Test drive

Hyundai Santa Fe: the fifth generation road test. Dimensions, engines and prices

Two or four-wheel drive, five or seven seats. The engine range consists of the 251 hp full hybrid, plug-in hybrid also coming soon

18 July 2024

3' min read

The Santa Fe d-suv formula is reintroduced with important aesthetic and technological updates that make it even more contemporary. Two or four-wheel drive, five or seven seats, Hyundai's high-wheel model offers numerous options and a high level of quality. We tested it on the roads of the Langhe.

Design: 90s square lines

The dimensions of the Hyundai Santa Fe are generous and this is also reflected in the on-board space. It is 4,830 mm long (an increase of 45 mm), 1,900 mm wide, 1,720 mm high with a wheelbase of 2,815 mm and a load capacity of 711 litres in the five-seater configuration and 628 litres for the seven-seater.

From the earliest design stages, the designers wanted to give the model a robust and recognisable appearance, maximising space, as can be seen in the interior.

At the front, very characteristic is the grille and, above all, the H-shaped LED headlights that from right to left are joined by a thin horizontal line that spans the entire width of the vehicle. They give a sense of robustness to the wheel arches: wide and very square, as in the style of the new Santa Fe.

While at the rear it is noticeable that a very square line has been retained in the upper window area, achieving the maximum opening of the tailgate thanks to the positioning at the bottom of the headlamps that echo the H-shaped motif proposed in the front ones.

Hyundai Santa Fe: le foto della nuova serie
Photogallery20 foto

Interior: style, space and connectivity

The interior of the Hyundai Santa Fe is very neat and spacious. The coordination between exterior and interior can also be seen in the details, such as the H motif repeated in the dashboard and air vents, used not only as a matter of style but also to enhance the horizontal line that gives a feeling of spaciousness. Space that can also be seen in the choice of having a double wireless cherger of ample size and with an edge that, unlike many other models, allows the smartphone to be comfortably housed without it falling off.

Characteristic is the two-sided storage compartment that allows both front and rear passengers to open the armrest and access the compartment.

There is no lack of digitisation. In the centre of the dashboard is a dual 12.3-inch display with Ota (Over The Air) updates for continuous maintenance. Improved natural language voice recognition allows users to effortlessly control infotainment and vehicle functions through conversational voice commands, eliminating the need to manually operate screens or buttons.

The driver can also rely on the 12-inch head-up display.

There are two trim packages: Business, designed for a fleet audience, and the XClass, designed for private individuals. The latter can also be combined with an extra package called Calligraphy that adds aesthetic details.

High level of security already standard

The new Santa Fe is equipped with a wide range of SmartSense safety and driver assistance features as standard. Already included as standard is a long list of systems, from autonomous emergency braking, Rear Occupant Alert, active speed limit recognition, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function.

Manageability and driveability

Despite its size, the Hyundai Santa Fe allows for good handling thanks to the advanced Drive Traction System that adapts to various driving conditions through Terrain mode. In addition, the all-wheel drive technology allows for agile handling and better torque application depending on wheel grip and vehicle speed. In addition to the different driving modes, three additional terrain modes (mud, sand and snow) optimise driving performance. Of course, being a large SUV, roll is noticeable.

Upon getting on board, we immediately noticed a raised seat that allows a good view of the area around the car.

The engine range currently includes only one solution, the full-hybrid 1.6-litre Tgdi with 251 hp mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that guarantees a smooth and pleasant drive. On the hilly route we noticed that it does not have extreme acceleration, but it is well balanced for such a car. A second powertrain will soon be added to the engine line-up, a plug-in hybrid that broadly takes up the characteristics of the one fitted on the previous generation. There are no plans for a diesel.

The list price starts at 49,600 euros and goes up to 57,550 euros. The Calligraphy package includes aesthetic details worth an extra 3,900 euros and is only available in combination with the XClass version.