Hyundai Santa Fe 2024 Review

For now, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is available only as a hybrid, although a more affordable four-cylinder petrol model is due late in the year.

Prices kick off at $55,500 plus on-road costs for the only two-wheel drive version, known simply as Santa Fe.

That’s a hefty $9450 increase over the previous model, although entry to the hybrid drivetrain has dropped by a similar amount because Hyundai now makes it available in the entry-level trim (previously the hybrid was reserved for Elite and Highlander, the latter nameplate discontinued).

An all-wheel drive version of the same entry Santa Fe sells for $58,500 plus ORCs.

The mid-grade Elite is $65,000 plus ORCs while the top-level Calligraphy – which replaces the Highlander nameplate at the top of the Santa Fe tree – is $75,000, each available only as an all-wheel drive.

It’s the Calligraphy that Hyundai estimates will account for about half of all sales.

The entry-level 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe gets 20-inch alloy wheels (with a matching full-size spare), smart key entry with remote start functionality, a 360-degree camera, powered tailgate, power-adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone ventilation with a fan controller for the third row.

White or orange are standard colours and there’s a choice of six metallic/mica hues for $695.

The Santa Fe Elite picks up the all-wheel drive system as standard and also throws in partial leather trim, ambient lighting, heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front passenger seat, satellite navigation, stainless-steel scuff plates on the doors and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

The new Calligraphy model gets unique alloy wheels, memory functions for the driver’s seat and black exterior design highlights with black badging. There’s also a sunroof, head-up display, Nappa leather trim, ventilated front seats, heated outboard second row seats and a digital centre rear-view mirror.

On the outside, the Calligraphy also gets folding handles on the C-pillar designed to make it easier to access anything fitted to the optional roof racks.

The Calligraphy can also have the middle-row bench seat replaced with two captain’s chairs for $500, in turn reducing seating capacity to six. Plus, the Calligraphy can be optioned in one of two matte colours for another $1000.

The Santa Fe is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, the latter likely to mean two services a year for some drivers.

Capped price servicing costs $459 for the first, second, fourth and fifth services, with the third service $569.

The new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hasn’t yet been tested by ANCAP, but it comes with a long list of standard gear, starting with 10 airbags.

Those airbags provide frontal coverage for the two front-row occupants as well as a driver’s knee airbag and a centre airbag to reduce the chance of a head-clash.

There are also side thorax airbags for the front and middle-row seats as well as head-protecting side curtain airbags covering all three rows.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is the start of a comprehensive suite of crash avoidance tech that includes auto braking at intersections as well as steering assistance to reduce the risk of a head-on collision.

There’s also blind spot warning with steering assistance if a car is detected alongside.

Safe exit assist can temporarily prevent the door from opening to reduce the risk of damage from another road user, while rear cross traffic alert can auto-brake the car in reverse to avoid an impact.

Plus, there’s lane keep assist with steering assistance and speed limit information, the latter prone to beeping at you every time you indicate 1km/h over the limit (it can be switched off, but needs to be done every time you start the car).

There’s also driver monitoring to detect drowsiness and inattention.

All 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe models get an onboard modem with connectivity for over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch central infotainment display, each of which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity embedded.

All also come with a wireless phone charger and the Elite and Calligraphy get a second charger, each with a rubber top to reduce the chances of the phones sliding around.

There are also six USB-C charge ports dotted throughout the cabin: two up front, one on the sides of each of the front seatbacks (for those in the middle row) and another either side of the third row.

One of the more unique additions is a ‘UV-C sanitation tray’, which is part of the upper glove box. When activated it emits UV rays and claims to kill 99.9 per cent of surface germs.

Think of it as a high-tech phone bath, or something to keep the keys squeaky-clean.

The new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe will eventually have the choice of two drivetrains, but for now it’s hybrid only.

The petrol-electric system is also used in various other models – including the previous Santa Fe – and boasts a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine making 132kW and 265Nm. It’s matched to a 44.2kW/264Nm electric motor.

Combined, the duo produces 172kW and 367Nm.

There’s also a 1.49kWh battery to store energy from braking as part of the regenerative system.

There are various drive modes, although oddly no Normal mode. Instead, you get Eco and Sport as well as My Drive, which allows you to choose between Eco, Sport or Smart drivetrain settings and Normal and Sport (firmer) steering settings.

All-wheel drive models also pick up a trio of Terrain modes: Snow, Mud and Sand.

You can also choose between Normal and Sport brake feels, the latter with added reactivity.

Paddles on the steering wheel adjust between four levels of regenerative braking; leave it off and it coasts, or you can progressively add more, helping auto brake through the reversing of the flow of electrons in the electric motor.

In any guise, the hybrid is willing and refined. What it lacks in outright grunt compared with the diesel engine it essentially replaces, it makes up for with smoothness.

There’s ample thrust from the electric motor at lower speeds and the Santa Fe will often shut its petrol engine down to maximise efficiency.

Even at 100km/h it will sometimes revert to electricity only, easily leaning on the pulling power of the electric motor.

Call on maximum performance at higher speeds and the engine needs to work harder, with associated revving adding to the noise.

But it’s generally fairly relaxed and responsive, with enough vigour to deal with a large SUV body.

Claimed fuel use for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is 5.6 litres per 100km and it’s tuned to run on regular unleaded.

We never achieved those numbers on our drive, which started with suburban running and incorporated country roads and freeways. The best we saw was 7.0L/100km, with usage at times creeping into the high-7s.

Around the suburbs it should leverage the stop-start driving nicely within its hybrid system, so expect to use less than an equivalent petrol model.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe represents a big departure from its predecessor visually and there are also changes in the way it drives.

Riding on a car-like monocoque construction with independent suspension front and rear sets a sound foundation.

And with all models running on 20-inch tyres, there’s familiarity between the trio of models.

Those low-profile tyres are prone to some low-speed jiggling, particularly if the road surface has had a hard life. But the Santa Fe is otherwise well behaved and soundly fends off big imperfections.

The taller body wants to lean when pushed into a corner, something exacerbated with swift directional changes. But there’s always a sense of control and solidity.

Noise levels are nicely hushed, too, to create a comfortable cabin that easily devours big distances.

The Santa Fe hybrid can also tow, although its braked towing capacity as a hybrid is limited to 1650kg.

Despite its rugged looks, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is focused on sealed roads.

That said, all-wheel drive versions have Snow, Mud and Sand drive mode settings to tailor the traction control to different surfaces.

But don’t get too adventurous because it’s limited in its off-road ability.

There is, however, a full-size spare wheel.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is bigger than ever, something that translates to more interior space.

An additional 45mm of length and 60mm of height translates to a big step up in headroom as well as a smidge more legroom in the second and third rows.

The front seats of the Santa Fe (base model) and Elite are quite firm, the former with hardy patterned trim and the latter with sturdy leather. The Calligraphy’s pews are more supple leather and are a tad plusher, still with decent lateral and under-thigh support.

In any guise, the Santa Fe’s cabin emulates its bold exterior and attention to detail.

Finishes are of a high quality, from the metal highlights and brushed aluminium in the base Santa Fe to lifting the ambience with matte wood touches on the Elite. The Calligraphy can even be had with distinctive striped highlights that look like something from a high-end kitchen.

The spaciousness for humans also extends to the palaver you drag along for the ride.

The broad floating console between the front seat occupants easily accommodates a couple of phones, while beneath is a sizeable pod that’s perfect for small bags or odds and ends.

The covered centre console cleverly hinges at the front and rear, also allowing access for those in the rear. Those in the middle row also get a drawer that slides out from that console.

Legroom is generous too, at least if you’ve got the 60/40-split folding middle row slid to its rearmost position. It’s aided by a nearly-flat floor to make three across that middle seat an easy accomplishment. Throw in decent headroom and it’s a welcoming space.

Accessing the third row is as easy as pushing a button on top of the middle-row seats to tilt and slide it forward. It’s a tight aperture to sneak through, but once there the little ones will have little to complain about.

The third row also gets separate fan controls, although there’s no back seat adjustment of the temperature.

Fan outlets are on the B-pillar (between the front and rear doors) for those in the middle and in the sides of the third row.

Both the second and third rows have dual cup holders on each side. There’s even a quartet of bag hooks on the backs of the front seats.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe will sell to some on looks alone.

There’s an American twang to its design boldness and the square edges give it an adventurous aesthetic, even if its abilities remain closer to the bitumen.

It also justifies significant price increases with a generous spread of standard gear and a hybrid system that promises to lower running costs, especially around town.

The occasionally brittle ride is a letdown to an otherwise polished driving performance, a gentle reminder that it falls short of excellence.

Yet there’s enough depth to the new arrival to justify its inclusion on the shortlist for those shopping for a large seven-seat SUV.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy at a glance:
Price: $75,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 132kW/265Nm (electric motor: 44.2kW/264Nm)
Combined output: 172kW/367Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 128g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested