OWNING THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID: ONE-YEAR REVIEW

EV Channels Review

After a year and nearly 20,000 miles, the Edmunds team finds the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy to be a stylish, comfortable, and spacious three-row SUV that's surprisingly fun and easy to drive. The interior is praised for its premium feel, comfortable seats, ample storage, and useful tech features like wireless CarPlay and fast wireless charging. The spaciousness, particularly the usable third row, is a significant advantage over competitors. However, the hybrid powertrain falls short of its EPA-estimated fuel economy, consistently delivering lower MPG in real-world testing, which is a notable disappointment. Other minor gripes include overly hot heated seats/steering wheel, a finicky gear shifter, a rear sunroof with poor insulation, and the impracticality of the matte paint finish requiring hand washing. Despite these drawbacks, the Santa Fe's strong value proposition, comfortable ride, and advanced driver aids make it a compelling option, though its depreciation is higher than some rivals.