THE ULTIMATE FAMILY ROAD TRIP CAR? HYUNDAI SANTA FE REVIEW | IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS & DRIVING EXPERIENCE

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The Hyundai Santa Fe is presented as a strong contender for the ultimate family road trip vehicle, excelling in practicality, space, and configurability. The reviewer highlights the bold, new, boxy design, which, while polarizing, is seen as a significant improvement over the outgoing model, offering a striking and stylish appearance. Inside, the cabin is praised for its spaciousness, high-quality materials, and a plethora of features, including dual screens, a head-up display, and innovative UVC sanitization for the glovebox. The seating arrangement is highly flexible, accommodating up to seven passengers with ample legroom and headroom, especially in the second and third rows, and featuring ISOFIX on multiple seats. Practicality is further emphasized by an abundance of USB-C ports, wireless charging pads, and an astonishing 17 cup holders. However, the driving experience has some drawbacks. The standard hybrid, chosen for the road trip, offers adequate power (215 bhp) but can feel strained with a full load. Ride quality is noted as potentially brittle on 20-inch wheels, though smaller wheels on lower trims might improve this. The reviewer also mentions a lack of power for towing and a less-than-ideal towing capacity. Despite these points, the steering is well-weighted, and the car is surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight spaces, aided by a 360-degree camera and parking sensors. The boot space is generous in a five-seat configuration (628L for hybrid, 621L for PHEV) but limited when all seven seats are in use, potentially requiring a roof box for extensive luggage.