The new Hyundai Santa Fe will cost $32,300 in flashy XRT guise. The Limited trim represents a giant leap in pricing, retailing for $38,960. A top-spec Calligraphy will cost you $40,960. Adding AWD is an additional $1,700 on all models.

Hybrid models all come standard with AWD; the base Blue costs $33,750, while the SEL Premium goes for $37,810. In Limited trim, the hybrid retails for $40,160. Finally, the new plug-in hybrid costs $39,350 for the SEL Convenience and $45,360 for the top-end Limited.

All 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe models are subject to a destination charge of $1,185 in the USA.

There are several models to choose from within the new Santa Fe SUV range. The ICE models are available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. On the hybrid side, you can choose between Blue, SEL Premium and Limited trims. The PHEV models come in two trims, the SEL Convenience and Limited. The SE, SEL, and XRT trims are only available with the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed gearbox, whereas the Limited and Calligraphy use the more powerful 2.5-liter turbo mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. On the gas-only models, FWD is standard and AWD is an option. The hybrids use a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and an electric motor.

The SE trim comes with LED headlights, manual air conditioning, and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment center with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with forward collision avoidance with pedestrian/cyclist/junction detection, intelligent cruise control with stop & go, lane keep assist, lane following assist, and driver attention warning.

Choosing the SEL trim adds a proximity key with push-button start, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, wireless charging, and roof rails.

The new XRT is a cosmetic upgrade for customers who like the idea of a bolder appearance. It adds black lower fascia trim front and rear, dark silver skid plates, side steps, 18-inch dark tone wheels, a dark finish grille, black side mirror covers, and body-colored door handles.

The Limited trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels, park distance control front and rear, LED projector headlamps, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a surround-view monitor, remote smart parking, and rain-sensing wipers.

The Blue hybrid matches the SEL trim plus adds the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, all-wheel drive, 17-inch alloy wheels, and rear parking sensors. The hybrid models also come with a tire repair kit instead of a spare.

The SEL Premium hybrid comes standard with everything included in the SEL and Blue trims but adds 19-inch alloy wheels and the Premium Package as standard. This package is optional on the regular gas SEL, and consists of leather seats, an eight-way power passenger seat, a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lights, the 10.25-inch touchscreen interface with navigation, a highway driving assistant, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Sharing the same features as the Limited in the gas lineup, the hybrid Limited gets a hybrid tailgate badge.

The top-spec Calligraphy adds model-specific 20-inch alloy wheels, a premium-look grille, quilted Nappa leather seats, a more exuberant interior ambient lighting system, and a head-up display. The Calligraphy will be discontinued at some stage, but for now, it's still live on Hyundai's configurator.

The ICE SEL trim is the only model to have two available optional packages. The $1,700 Convenience Package adds a hands-free power tailgate, dual-zone climate control, a digital key, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and puddle lamps, to name just a few. The Premium Package adds $4,060 to the price but requires adding the Convenience Package as well. It includes leather seats, an eight-way power front passenger seat, a Harman Kardon sound system, the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen interface, a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lights, and a highway driving assistant.

The Limited models are the most appealing. With the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, it costs $38,960, while the hybrid retails for $40,160. Since the Santa Fe isn't a serious off-roader, we'd go the hybrid route. The 33/30/32 mpg claimed fuel consumption is just too good to ignore. The FWD model is more than capable unless you live in a cold-weather state and need the extra grip provided by the AWD system. We know the MSRP is high compared to some rivals, but the top-spec models come with everything included already. All you need to do is select a color, and you're good to go.

The Santa Fe and Sorento are essentially the same car with the same engine options. There are notable differences to help choose between the two, however. The Sorento is newer and, to our eyes, the more handsome of the two. Styling is subjective, so we'd instead focus on the areas that matter. The Sorento hybrid is more frugal, managing 39/35/37 mpg compared to the Santa Fe's best of 36/31/34 mpg. You can also have the Sorento with 3rd-row seating, though we don't think it adds anything to the package. Like the Santa Fe, the Sorento is also handsomely equipped across the range. Finally, at $29,490, the base Sorento is more expensive than the base Santa Fe. The top-spec EX hybrid retails for $38,290, which is a healthy saving over the Santa Fe hybrid Limited's $40,160 price. The Santa Fe is a great SUV but we'd pick the newer Sorento instead.

The Tucson is one of the latest Hyundai products, and it's a sensational car. It has an exciting exterior and a beautifully crafted interior. In a battle between the Santa Fe vs the Tucson, can the older and more conservative model match its stylish little brother? The Santa Fe is a size up from the Tucson, but it's not as clear-cut as that. While the Santa Fe has a 108.9-inch wheelbase, the Tucson's 108.5-inch wheelbase isn't that behind. The differences in headroom and legroom are hardly worth mentioning, but we should take a closer look at the cargo capacity. The Santa Fe has 36.4 cubes, and the Tucson has even more. ICE and hybrid models have over 41 cubes with both rows in place, while the plug-in hybrid still offers 31.9 cubes. Essentially, you're not giving anything up when it comes to space. The Tucson is also more affordable, another factor that makes it our choice in this match-up.