2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT AWD: The Midsize SUV Wears A Land Roverish Design

 

Highlight: This is Hyundai’s first vehicle to monitor one’s eyes determining the alertness of the driver.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $42,205 (Base Model: $35,565)

Seating Capacity: 6 to 7

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; a blind spot collision rear cross traffic avoidance system; a rearview camera; forward collision brakes; lane keep assist system; a high beam assist system; a driver assistance warning system; a heated side mirrors with turn signals; blind spot collision avoidance assistance; temporary spare tire and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (SE): 18-inch tires; heated exterior mirrors; bodycolor front and rear bumper; body color door handle; rear spoiler; handsfree automatic liftgate; cloth seats; manual operated front seats; split second and third row seats; underfloor storage tray in third row; 12-in audio system; air condition; no third row air vents; a leather wrapped steering wheel;  a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a radar activated cruise control system with a stop and go feature; a remote engine start system

Standard Equipment (XRT): 18-inch all-terrain tires; side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators; roof rails; dark chrome and black trim elements and cladding; black rood rails; 1.5-inch of additional ground clearance available when equipped with towing package; a conventional power sunroof; pseudo leather seats; power driver’s seat; heated seats; 12-inch infotainment screen with a navigation system; a dynamic voice recognition; smartphone access to lock and unlock door and other features

Options: carpeted floor mats

Other Trim Levels:

SEL

XRT

Limited

Calligraphy

Standard Audio On Base Model: an audio system with AM/FM/HD

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine/277-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Towing: 3,500 lbs 

Standard Fuel Mileage: 19-city/26-hwy (Based on XRT)

What’s New: The rugged looking Santa Fe is all-new this year.

Why:

Land Rover-ish exterior design

A front wheel drive and an all-wheel drive configuration

Larger than the previous generation

Two powertrains available: Gasoline and hybrid

A variety of trims

Three rows of seating

A clean, but rugged looking interior layout

An optional 12-inch infotainment screen

20 and 21-inch wheels available

Leather seats available

Dual panoramic sunroof available

A Bose 12-speaker audio system

A navigation system available

Second row power operated captain chairs available

Ventilated and heated seats available

The optional digital mirror allows the driver to see behind the vehicle even if the cargo area leads to an obstructed view

Wireless charging

A high level of safety driving aids

A co pilot assist steering system with the radar activated system

World class warranty

1.5 inch of additional ground clearance available in XRT trim

In case one is trying to access the roof rack, Land Rover, correction, we meant Hyundai has built-in a concealed swing out exterior door for one to place their finger, when stepping on the rear tires. This feature gives us Land Rover-sih vibes.

The XRT offers a rugged look, but still rides like a car. After experiencing a heavy storm in the area, we’re being a little hesitant to take the vehicle off road, although its equipped with AWD.

For the price, one can’t beat this package.

But:

Our XRT powertrain needed more horsepower (we’ve yet to review a hybrid model)

No plug-in model available like with the previous model

Difficult to access third row with sliding second row bench seating

There is a slight delay/lag in backing up, when the start-stop ignition is in cut off mode; we experienced a few times when we placed the vehicle in reverse.

A HUD (heads up display) should have been standard on the XRT trim

Verdict: For the 2024 model year, Hyundai has reimagined its midsize crossover, the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe has evolved from a generic looking crossover to one that now standout in the segment. The all-new three-row crossover borrows styling cues from the Land Rover brand. Yet, at a much lower price point.

In addition to a new design direction, the Santa Fe, which is available in a front wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration, now adds three rows of standard seating, a new 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine, a hybrid engine, the XRT off-road trim and a host of new features that evaded its predecessor.

Moreover, with the new athletic styling cues, Hyundai’s product planning team bumped the base price by approximately $4,000. Despite the higher base price, Hyundai had created another crossover offering at a great value.

While the Santa Fe looks like its ready for off-roading, its not. We would be hard press to place it in the same category as a Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Land Rover. Despite its rugged appearance, the Santa Fe still feels and drive like a car-based crossover. 

Lastly, while the vehicle adds three-rows of seating, the Santa Fe tries to straddle the line between being a midsize and large crossover. While its roomier and larger than its predecessor, the Santa Fe is still a midsize vehicle. For those yearning for a roomy third seat designed for long trips, they'll need to step up to the flagship Palisade.

Competition:  2024 GMC Acadia; 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L; 2024 Kia Sorento: Mazda CX-90; 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander; 2024 Nissan Pathfinder; and 2024 Toyota Highlander