My Thoughts Exactly: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai introduced their first SUV for the USA market in 2001. The vehicle, called the Santa Fe, arrived as a softroader that delivered five people to wherever they wanted to go. 

Over the years, the Santa Fe was the anchor for all SUVs at Hyundai. Especially when SUVs were the norm in the automotive marketplace. The next few generations solidified the Santa Fe’s place as the “go-to” SUV, even when more such vehicles joined the Hyundai lineup.

One such generation spawned two different Santa Fes. One would become the Palisade and the other would drop the Sport name for some semblance of normality. 

In this business, being “normal” does not foster progression. You have to shake things up. Being predictable will not attract new customers to your products. 

That is why Hyundai introduced their fifth-generation Santa Fe as something different. Well…different than what you expected a Santa Fe to be. 

The new Santa Fe is slightly longer than its predecessor in both overall length and width. It is also taller than the previous model. While longer and taller, it is still several inches shorter than the Palisade. Therefore, it is debatable whether you would call this a mid-size SUV or not. 

For what it is, it is a complete design deviation than anything Hyundai offers in its lineup worldwide. Yet, some might pick out some elements that the designers may have gotten some inspiration for the new Santa Fe from…

The boxy design may make you think that it was inspired by the (Land Rover/JLR) Defender 130. Maybe. Up front, one could see some inspiration from the first-generation Scion xB or the Ford Flex. The rear end may have taken some cues from another automaker in the Republic of Korea that you may have never heard of – SsangYong.  

No matter whether you see the resemblance or not, this boxy design works visually overall. Up front, the upper grille is flanked by pair of LED headlamp units. These lighting units include a daytime running light/turn signal in the shape of an H. The huge bumper houses a lower grille that forces air up into the engine bay. 

The silhouette is mostly upright. Yet the rear area seems to be canted slighted rearward. You have a large glass area, broken up by a C-pillar with flaps for a grab handle. The wheel arches are of a semi-octagonal shape that defines the fenders even further. 

Looking at the rear, there is a taillamp unit that runs the entire width of the area and wraps around to the rear wheel arches. At the ends of the strip are the actual brake lights and turn signals – also in the shape of an H. the two taillight units are broken up by a black panel that houses the liftgate’s handle and release. The liftgate opens high for excellent loading and unloading of items from the rear cargo hold. 

This tester is the top-of-the-line Calligraphy model. The upgrades include a mesh grille texture and 21-inch alloy wheels on low-profile tires. All of this are finished in black – against this color called Earthy Brass Matte. Almost like Antique Brass, for those of us who either worked in the home improvement business or do their own home renovations. 

The exterior is quite compelling. The interior is also equally compelling. First off, it gives off a Range Rover vibe. Maybe a Discovery. Certainly, the interior of the Santa Fe has some inspiration from some JLR SUV. 

However, further inspection shows a lot of elements that are clearly Hyundai. The curved thin panel that stretches two-thirds of the dashboard is a series of current Hyundai elements. This panel houses two 12.3-inch screens – the customizable instrument cluster and the infotainment touchscreen. A 10-inch head-up display is added for better driver engagement and attention. 

The transmission is actuated by a twist control at the end of a rigid stalk from the steering column. Climate controls are now accessed by another touchscreen at the base of the center console. Every switch and control are excellent to the touch and logical.

On the Calligraphy model, occupants enjoy three rows of seats, including second-row captain’s chairs. All seats are upholstered in a light-colored Nappa leather. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, as are the second row-seats. To access the third row, push a button on top of the second-row seatbacks. The second-row seats will slide forward to enter the third row.

While your passengers are settling in, that’s when you turn up the 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system. You also have wireless smartphone integration and two wireless charging pads on the center console. There is plenty of stowage underneath the center console, as well. 

For cargo management, you start off with 14.6 cubic feet with the third-frow seats up. Once you fold the third-row seats down, that space expands to 40.5 cubic feet. For maximum cargo space, folding down the second- and third-row seats will expand to 79.6 cubic feet. 

The new Santa Fe has two power sources. Most models are powered by a 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 311 pound-feet of torque. Our tester has this driveline, which includes an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and Hyundai’s HTrac all-wheel drive system. 

In all, the Santa Fe Calligraphy does a great job cruising down the highway while exhibiting excellent passing maneuvers. In terms of fuel economy, we averaged 23.1 MPG.

Ride quality was very good. The suspension system does a great job smoothing out road imperfections. This SUV takes corners quite well, without much lean or roll. While a bit taller than the last generation model, the Santa Fe is more stable overall. 

The steering system offered a tight turning radius and solid response from the wheel. Braking is also decent with a soft pedal feel and response. However, the system turned in some solid stops in normal and panic situations.

You now have eight 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe models to choose from – three of them are hybrids, while the others are powered by that turbocharged ICE motor. Pricing starts at $33,950. This matte finished Calligraphy tester with all-wheel drive came with a sticker price of $50,905. 

Unlike previous generations, the Santa Fe now has a stand-out design. A curve ball that we least expected from Hyundai. You may have a few opinions about it, at first. We could possibly that you’ll warm up to it. 

Again, you look at how different this is compared to every other softroading SUV in the marketplace. It should be able to follow the likes of a Ford Bronco, Defender 130, or INEOS Grenadier. In reality, the XRT version of the Santa Fe might be able to do that – but, that’s another review.  

Yet, families want a vehicle that does the job of transporting them to points A, B, C, and so on. They also want something that’s spacious, entertaining, comfortable, and smile-inducing over each mile. Gee, that sounds like a Hyundai Santa Fe. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Hyundai Motor America

All photos by Randy Stern