Hyundai Santa Fe Review: The Vertu VERDICT
“It's big, it's bold, it's brilliant! The latest generation Hyundai Santa Fe is bound to make a lasting impression on you... and not just because of its accentuated proportions and trendy boxy design. Indeed, the Santa Fe is one of the most spacious seven-seaters on the market, while there is no faulting its lavishly appointed interior and generous specification list. Comfortable and refined, while you might come for the Santa Fe's looks, you'll stay for the all-round quality."
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Hyundai Santa Fe: The Key Features
- Fifth generation Hyundai Santa Fe is larger and bolder than it has ever been with its squared-off design language, which includes distinctive touches like H-shaped LED headlights, a high waistline and huge 20-inch alloy wheels
- Offered with the choice of self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, while the similarly-sized Hyundai IONIQ 9 fulfils the brief for a large electric SUV
- Available with the choice of six or seven seats; Six-seater Santa Fe models gets three rows of two captain's chairs
- Without the third row, there is a mammoth 621/628-litres of boot space on offer as a five-seater
- The latest Santa Fe measures 4830mm in length and 1900mm in height - compared to the first generation (2000), which measured just 4500mm (length) and 1675mm (height)
Who is the Hyundai Santa Fe Best Suited To?
- Families who can either benefit from the Santa Fe's passenger-carrying capacity or make use of the huge boot space in a five-seat layout
- Professionals seeking a refined, luxury SUV to tackle long journeys in the week, then transport the family at the weekend
- Those who appreciate cutting-edge technology you'll benefit from using every day
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Hyundai Santa Fe Trim Levels & Equipment
Hyundai Santa Fe Trims | Powertrain Options | Standard Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 20-inch silver alloy wheels, daytime LED lights, electric mirrors, privacy glass, multi-colour interior ambient lighting, leather wrapped steering wheel, 12.3-inch touchscreen satellite navigation, USB C ports in rows two/three, dual zone air-conditioning, automatic rain sensing wiper blades, ADAS safety suite, cruise control, parking sensors front/rear, power tailgate, electric seats, heated front seats, leather seating | |
| BOSE premium sound system, blind sport rear view monitor, digital centre mirror, head-up display, parking sensors front/rear/side, surround view monitor, dual wireless phone charging, electrically adjustable steering column, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats (in addition to Premium) | |
| 20-inch black alloy wheels, black-finish design features, premium relaxation front seats, Napa leather seats (in addition to Ultimate) |
Hyundai Santa Fe Technical Specifications
Hyundai Santa Fe Technical Specifications | 1.6-litre T Hybrid 2WD | 1.6-litre T Hybrid AWD | 1.6-litre T-GDi PHEV (13.8kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
Type | Large SUV | Large SUV | Large SUV |
Seats | 6 or 7 Seats | 6 or 7 Seats | 6 or 7 Seats |
Trims | Premium, Ultimate, Caligraphy | Premium, Ultimate, Caligraphy | Premium, Ultimate, Caligraphy |
Powertrain | Turbocharged FHEV Petrol | Turbocharged FHEV Petrol | PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) |
Power | 236bhp | 236bhp | 284bhp |
0-62mph | 9.0secs | 9.2secs | 8.0secs |
Fuel Economy | 42.2mpg | 39.2mpg | 74.3mpg |
EV Range (WLTP) | N/A | N/A | 34-miles |
CO2 Emissions | 155g/km | 164g/km | 36g/km |
Boot Space (5 Seats) | 628-litres | 628-litres | 621-litres |
Insurance Group | 39D | 40D | 43D - 44D |
EuroNCAP Safety Rating | 4-Stars | 4-Stars | 4-Stars |
What We Like About the Hyundai Santa Fe
- Distinctive and funky-looking luxury SUV that will really turn heads on the road
- Plush, ergonomic and tech-filled interior built to a high standard of quality
- Hugely practical cabin with lots of space for passengers, even those in the traditionally cramped third row of seats
- Frugal considering its size thanks to simple choice of either self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains
- Comfortable and refined on the move, the Santa Fe wafts away the miles with ease
- Drop the rear row of seats to open up a huge 621/628-litre boot
- Flexible PHEV option delivers up to 36-miles of electric-only range
- A used Hyundai Santa Fe - including fourth generation versions - make an excellent pre-owned option
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Large SUVs To Also Consider...
Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq was a watershed moment for the Czechia manufacturer by proving it could scale up to making bigger cars without losing the essence of what has made the brand such a success story in recent years. Available as a five or seven-seater, the Kodiaq gets the basics spot on with strong practicality, build quality, driving performance and comfort supported by Skoda's genuinely helpful 'Simply Clever' touches...
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Jaecoo 8 SHS-P
Having struck gold with the pint-size Range Rover-alike J7 in the UK sales charts, Chinese firm Jaecoo is now aiming higher - or, at least, bigger - with the J8 SHS-P. With a huge 34.6kWh battery to support its 'Super Hybrid System' PHEV powertrain, the Jaecoo 8 can travel over 80-miles on electric power alone. That alone makes it look like great value even before you factor in the huge specification list, impressive quality interior and immense space on offer
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Hyundai IONIQ 9
If you're enticed by the Santa Fe's head-turning design and impressive practicality but are committing yourself to an electric switch for your next car, fortunately Hyundai still has you covered with the IONIQ 9. Even longer than the Santa Fe (plus-five metres), while the IONIQ 9 clearly shares a family resemblance with its sibling, the electric-only seven-seater stands out on its own four wheels all the same. The high standard of quality, refinement, practicality and cuting-edge tech remains very much in evidence though.
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* Details correct at the time of publication (September 2026)
Review Published: September 2026
Updated: September 2026
- New Cars
- Hyundai