When I first saw Hyundai’s revised 2025 Santa Fe SUV, my first thought was that it looked so much like Ford’s out of production Flex crossover because it had Flex’s boxy design. But the original Santa Fe SUV underwent a complete makeover from what was Hyundai’s second most popular SUV. The 2025 is a bit larger than the hot-selling Tucson, but smaller than Hyundai’s 3-row Palisade SUV.
Hyundai’s designers did a great job on Santa Fe’s makeover with its snappy looking H-pattern running and taillights plus LED headlights to name a few. Yet despite its boxy exterior, Santa Fe’s makeover has a tough, macho, slippery and classy look making it a true 7 passenger (6 with second row bucket seats) family SUV.
The 2025 Santa Fe is offered in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited and top-line Calligraphy. We were privileged to test the AWD XRT which is more off-road capable with 1.3 inches of extra ground clearance compared to the other models. It also has a 4,500-pound tow rating compared to 3,500 of the others and has a 4WD Lock feature for when traction gets extra tough.
One neat and unique feature is the fold-out grab handles on the exterior “D” pillars that provide an assist when lifting up long items like a canoe, kayak, skis or other gear atop the car.
After a low 20-inch step-in into the cockpit, you’re treated to first class accommodations including the eye-grabbing 30.5-inch long one-piece combination digital gauge cluster and infotainment display. The digital gauges includes a driver information display between the gauges that provides alerts and functions while on the other half, the 12.3-inch infotainment display offers navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto wireless connectivity, Sirius audio, rearview camera (with an added hitch view) and more.
The second notable item is the steering wheel mounted gear selector that has a twist operation. Twist up for Drive, down for Reverse and a push of the “P” button at the end of the selector for Park. It’s also supplemented with paddle shifters. The selector takes some getting used to if coming from a console mounted selector.
Heated H-Tex front seats are nicely padded and supportive. Both fronts straddle the stack/console that uses pressure sensitive HVAC controls and unique dual cell phone chargers so two phones can be charged simultaneously. Beneath the HVAC controls is the 4WD Lock switch and the Drive Mode switch for Normal, Sport, Snow and My Drive, the latter personalizes driving functions. An extra nice feature is that Hyundai designers used the dead space beneath the console for a tray to stow a purse or other small items.
Second row seats have generous leg room for two adults and they slide forward somewhat to access the third-row seats that are mainly for youngsters where leg room is tight. Unique is the console box top that also opens from the rear as well as the front, so back seat passengers can stow items in there.
Back in the cargo area, that has a low 32-inch lift-over, and with the third row upright, there’s 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 14.5 inches deep, 47.5 wide and 31.5 high. Flip the third row and cargo loading depth expands to 45.5 inches deep. Fold the second row and it increases to 75 inches for 79.6 cubic feet of space. And beneath the aft cargo floor is a small bin for small item storage.
Ride wise, it’s smooth and quiet and it handles superbly despite its size and 4,343-pound curb weight. And Santa Fe parks surprisingly easy with a 37.9 foot turning diameter.
Powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that generates 277-hp and 311 lb/ft of torque, and when coupled to the 8-speed automatic transmission, the little four moves the Santa Fe with ease. So configured, EPA rates the combination at 19-city, 26-highway mpg. There’s also a hybrid version that can do even better.
With a long list of standard features such as blind spot collision warning, forward collision warning, rear cross traffic and avoidance alert, lane following/keeping assist, forward attention warning, highway driving assist and many more, the only extra cost option were ($210) for carpeted floor mats. Adding the delivery charge ($1,415) took the base price of $40,850 to $42,475. This is a lot of exceptionally loaded AWD SUV for the money.
To its credit, Santa Fe comes with Hyundai’s generous 5 year/60K new vehicle warranty, 10/100K powertrain, 7/Unlimited anti-corrosion, 3/36K complimentary maintenance, 5/Unlimited roadside assistance coverage. With this class leading warranty, Santa Fe buyers can’t go wrong. It’s a no brainer if in the market for a 3-row AWD SUV with modern, upscale design.
