Hyundai Santa Fe Crossover: A Comprehensive Review of Features, Performance, and Value

The Hyundai Santa Fe crossover is a well-rounded midsize SUV that combines practicality with modern styling. Its bold exterior design features a cascading grille, sleek LED lighting, and aerodynamic lines, giving it a distinctive presence on the road. Inside, the Santa Fe offers a spacious and upscale cabin with premium materials, intuitive controls, and advanced tech features. The vehicle seats up to five passengers comfortably, with ample legroom and headroom in both rows. Higher trims include luxury touches like Nappa leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Under the hood, the 2025 Santa Fe offers two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivering 277 horsepower. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and responsive acceleration. The available HTRAC all-wheel-drive system enhances traction and stability, making the Santa Fe capable of handling various road conditions. Fuel efficiency is competitive, with the base engine achieving an EPA-estimated 25 MPG combined, while the turbocharged variant offers slightly lower efficiency at 23 MPG combined.
Performance and Handling
The Hyundai Santa Fe delivers a balanced ride, with precise steering and a well-tuned suspension that absorbs road imperfections effectively. The turbocharged engine provides brisk acceleration, making highway merging and overtaking effortless. The Santa Fe also excels in towing, with a maximum capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. For those seeking a more engaging drive, the Sport mode sharpens throttle response and adjusts the transmission for quicker shifts.
Technology and Infotainment
The Santa Fe comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with higher trims offering a 10.25-inch display. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is available on premium trims, providing customizable displays and enhanced visibility. Other tech highlights include a head-up display, wireless charging, and a premium Bose audio system.
Safety Features
Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of driver-assistance technologies comes standard on the Santa Fe. This includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims add features like highway driving assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and a surround-view monitor. The Santa Fe has earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Comparison Table: Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Competitors
Feature | Hyundai Santa Fe | Toyota Highlander | Honda Pilot |
---|---|---|---|
Starting Price (USD) | $32,000 | $36,000 | $38,000 |
Engine Options | 2.5L, 2.5L Turbo | 2.4L Turbo, Hybrid | 3.5L V6 |
Max Horsepower | 277 | 265 | 280 |
Towing Capacity (lbs) | 3,500 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
Fuel Economy (MPG combined) | 25 | 24 | 22 |
Infotainment Screen Size | 8″ / 10.25″ | 8″ / 12.3″ | 7″ / 9″ |
For more information, visit Hyundai’s official website , Toyota’s official website , or Honda’s official website .