HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2023

INTRODUCTION

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe may not receive as much attention as the Korean brand's larger SUV lineup, but it remains a distinct member with desirable features. The mid-size Santa Fe, which sits between the compact Tucson and the three-row Palisade, has two rows of seating and multiple powertrain options. The standard engine is a 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-four; a 277-hp turbo four is optional, and it's our recommended buy. Both engines are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Santa Fe is also available with a 226-hp hybrid system and an EPA-rated 36 mpg in the city. The plug-in hybrid model has 260 horsepower, a combined MPGe rating of 76, and can travel 31 miles on electricity alone. With a low starting price and the comfortable 2023 Sante Fe is ranked in the middle of the pack in the world of mid-size SUVs, owing primarily to an especially snoozy base engine.

WHAT IS NEW IN 2023?

Aside from overhauled standard equipment, the Sante Fe does not change much for 2023. Hyundai removes the SEL Convenience package and changes the front fascia design, but this is all dependent on trim level. The SE and higher models now have acoustic-laminated front windows for improved sound insulation, as well as puddle lamps that illuminate the ground near the doors. The SEL now comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear sunshades, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and a 10.3-inch centre touchscreen. The latter is now standard on all hybrid models, as is an on-board navigation system that accepts over-the-air updates. Finally, Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous drive mode and a larger touchscreen are now regular on the plug-in hybrid.

Not just because it includes upscale options like leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats, but also because it is our favourite model in the lineup. Although these are lovely to have, the Limited is our top pick because it is the least expensive variant with the 277-hp turbocharged engine available. For driving fanatics like us, the performance—or lack thereof—of models with the base four-cylinder practically crawls to cruising speed.

PERFORMANCE - ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND OTHER

A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are now two of the four powertrain options for the Santa Fe. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower is the basic engine. The more potent 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which generates 277 horsepower, is an option for buyers. Both come with a discrete eight-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive as standard or all-wheel drive as an option. The hybrid variant only has a six-speed automatic transmission, produces 226 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, and includes all-wheel drive as standard. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric motor combine to produce 260 horsepower for the plug-in hybrid's powertrain. A gas-fed XRT variant with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder proved effective at our test track. slow, taking 9.6 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. We'd advise the turbocharged model if you're looking for a Santa Fe with a perkier acceleration. We achieved a brisk 6.0-second 60-mph pace during our test drive of a loaded Calligraphy model with the turbocharged four-cylinder. Other than that, the Santa Fe offers a comfortable and steady ride while performing daily tasks as well as just enough agility and steering feedback to please people who enjoy driving. The Chevy Blazer or Honda Passport are two options for SUV drivers seeking a more engaging experience of driving. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid Santa Fe can only tow up to 2000 pounds, but the gas-fed Santa Fe can pull up to 3500 pounds.

BATTERY LIFE, CHARGING, AND RANGE

According to the EPA, the 12.4 kWh battery pack in the plug-in hybrid Santa Fe allows for up to 31 miles of electric-only driving.

FUEL EFFICIENCY AND ACTUAL MPG

According to the EPA, the non-turbo four-cylinder Santa Fe will achieve up to 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Ratings for the optional turbocharged variant reach 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The hybrid vehicle received ratings of up to 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. As part of our extensive testing process, an all-wheel-drive Calligraphy test vehicle with the 2.5-liter turbo-four managed 27 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test at 75 mph. Visit the EPA website for more details regarding the Santa Fe's fuel efficiency.

STORAGE, COMFORT, AND THE INTERIOR

Instead than having trendy designs and high-end materials, Hyundai interiors are most renowned for their reliable construction and useful functionality. The Santa Fe nevertheless sports a stylish interior with a range of modern features, including as a digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and more. Small changes were made to the Santa Fe's interior layout last year to bring it more in line with the Palisade SUV, which is bigger and more opulent. The vehicle's most notable feature is the roomy passenger capacity in both rows, which is useful for lengthy road journeys. With the rear seats folded flat, we were able to fit 33 bags in total including 15 carry-on bags in the Santa Fe's roomy cargo area behind the back seat.

ACCESSIBILITY AND INFORMATION

Every Santa Fe offers a pleasurable entertainment experience thanks to its dashboard-topping 8.0- or 10.3-inch touchscreen that has user-friendly controls and appealing features. It offers a 630-watt, 12-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features, as well as optional wireless charging.

FEATURES FOR DRIVER ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY

Numerous driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, are included as standard equipment with the Santa Fe. Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for more details regarding the Santa Fe's crash test results. Important safety elements include:

Standard Automatic Emergency Braking And Forward Collision Warning

Standard Stop-And-Go Technology Integrated Into Adaptive Cruise Control

Lane-Keeping Assistance And The Common Lane-Departure Warning.

COVERAGE FOR WARRANTIES AND MAINTENANCE.

One of the greatest warranty programmes available is offered by Hyundai, and it features extensive powertrain coverage. Additionally, the business now provides free routine maintenance, outperforming well-known competitors like Toyota.

Five years or 60,000 miles are covered by the limited warranty.

10 years or 100,000 miles are covered under the powertrain warranty.

Free maintenance is provided 36,000 miles or 3 years.

SPECIFICATIONS

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT AWD

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $35,745/$36,340
Options: Calypso Red paint, $400; carpeted floor mats, $195

ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 152 in³, 2497 cm³
Power: 191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque: 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/12.0-in disc
Tires: Kumho Crugen Premium
235/60R-18 103H M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.9 in
Length: 188.4 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 67.3 in
Passenger Volume: 112 ft³
Cargo Volume: 36 ft³
Curb Weight: 3858 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 9.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 17.2 sec @ 82 mph
100 mph: 26.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 9.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.85 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 29 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 540 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 24/22/25 mpg

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2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED
$43,440 (base: $43,285)

ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement
152 in³, 2497 cm³
Power
277 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
311 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.6-in vented disc/12.0-in disc
Tires: Hankook Dynapro HP2, 235/55R-19 101H M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.9 in
Length: 188.4 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 66.3 in
Passenger volume: 113 ft³
Cargo volume: 36 ft³
Curb weight: 4060 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.0 sec
1/4 mile: 14.5 sec @ 99 mph
100 mph: 14.8 sec
120 mph: 23.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 131 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.81 g