For 2024 the Hyundai Santa Fe has been given a transformational redesign. Have you noticed? How could you have not? At the curb or in a parking lot it stands out like a gleaming Gobot toy in a basket of bruised apples.
This is to say it’s got it going on in the styling department with a crisp sharp and modern silhouette combined with a collection of design details we’re not used to seeing on new cars. Tight tolerances, sharp corners, patterns and finishes – all fresh and new.
While I leave you space to build your own reactions and opinions on its style the fact is that the Santa Fe is larger now with a 110-inch wheelbase and 190-inch overall length which allows it to have a sizable standard third row seat.
Inside is another fist in the face foray of styling drama that manages bold, distinctive and modern in a mid-century way? What? Top notch materials throughout, fit and finish and lots of whiz-bang tech like a new curved cockpit with dual 12.3-inch digital displays take it a step up from many of its peers on substance alone, let alone style.
Nappa leather upholstery was part of the Calligraphy trim grade I tested wit heated and ventilated seats up front. It was just a beautiful space to sit and drive for our week. Best yet all the styling excess didn’t come at the price of versatility and utility.
The new Santa Fe has dual glove compartments, one with a UV sanitizer function for cleaning your phone or sunglasses. Dual wireless phone charger are found on the center console with sports generous storage underneath and inside.
Then there’s the dual level rear console storage compartment with a door and drawer than can be accessed from both up front and in the back. There, the second row has heated power seats and enjoys a large second sunroof. The third row has its own HVAC controls, lots of power ports and an adjustable back rake to boot.
Infotainment highlights include a fully featured infotainment system with all the expected connectivity features today including navigation, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Bose Audio. Loved the meditative nature sound tracks to choose instead of commercial entertainment.
Turbo power is standard with a 2.5-liter direct-injected four cylinder engine that drives either its front or all four wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). This one was optioned with AWD and as tested offers up 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
The DCT here is more refined than before but still not as smooth and predictable as a traditional automatic. The engine overall offers plenty of power and livability but in the week I found it pretty thirsty getting only about 18 mpg combined where the EPA rating is about 23. I would opt for the hybrid powertrain which achieves in the mid thirties for mpg easily.
Chassis tuning is the final bonus here, a far more Germanic and supple handling experience than the last generation Santa Fe which felt boaty and unrefined to me. Chassis motions and behavior is tightened up to a point where it feels a step up in price in many ways.
In that way I find its as tested price of $50,695 to be quite reasonable given all the style, quality, features, performance and handling talents especially given the longest warranty coverage in the automotive market today.
It does start out in the mid-$30,000 range for the SE model and a few thousand more if you opt for the hybrid models. In all, I was impressed enough with the new 2024 Santa Fe that it goes easily on my “Id Buy It” list. That means I loved it!
