Over the past few years, the Hyundai Santa Fe has been somewhat confused about which size class it belongs in. Hopefully, the 2024 model will solve this puzzle.
The Santa Fe has been everything from the compact Santa Fe Sport to a decent midsize SUV. Although it’s been one of the most popular SUVs in the market during this millennium, it’s never been so good as to invoke desires and fond memories. Sure, this Hyundai SUV fits many places in the market, making it a good option for many drivers, but the 2024 model promises to change the mundane qualities to be much more memorable.
Big, Blocky, and Bold
Then new 2024 Santa Fe brings a large and blocky styling to the market, making a huge departure from the previous version. This model looks so different from others that came before it that you might wonder how it can wear the same name as those that came before. The lighting has an H motif which is clearly sen during the day or night. If you remember the overall look and style of the Ford Flex, this seems to be where the new Santa Fe is going.
While it looks much larger than the 2023 version, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is only 1.8 inches longer than the previous version. The cabin is much bigger than before, featuring a six or seven-passenger configuration across three rows, unlike the two-row five-seat configuration of old. The blocky design enables the cabin area to be much larger, leading to ample space for more passengers and a third-row seat. In keeping with this new design, the cabin is modern, with new features to give this SUV a fresh and improved look and feel.
Two Santa Fe powertrains for your driving pleasure
Next spring, two different versions of this new Hyundai SUV will arrive in the United States. The first version uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels or all four in AWD models.
The second Santa Fe will be the Hybrid version, which is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce 232 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid model uses a 6-speed automatic transmission and is set up with full-time AWD.
It’s what’s on the inside that matters most
While most of us take this statement as a way of politely saying a person isn’t particularly attractive when it comes to the new Hyundai Santa Fe, the insides really do count more than the outside. This new Hyundai SUV is made for comfort and style via a much nicer cabin than before. This SUV has plenty of room and offers excellent outward visibility, ensuring the driver can see everything they want to from behind the wheel.
Looking around the cabin, you’ll find an attractive steering wheel that looks too good to be in a Hyundai, a single piece of curved glass with two 12.3-inch display screens beneath it, and separate climate controls for each front passenger. You’ll also see two wireless phone chargers and large cupholders, making it easy to take your phone and your favorite coffee drink with you when it’s time to head to work or take the family out for a weekend of fun.
Rear seating is comfortable in the new Santa Fe
The second-row captain’s chairs are nearly as comfortable and as adjustable as those in the front, making it easy to carry adult-sized passengers in this area of the SUV. The rear seats sit in an elevated, stadium-like position to give these passengers a great view out of the front. The rearmost seats are large enough for adults, but the center seats need to move forward to offer adequate legroom in this area of the SUV.
Does Hyundai need two three-row SUVs?
The Santa Fe and Palisade both compete in the midsize SUV class. The Palisade remains larger than the Santa Fe, which makes us wonder why the brand needs two models with three rows in its lineup. It seems consumers are searching for the versatility that comes with a third-row seat, making it easy to have enough space to carry additional passengers as desired. The Hyundai Santa Fe should continue to be smaller, more affordable, and more efficient than the Palisade, providing consumers with an excellent choice.
With the rear seats folded, the new 2024 Santa Fe offers 41 cubic feet of cargo space, which is five more than the previous model. You’ll also enjoy the versatility of a roof rack with places for your gear and a handhold to help you step onto the rear wheel to access the roof rack as needed.
Is the new Hyundai Santa Fe the right SUV for you? One test drive could answer that question for you.
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