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The Hyundai Santa Fe is a large SUV that promises unrivalled seven-seat practicality and comfort. Does it live up to the billing? Dan Powell finds out.
Things you'll like
- Head-turning style
- Seven-seat practicality
- Premium cabin quality
Things to consider
- Ride quality can be firm at low speeds
- Petrol engine is vocal under heavy acceleration
- Some rivals are cheaper to buy new
What is the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a seven-seat SUV, design for car buyers who want a large family car without the premium price tag.
Going up against the Volvo XC90, Land Rover Discovery and Skoda Kodiaq, the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the most distinctive-looking family cars you can buy.
Indeed, the Santa Fe looks like something that has come straight from a sci-fi movie set with its angular design and H-light LEDs catching the eye. The bold and boxy body shape is similar to that of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Under the metal the Santa Fe shares its mechanical underpinning with the Kia Sorento, which means it majors on low running costs, ease of use and everyday practicality.
All versions of the Santa Fe get three rows of seats and a high level of standard equipment. You also get the choice of hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power.
Both of the Santa Fe’s powertrains are linked to a 1.6-litre petrol engine that promises low running costs and affordable company car tax (particularly if you opt for the PHEV model).
The Santa Fe represents strong value for money, especially when you compare it against the premium front-runners in the large SUV market. You also get added peace of mind with Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty, which is only bettered by Kia’s seven-year/100,000 mile cover.
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe good enough to rival the best large SUVs you can buy right now? Read on to find out.
Verdict: is the Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a brilliant seven-seat SUV. Spacious, comfortable and efficient, it remains faithful to its core DNA while adding generous helpings of style and refinement. Running costs should be low, thanks to the efficient hybrid powertrains, while Hyundai’s long warranty provides peace of mind for family car buyers in need of a dependable large SUV.
Pricing, specs & rivals
Prices for the Hyundai Santa Fe (June 2025) start at £47,890 for the hybrid and £51,995 for the plug-in hybrid. That’s £17,560 less than entry-level Volvo XC90 and £15,885 cheaper than the entry-level Land Rover Discovery.
The Santa Fe is available in three trim levels – Premium, Ultimate and Calligraphy. The entry-level trim is generously equipped with LED lighting, electric front seats, leather interior, lumber adjustment a 12-inch touchscreen display and a powered tailgate fitted as standard.
We think the Ultimate trim is the best for a premium ambience without inflating the price too much. It adds twin sunroofs, a head-up driver’s display and a Bose sound system. You also get ventilated front seats and two-way electric lumber adjustment for the driver’s seat.
The range-topping Santa Fe in Calligraphy trim includes Nappa leather, fully reclining ‘relaxation seats’ and black 20-inch alloy wheels (all other cars come with 20-inch silver alloys).
If the Sante Fe’s is too expensive for your budget, it’s worth noting that the seven-seat version of the Skoda Kodiaq starts from £39,000 with the 1.5-litre petrol engine, while the entry-level Volkswagen Tayron that features the same 1.5 petrol engine is available from £41,130.
However, while both Kodiaq or Tayron are available as plug-in hybrids, neither can be ordered with seven-seats in that form.
Rivals
The Hyundai Santa Fe competes with a number of large seven-seat SUVS, which includes the Volvo XC90, Land Rover Discovery, Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008. You may also want to consider the Nissan X-Trail or the Kia Sorento, with the latter sharing much of its mechanical underpinnings with the Santa Fe.
If you need seven-seats but want don’t want an SUV then there are van-based alternatives. The Volkswagen Multivan and Mercedes-Benz V-Class offer excellent space and seven-seat practicality.
Hyundai Santa Fe: Interior comfort, quality & technology
The interior of the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe represents a significant leap forward from the previous version.
The cabin has lots of soft-touch and plush materials, while the build quality and premium feel is pretty much on par with anything you’ll find in the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90.
The driving position is excellent with plenty of electric seat adjustment that makes it easy to get comfortable. The leather wrapped steering wheel is chunky and easy to use, while the front cubby box has a padded top that doubles up as an arm rest for the driver and front passenger.
Those in the middle row get the best deal for comfort, however, with lot of head and legroom. Getting in and out is also a doddle, thanks to the Santa Fe’s large rear doors. The middle row can also slide back and forth to maximise legroom or boot space.
The third row of seats are stored below the boot floor. Accessing them is easy, with the seats lifting upwards.Both provide ample head and legroom for two medium-sized adults on a moderate journey. Admittedly, there is not as much legroom as you’d find in the third row of the Land Rover Discovery, but the Santa Fe has more space than the Kodiaq and X-Trail.
Most versions of the Santa Fe get seven-seats as standard, while the Calligraphy model is offered as a six-seater with a pair of fully reclining seats across the middle row - similar to those found in the front of the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity
The clutter-free and minimalist dashboard of the Santa Fe features a pair of 12.3-inch colour screens that house the vehicle’s instruments and infotainment system. The driver’s display can be customised, and it is easy to read on the move thanks to the glare-free coating on the screen.
The infotainment system is also simple to use, thanks to clear icons and a logical menu system with prompt screen changes.
You can also use most of the in-car features via buttons on the steering wheel or voice control. You also get buttons to access core features, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard across the Sante Fe range, too.
A 6.6-inch climate control screen and a pair of dials sit below the infotainment system. This means you don’t have to scroll through lots of screens to make simple changes to temperature or adjust the direction of the air flow.
Ultimate and Calligraphy models get a Bose sound system, which provides crisp audio quality with powerful bass that will appeal to anyone who enjoys music on their travels.
A head-up driver display is also fitted, displaying key metrics (speed, route directions) on the bottom corner of the screen.
The interior features at least one wireless phone charging pad while high spec models get a pair of chargers. Six USB-C charging ports are also dotted around the cabin for charging mobile devices and tablets.
How practical is the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Measuring 4.83m in length and 1.90m wide, the Santa Fe is shorter than both the Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90.
However, despite its smaller dimensions, the Santa Fe is a large and practical car. Family car buyers will enjoy the abundance of space and storage across all three rows of seats.
The second row comfortably accommodates three large adults while the third is perfect for children and teenagers. Passengers get cup holders and USB-C charging sockets across all three rows.
Storage and boot space
The Hyundai Santa Fe is extremely practical. According to Hyundai, the six and seven-seater configuration provides 628 litres in the hybrid variant and 621 litres in the plug-in hybrid.
With the third row of seats lowered into the boot floor, you get 711 litres in the hybrid model and 704 litres in the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
That isn’t as much as the 922 litres you get in the Land Rover Discovery or 845 litres you will find in the Skoda Kodiaq, but the wide body and high roofline make the Hyundai suitable for large suitcase, bulky items or up to three road bikes with the front wheels removed.
The area between the front seats has a large tray for loose items and high spec versions of the Santa Fe get a pair of smartphone charge pads with a built-in cooling fan to prevent overheating.
The cubby box has a large compartment and two-way opening so it can be opened by either the driver or passenger. The glovebox is a good-size and high spec models get a tray that uses UV light to sterilize things like smartphones and wallets.
Performance & drive: What is the Hyundai Santa Fe like on the road?
The hybrid and plug-in hybrid Santa Fe use a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The hybrid is available with front- or four-wheel drive, while the PHEV is four-wheel drive only.
All versions of the Santa Fe will cover 0-62mph in under 10 seconds – ample for most needs, but some way short of the performance offered by more expensive rivals.
The hybrid version develops a total output of 212hp while the plug-in hybrid produces 249hp. Both versions provide 265Nm of torque from 1500-3500rpm, which means the Santa Fe has plenty of low-gear acceleration that makes it suitable for towing a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to 1110kg.
The four-wheel drive system features an advanced traction control system, which intelligently controls the driving force of the front and rear wheels, adapting to various driving conditions such as snow, rain, and sharp curves.
A terrain mode allows the driver to configure the system for snow, mud and sand. However, the Santa Fe doesn’t have a diff-lock or a low-ratio transmission which means it is unlikely to match the Land Rover Discovery for off-road ability.
Power, 0-62mph times
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: 212hp / 9.6 seconds
Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid: 249hp / 9.3 seconds
Ride and handling
The Hyundai Santa Fe drives well for a car of its size. The steering is light and accurate while there is no shortage of grip, which means the Santa Fe can tackle twisty roads without problem.
Motorway refinement is excellent, with the Sante Fe wafting along with low engine, wind and road noise. Body control is also good with minimal body lean in all but the tightest of corners or roundabouts.
At low speeds, the suspension can become a little unsettled over potholes and rough surfaces, but this is an issue that affects many large SUVs. Otherwise, for the most part, the Santa Fe is a calm and comfortable road companion.
Noise and refinement
Despite its brick-like design, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a smooth and refined SUV to travel in. Road and wind noise are well supressed while the sophisticated hybrid system runs in the background with minimal noise.
The only time the serenity is broken is when you accelerate hard, with the 1.6-litre petrol engine becoming vocal under heavy power – but this is something that is true for all petrol hybrid SUVs
Euro NCAP: is the Hyundai Santa Fe a safe car?
Hyundai Santa Fe has been crashed-tested by Euro NCAP, with four stars awarded for the entry-level Premium model and five stars for the Ultimate and Calligraphy versions which feature a ‘safety pack’.
The ‘safety pack’ in question is Hyundai’s SmartSense+ system, which is an optional extra on Premium trim and fitted as standard on all other models. It upgrades the autonomous safety tech with automatic emergency breaking, improved adaptive cruise control and a sophisticated blind spot monitoring system.
Fuel economy and running costs
Despite its colossal size, the Santa Fe should not break the bank when it comes to running costs. According to Hyundai’s official figures, the self-charging hybrid will return 38-41mpg while the plug-in hybrid will provide up to 166mpg.
Obviously, it goes almost without saying, the Santa Fe plug-in hybrid will not get anywhere near its claimed 166mpg without regular charging and relatively short journeys. However, if you can plug your car in at home or work and stay within its EV range (33 miles) then it should be cheap to run.
If you do not want to mess around with plugs and cables, the front-wheel drive Santa Fe hybrid is the most efficient powertrain with an official 41.5mpg. That compares well against the Volvo XC90 petrol hybrid (32.8mpg) and Land Rover Discovery diesel hybrid (33.9mpg).
What is more, you get Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty, which provides peace of mind that you’ll be covered if anything serious go awry with the Santa Fe.
Hyundai Santa Fe: electric range and charging
The Santa Fe plug-in hybrid will cover around 33 miles on a full charge from its 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery. That's some way behind the Peugeot 5008, which will manage up to 50 miles.
A full charge will take four hours from a wallbox or seven hours from a three-pin plug, The charging rate of the battery is rated at 3.6kW.
The Sante Fe plug-in hybrid will be an appealing choice for those with a EV charger at home or work, while company car drivers will no doubt appreciate the 13% company car tax/Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) banding.
How much does the Hyundai Santa Fe cost to insure?
The Hyundai Santa Fe starts in insurance group 35 for the hybrid version with front-wheel drive and group 36 for the all-wheel drive model.
The plug-in hybrid starts in group 38 and rises to group 39 for the range-topping Calligraphy trim level.
In comparison, the Land Rover Discovery starts in group 40 while the Volvo XC90 enters at group 38.
Hyundai Santa Fe FAQs
When did Hyundai change the Santa Fe model?
The fifth-generation Santa Fe was launched in 2024. This model replaced the fourth-generation Santa Fe, which went on sale in 2018.
How much can the Hyundai Santa Fe tow?
The fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is a hybrid SUV that can tow up to 1110kg when connected to a braked trailer or caravan. This towing figure applies to the front- four-wheel drive versions of the fifth-generation Santa Fe and includes the plug-in hybrid model.
How many seats are in the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Most versions of the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe get seven seats. The only exception is the Calligraphy model, which is offered as a six-seater.
