2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Review: A Serene and Efficient Family Cruiser in the 3-Row Crossover Arena

Critique: The reimagined 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid brings tranquility to the 3-row crossover segment

Hyundai's 2024 version of the Santa Fe presents a bold makeover of the company’s established SUV line. This midsize crossover now comfortably accommodates three rows as a standard offering. It hit the market equipped with the usual gas engine and an available hybrid variant, attractively set at a mere $500 premium.

Towards the end of August, we got the opportunity to take the 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid for a spin amidst the undulating terrain near Santa Barbara, just a few hours north of Los Angeles. Our impression of the new Santa Fe Hybrid is that it's exceptionally functional and offers a comfortable experience. If we were to choose between the two engines available in this fresh crossover, the hybrid would take the top spot for its seamless operation and superior fuel economy.

Considering the modest additional cost, it's anticipated that the Hybrid will be popular with budget-conscious families who recognize the financial benefits of an EPA combined fuel economy rating in the mid-30s, compared to one in the low- to mid-20s. As car manufacturers strive to adhere to the stringent emissions standards set for vehicles between 2026 and 2035, Hyundai is evidently placing its bets on competitively priced hybrids as part of their strategy to comply with these regulations. While Hyundai continues to expand its range of electric vehicles, hybrids are becoming an increasingly common choice for consumers of its Tucson model in the highly contested compact crossover market. It's likely we'll see a similar trend with the midsize Santa Fe model.

2025 Model of Hyundai Santa Fe

Could that be a Land Rover?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its bold new design, is becoming a familiar sight on streets in both urban and residential areas. This latest model marks a significant shift from its predecessors, adopting a boxier look that has drawn comparisons to Land Rovers and similar rugged SUVs. This design is turning heads even in areas like California, where people are accustomed to a variety of cars. Hyundai has managed to achieve an impressive drag coefficient of 0.294 for the Santa Fe, a notable feat considering its broad and angular build. For context, the Subaru Outback has a drag coefficient of 0.34. This indicates that Hyundai has found innovative ways to reduce the impact of air resistance on fuel efficiency.

Within the interior, the spacious and breezy atmosphere is accentuated by Hyundai's latest dashboard layout, which features a pair of 12.3-inch displays set across an expansive horizontal shelf. This design debuted in the Ioniq 5, an electric hatchback SUV, and has since been adopted across various Hyundai vehicles, including the electric Ioniq 6 sedan and the updated 2025 Tucson small SUV.

The latest hybrid engine features a 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine that works in sync with a standard 6-speed automatic gearbox. Sandwiched between the engine and the gearbox is an electric motor that generates 64 horsepower, drawing energy from a 1.5-kwh lithium-ion battery. The hybrid system delivers a combined power of 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. However, unlike its compact cousin, the Tucson, it does not come with a plug-in hybrid option.

2025 Model of Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe Hybrid's performance is more spirited compared to its gasoline counterpart. This hybrid model has the same engine setup as the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. However, it's a larger, heftier car. In comparison to the Tucson Hybrid's fairly rapid response in various driving conditions, the Santa Fe Hybrid isn't quite as swift. In the realm of three-row SUVs, its acceleration is standard, while the non-hybrid version seemed rather sluggish when tested by this journalist earlier in March. Hyundai hasn't released any official acceleration metrics, and we weren't able to conduct proper testing of this during our time with the vehicle.

The latest Santa Fe model showcases impressive capabilities in reducing noise, ensuring that the sounds from the engine are significantly subdued. This creates an environment where occupants might not even be aware that they're in a hybrid vehicle. The sound of the engine turning on is barely detectable, and the shifts between different power sources are smooth and unobtrusive. This highlights the extensive work that Hyundai's engineers have put into perfecting their single-motor hybrid technology over the span of more than a decade since its debut.

Experiencing the large SUV changing gears while the "EV" indicator remains on might confuse those accustomed to fully electric vehicles, which naturally don't have gears to engage. Hyundai's design requires the engine speed to align with the vehicle speed, a necessary compromise, but it importantly allows the Santa Fe Hybrid to operate on electric power during mild high-speed or highway driving. Hyundai claims this approach offers an optimal mix of power and fuel economy for the common highway-centric driving patterns in the U.S. It was often unexpected to glance at the dashboard and notice the hybrid Santa Fe cruising in "EV" mode, even at highway velocities or while ascending slight inclines.

The paddle located on the right side behind the steering wheel can be utilized to enhance the regenerative braking system as the car halts. Additionally, there is an automatic regeneration setting. This setting employs the Santa Fe's built-in sensors, including cameras and radar, to modify the amount of energy recaptured depending on the road conditions it detects, such as a decelerating car in front. The frequent traffic on California's highways meant it was constantly adapting.

Hyundai typically prioritizes a smooth ride over gripping the road tightly, and this holds true for the Santa Fe model. For everyday driving, one can expect a serene and cozy experience. However, when we put it through its paces on winding roads with uneven terrain, it seemed to jostle around more than we anticipated. Nevertheless, this probably won't be an issue for suburban families primarily using it for dropping kids at school or for shopping trips.

The 2025 model of the

EPA assessments indicate a fuel efficiency of either 34 or 36 miles per gallon collectively. The construction quality of our Santa Fe Hybrid, crafted in Montgomery, Alabama, was commendable, offering a genuinely enjoyable experience for occupants. Comprehensive information on the cabin space, seat configurations, safety scores, and an array of both standard and additional amenities is available in our analysis of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup.

Regarding the hybrid's primary advantage of improved gas mileage, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has been evaluated by the EPA and boasts a combined fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon for the model with front-wheel drive and 34 miles per gallon for the variant equipped with all-wheel drive. This represents a significant improvement compared to the fuel economy of the standard gasoline versions, which achieve a combined mileage of 22 to 24 miles per gallon.

The upcoming Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid for 2024 is available in three different models: SEL, Limited, and the premium Calligraphy. The base model SEL is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels and an adjustable driver's seat. The Limited model steps it up with larger 20-inch wheels, and includes added features like wipers that automatically sense rain, a two-panel sunroof, a powered seat for the front passenger, heated seats in the back, and a variety of ambient lighting options inside. The Calligraphy, being the most luxurious option, offers seats made of nappa leather that come with a massage feature for added comfort, a tray that sterilizes using ultraviolet light (a feature that prompted a company official to quip about its pandemic-era design), a display projected onto the windshield for the driver, and several extra design touches that enhance its overall look.

The base model of the Santa Fe Hybrid SEL is priced at $38,615. If you opt for the Limited model, it will cost an additional $6,900. The Hybrid Calligraphy edition is priced at $48,665, excluding any additional features. For any model, selecting all-wheel drive will cost an extra $1,800. These prices all account for the required $1,415 shipping charge.

Hyundai covered the costs of flights, accommodation, and food allowing Green Car Reports to conduct and share their experience of this test drive review.

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