A few weeks ago, Sami Haj-Assaad and I compared the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe to another three-row SUV, the 2025 Honda Pilot. The Pilot has the advantage of being a bit longer, which allows for a bit more legroom in the third row, as well as more cargo space when that third row is being used. However, the Santa Fe’s much lower pricing structure, paired with its hybrid engine and fuel savings, made it a complicated battle. Check out the comparison here to see which SUV was the ultimate winner of the three-row comparison.
However, since I brought up the issue of cargo space, I’d like to note that it really is one of the few downsides of the Santa Fe. I understand many three-rows like this one are actually meant to be used as a two-row for the majority of the time, but I have three kids who wouldn’t comfortably fit into the second row’s bench seat, and therefore always need that third row, or at least half of it. Unfortunately, that means cargo space is extremely tight, as you’ll see in the image below that shows just some of the luggage we needed to travel with for a couple days away from home during the winter break (some stuff was shoved into the second row, as well). I guess it really didn’t help that we recently got a puppy, and his crate is essentially the size of the stroller we no longer carry around.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: Gas vs Hybrid
Cargo space aside, what I really wanted to go over in this update is whether consumers should opt for the hybrid trims that are the cheaper options in this lineup; or one of the gas variants that come fully loaded with some pretty cool party tricks. When this new-gen Santa Fe was launched earlier in 2024, I had the chance to test the Ultimate Calligraphy trim during a first-drive event. It impressed me, to say the least, but maybe it was a scenic B.C. route, in addition to the quietness of having no kids in the rear seats, that made for an enjoyable ride.
However, that’s far from real life, and I really wanted to test it out in the hussle and bustle of our everyday routine. So, we asked Hyundai for the opportunity to do a long-term test of the hybrid version to better understand the differences of the two powertrains and where they fall into place in the Santa Fe trim lineup. Now, while you may still be in the habit of writing 2024 (or 2020, for that matter) we’re well into 2025 with this 2024 model year. That’s because the Santa Fe was launched with the higher-trimmed gas variants at dealerships first, which may be the reason I’ve seen far more gassers on the roads than hybrids. The hybrid variant became available a few months after the gas ones, and at a cheaper price than the non-hybrids.
Not only are you saving money up front on the total cost of the SUV — which is decently tech’d-out for a lower trim model — but you’re also saving at the gas pumps. So, who in their right mind would opt for the more expensive trims of the Hyundai Santa Fe? Well, for starters, if you needed a new Santa Fe before the hybrid was available, then you didn’t have a choice. Then, there’s the additional power that comes with the non-hybrid powertrain. Oh, and remember those party tricks? There’s a UV light sanitizer built into the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, so maybe those higher trims aren’t so bad, after all. Let’s take a closer look.
What powers the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup?
As noted in the intro, the hybrid powertrain has a 1.6L I4 with an electric motor that delivers a combined 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque; and the non-hybrid uses a turbocharged 2.5L engine, good for 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel-drive hybrid doesn’t feel as powerful as the non-hybrid, but if that added power isn’t what’s most important to you, then it’s really not a big deal, at least it’s not for me.
Fuel Consumption in the 2024 Hyundai Santa Hybrid vs Regular Gas Models
While we most definitely have not seen the Santa Fe Hybrid’s claimed average of 6.9 L/100 km overall, we did see that number once while driving to Mississauga. However, note that the drive from Guelph to Mississauga was a lot more downhill than the return home, because the exact route coming back saw an average of 10 L/100 km, which is a pretty big difference. We recently had the winter tires installed, so that likely isn’t helping too much with fuel economy, but according to the digital dash, we’ve driven some 2,607 km since picking up the Santa Fe back in November, and it’s averaging 8.7 L/100 km. It’s not quite as low as we’d like to see, but it’s not a horrible number for a three-row SUV.
The non-hybrids are rated at just below 11 L/100 km (8.8 highway, 12.2 city) but I’d like to point out that a commenter in the Santa Fe-Pilot comparison noted averages around 11 in their new 2025 hybrid Santa Fe. I’m hoping those numbers come down a bit as it’s driven a bit more, but if your drives are predominantly on local roads, then the numbers will be a bit higher overall. That said, as mentioned before, you’re still saving money up front if you opt for the hybrid trims.
Features in the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup
If you’re undecided on which 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe trim to choose, it’ll really depend on what specifics you want from your car, because basic specs like the overall dimensions are the same. Click here to see a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the different trims in the lineup (minus the NHL edition). Whether you choose the hybrid or not, you’re getting pretty similar exterior dimensions with minor changes like the off-roadish XRT being slightly taller.
You’ll find 413L of cargo space behind the third row, which isn’t a whole lot to work with, but it’ll open up to 1,148L when the third row is folded down. Regardless of trim, the third row has two seats that can fold individually to provide a bit of extra cargo space while still leaving room for one third-row passenger. The biggest issue I have with all but the top trim in this lineup is that you’re forced into a second-row bench seat. I much prefer the captain’s chairs when it comes to these three rows because it allows for easier access into the third row, especially if you’re using it frequently. It also frees up a bit more space for backpacks, or whatever else you may have thrown around back there.
The Santa Fe lineup comes with a tonne of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. All but the base trim has a sunroof; keyless entry and keyless start; heated steering wheel and heated front seats (ventilated front seats in the top two trims); adaptive cruise control; and more. Adding the Trend Package to the base trim for an additional $4,000 won’t get you memory seats, but you do bump up from cloth seats to synthetic leather, as well as going from a 4.2-inch touchscreen to a much larger 12.3-inch screen. The base trim can wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but the Trend Package adds a wireless phone charger in there.
So, if this hybrid trim has all that standard equipment, what makes the Ultimate Calligraphy better? Is it worth over $10k more than the base trim?
Which Hyundai Santa Fe trim is best?
Again, it’ll really depend on your specific needs, but personally, I’d pick this hybrid tester as the best bang for your buck.
The Ultimate Calligraphy will get you that UV light sanitizer that acts as just another storage area in the lower trims. There’s also a little handle on the C-pillar that gives you a boost to climb up top of the wheel and get easier access to the roof. It can be locked if not in use and also has a drain hole so there won’t be a pool of water waiting for you in there. During the first drive event, I thought Hyundai mentioned all trims having this useful feature, but our tester isn’t equipped with it; I’ve reached out to Hyundai to confirm those details.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks at the gas station, as well as up front on the total cost of your new vehicle, then the hybrid trims are the way to go. If you’re looking for a bit of added technology, then you’ll need to add the $4,000 Trend Package which is totally worth it. If memory seats are of utmost importance then scratch the hybrids off your list.
What’s next for this Hyundai Santa Fe tester?
We still have this 2024 tester for a few more weeks, so be sure to let us know if you’ve got any questions about the Hyundai Santa Fe. Until then, we’ve got a couple more things planned, including a comparison with Hyundai’s other popular three-row, the Palisade; as well as a road trip to see just how this vehicle holds up when pushed to its limits with three kids, a puppy, and a trunkful of things we likely don’t need. We’ll also dig a little deeper into competing vehicles, since this vehicle will likely compete with bigger three-rows like the Honda Pilot, smaller vehicles like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, as well as two-row SUVs — maybe the Mazda CX-70? — if you want to ensure lots of cargo space.
Long-Term Test Intro: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
We’re starting a long-term test of the hybrid SUV, which happens to be one of the cheaper models in the Santa Fe lineup
If you haven’t seen one of these boxes out on the local roads yet, let me introduce you to the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. Yes, it really is a Santa Fe, and, no, to answer my five-year-old’s question, Santa didn’t make it. It’s an entirely new Santa Fe that pretty much changes everything from the ground up and inside-out. It looks absolutely nothing like the previous generation, and to be honest, I’m still trying to figure out if that’s a good thing or not. Regardless, I’m sure consumers are adding this new Santa Fe to their test-drive lists because it’s got a lot going for it, including a hybrid variant.
During the first drive of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, I really loved the gasoline model of this all-new Santa Fe, but after driving some of the higher trims, it left me with tons of questions. First and foremost, I wanted to know more about the hybrid models, and, fortunately, that’s what we’ve got for an in-depth, long-term test over the next couple months.
What powers the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?
My first impression while in the driver’s seat of this all-wheel-drive hybrid is that it doesn’t feel as powerful as the non-hybrid; however, unless you yearn to feel the power, it’s really not a deal-breaker. For someone like myself, most drives consist of school pick-ups and drop-offs, and other kid-related drives that don’t require intense amounts of power (whether it’s something that’s wanted or not).
The hybrid powertrain is a 1.6L I4 with an electric motor that delivers a combined 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. The non-hybrid uses a turbocharged 2.5L engine, good for 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
2024 Santa Fe Hybrid fuel consumption
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid should consume an average of 6.9 L/100 km (6.8 city, 6.9 highway) per NRCan. We’ve only been driving it for a few days, but the lowest numbers seen so far hover around 7.8 L/100 km, so we’ll be sure to keep an eye on that and see if it changes. The hybrid Santa Fe, however, gets much better fuel economy than the non-hybrid, which is rated at almost double the hybrid’s city averages. The non-hybrids average 10.6 L/100 km (12.1 city, 8.8 highway).
How much is the Hyundai Santa Fe in Canada?
However, opt for the hybrid trims and you’ll not only save money on gas, but also on the SUV itself, which I thought was by far the most interesting thing about the Santa Fe. The hybrids are cheaper and only available in the two lowest trims, starting just over $40,000 for the base trim; and $45k for this tested model with the Trend package. If you’re hoping for a fully-loaded Santa Fe, then you’ll have to forfeit the hybrid powertrain. Well, that, or you’ll need to go for the Canadian-exclusive NHL Edition, which is technically above the trim ringing in at $56,998 (plus fees). On the flip side, you can’t get a base Santa Fe with the 2.5L engine.
I thought this was an especially interesting move by Hyundai in not giving that hybridized option to higher trims, but just as interesting is making the hybrids cheaper when other companies put them on the higher and more expensive trims. Notably, during a recent first drive of sister company’s Kia Carnival Hybrid, the hybrids are offered across the trim lineup in lower and higher versions of the gasoline models, as well. I guess time will tell which is the better pricing strategy.
Hyundai has also released pricing for the 2025 models, which all get a slight bump up in price. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid will start at $42,499 (plus fees) while the tested trim increases to $46,499. The top Ultimate Calligraphy trim has a price tag of $54,799, where it was previously $53,499 for the 2024 model year.
Granted, despite being on the lower end of the trim lineup, this tester is actually pretty loaded, and even though it’s missing some things the Ultimate Calligraphy gets, those things aren’t actually missed. Okay, maybe just some memory seat settings, but that’s not even a deal-breaker (especially since I don’t currently have memory seats in my minivan). There’s even a wireless phone charger in the tested model, and it wirelessly connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, something the 2025 Genesis GV80 didn’t do when I recently tested it.
How different is the new Hyundai Santa Fe from the previous generation?
This fifth-gen Hyundai Santa Fe looks absolutely nothing like the previous model. From the boxy body to these H-shaped headlights (someone remarked they look like a dog’s chew-bones, and now I can’t unsee it).
I previously questioned why, when this is so far gone from the older models, did Hyundai not just call it something new and enter the playing field with a new three-row? According to a rep at the first drive, the “Santa Fe” name is huge, and it didn’t make sense to start from scratch instead of running with this well-known badge. I guess time will tell whether that was the right move. Though I can’t help wonder how many people prefer the older models’ typical SUV looks to the new one’s bold appearance. And if the people in that camp now feel forced to look elsewhere.
The new Santa Fe also has an additional row, which now puts it in a different class of three-row competitors, which can be good or bad depending on the buyer. I previously noted the while the Santa Fe is a three-row SUV, it should be considered a two-row with tons of cargo space, with the option of third-row seating, if absolutely necessary. I won’t get started on limited cargo space behind the third row yet—we’ll save that for an update.
The Santa Fe may not be made specifically for frequent third-row use, but adding that third row forces it into an extremely competitive segment. So be sure to check back here in the coming weeks as we’ve got a few comparisons planned that include putting it up against the Honda Pilot, as well as Hyundai’s own Palisade.
We’ve got this 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe for the upcoming winter months, and my kids and all their winter gear will definitely be putting that third row and cargo area to the test. Of course, we’ll be sure to report back on its winter driving capabilities and fuel economy. If there’s anything you want to know about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, let us know in comment section and we’ll be sure to look into it.