- The Santa Fe gains hybrid power, 36 mpg combined
- It outperforms the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Kia Sorento, and looks like a Land Rover
- The hybrid model costs only $500 more than the gas-only Santa Fe
A three-row crossover SUV with a hybrid powertrain may not be anything new, but with a stocky Land Rover look and an interior that puts the utility in an SUV, the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe 2025 Hybrid It stands head and shoulders above the dozens of other cars we’ve considered Best car to buy 2025.
New for the 2024 model year, it barely missed out on last year’s competition. Every year at The Car Connection, we drive over a hundred new vehicles and decide which ones set a new standard. We judge comfort, efficiency, refinement, performance and style, pick the winners and name the winners too. It exceeds the expectations and impressions of the other four finalists, including the Chevy Equinox EV and Subaru Forester.
How did he get to the top? First, the dramatic styling took over from the last generation Santa Fe. That car had a pleasing look and some decidedly upscale interior appointments. this? Its angular, stately charm bears little in common with cars from Land Rover and Rivian, priced tens of thousands of dollars less. It’s boxy, long, and demands attention where most large SUVs give up excitement in the name of utility. The in-car story is even stronger: The Santa Fe Hybrid features two 12.3-inch displays, one of which is a touchscreen that offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It sits atop harsh climate controls that refuse to be buried alive in layers of digital interface.
The wrap is pleasing, but the Santa Fe Hybrid’s powertrain piques our interest even more powerfully. The Santa Fe’s base 277-hp turbo-4 cedes the fuel economy wars to Hybrid with 231 hp. It is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo 4 and 6-speed automatic transmission with a 47.7 kW electric motor and a 1.5 kWh battery. In the Symphony, they put out 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, giving the car Three-row SUV Faster step off the line and more responsive power on tap than the Turbo-4. The hybrid trim coordinates seamlessly with the older gas trim, and can also be stimulated for stronger responses with Sport mode and paddle-controlled shifts. The Santa Fe also reclaims lost braking energy with four regenerative braking modes, which can recharge the battery or allow the hybrid powertrain to coast, while turning on battery power to keep it spinning efficiently.
Hyundai Santa Fe 2024 Hybrid
Hyundai Santa Fe 2024 Hybrid
Hyundai Santa Fe 2024 Hybrid
Hyundai Santa Fe 2024 Hybrid
Equipped in this way, the Santa Fe Hybrid can reach peak 36 mpg combined In EPA ratings. That’s a big nod in its favor – but so is the Santa Fe’s glowing cabin, which seats up to seven people, with impressive space and comfort reserved for those in the first and second rows. Interior decor is at an average level in the base model, but the Caligraphy features a truly luxurious cabin, equipped with leather upholstery, especially good adaptive cruise control, and heating and cooling for the driver and front passenger.
The Santa Fe has performed well so far in crash tests. All models get automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitors, while upper trim levels can be equipped with driver assistance that supports an attentive driver with additional assistance for braking, steering and long-distance driving.
Here’s what really catches our attention: The hybrid model costs just $500 more than a similarly equipped gas-only model. Recommended $38,615 Santa Fe Hybrid The SEL’s price rises to $48,865 for the Arabic Line, but in any trim, the extra gas mileage makes an offer no driver should refuse. Of course, Hyundai has an upcoming electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, which is a close relative of Kia’s EV9, which was Best car to buy 2024— but for those who aren’t quite ready to make the EV jump, the Santa Fe Hybrid makes a lot of sense.
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