2024 Hyundai Santa Fe & Santa Fe Hybrid Review

An angular design gives the new 3 row SUV a blocky shape. This squared off approach ensures a bigger interior with more headroom and legroom, but the size actually won't slow the vehicle down. That's because it was crafted carefully for wind resistance and has an incredibly good drag coefficient (0.29).

Beneath the new grille, a lower trim piece forms a stretched H. This accent actually helps improve airflow. Horizontal daytime running lights take on a more H-like shape, too. The LED headlights can light up in a pattern as the owner approaches.

The same H shape dresses up the taillights. These are lower than normal and provide another interesting visual cue. You'll notice more H-themed shapes when you climb inside.

Hyundai exterior colors include pearls in Serenity White, Ecotonic Gray, and Rockwood Green. Metallic colors come in Shimmering Silver or Ultimate Red. Mattes are available in Ecotonic Gray or Earthy Matte. Additional Santa Fe exterior colors include Terracotta Orange, Phantom Black, and Hampton Gray.

Unlike the outgoing generation, the fifth generation Santa Fe has a third row. Even better, the new shape that gives it such curb appeal is also providing better headroom, legroom, and cargo space..

When designing the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, the goal was to maximize wiggle room at every seating position. That effort really worked. Whether it's the three-person bench or the captain's chairs, headroom and legroom are ample for taller teens and adults.

The second row has access to USB-C ports and can open the front row console from the back. Passengers have numerous storage cubbies and plenty of air conditioning vents for our hot summers. Third row seating benefits from that tall roof, providing more headroom than is expected in a 3 row SUV.

Engineers began at the rear when working on this new Hyundai 3 row SUV. The result is one of the widest SUV tailgate openings and a flatter load floor with a low loading height. To accomplish this, they repositioned the lift cylinders and hinges. They even moved the rear lighting down.

Families will love having room for their gear. It's especially important if your family fills up the seats. If you do fold the seats, the large area grows to about 40 cubes. The seats lay especially flat, and it's easy to reach gear because the load floor is low.

Even the roof was considered for its utility. The area is big enough for a rooftop tent, and there's a C-pillar grab handle to make it easier to reach up there. In these and other ways, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe claims more utility than ever before.

The main difference in these two models is the powertrain. One emphasizes power while the other balances power with fuel efficiency.

Providing the best fuel economy without sacrificing too much power, the 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid has a combined output of 226 horsepower. That's assisted by 195 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is 36/31/34 mpg in city/highway/combined driving situations.

The outgoing gas-powered Santa Fe had a 191-horsepower standard engine. For 2024, the standard powertrain is a beefy turbo unit. It generates a load-moving 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe models provide a remarkably car-like feel that defies the actual size. Front-wheel drive is standard, and that's probably what you need for Phoenix AZ driving. An 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is specially calibrated to get the most from the engine output.

All-wheel drive adds all-terrain capability if you want to go off road. The Santa Fe XRT trim level is especially designed for trail adventures, and it has been updated for the new model year.

Hyundai engineers and designers have created a true cockpit. This year there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel. Next to that, there's an equally big touchscreen with the most advanced Hyundai interface.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on board, providing the easiest way to access Apple or Android Apps. Advanced voice recognition ensures that the system will respond appropriately to the driver's command. However, Hyundai includes familiar knobs and buttons for the most essential functions.

Unique to the 2024 Santa Fe, dual wireless charging pads can be featured on the center console. This allows you to charge two smartphones at once. Plus each individual charger has more power than the previous wireless charger.

In the glovebox, you can take advantage of a UV sanitizer. It's a great way to kill germs on small items you use frequently as well as masks or gloves you may use.

Hyundai driver assistance now includes an available blind spot camera. This live feed can show the driver everything behind the vehicle.

Every 2024 Santa Fe comes with the most essential driver assistance available today. Some of these safety features are more advanced than what you'll find on rival models, even if you paid more for a higher trim.

Hyundai covers the front with forward collision warnings, a related autobrake, and a pedestrian watch. Advanced tech includes a cyclist watch and the ability to recognize and respond to junction turning dangers.

These family 3 row SUVs watch the sides via a lane departure alert and a blind spot monitor. They assist drivers with a steering assist for lane keeping and selective-wheel braking to avoid traffic in the SUV's blind spot.

On the highway, adaptive cruise control is a commuter's best friend. It will slow and go with traffic. Then when the speed picks up, it can return you to your preferred speed. When the 2024 Santa Fe has navigation, automatic cruise becomes ACC-Curve. The unique Hyundai interface allows navigation to inform the cruise control system about curves where selective wheel braking or reducing the throttle are needed.

Lane follow assist works alongside the lane keeping assist to help the Santa Fe driver maintain the safest trajectory. When this driver assistance technology is combined with ACC-C, the result is Highway Driving Assist. This feature is a semi-autonomous driving system. It's an excellent way to handle stretches of lonely Southwestern interstates.

For parking, there is a rear cross traffic alert. It watches for danger from the left or right and may apply the brakes to keep the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe from crossing paths with another vehicle.

Find out if this 3 row SUV is right for you. The 2024 Santa Fe and 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid are available from your Avondale Hyundai dealer. Schedule a test drive.