2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

　　

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid debuted last year as a new entry in the crossover's already diverse lineup and offers another choice in a still relatively small group of compact hybrid SUVs. The 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid carries over unchanged, upstaged only slightly by this year's introduction of a Santa Fe plug-in hybrid (reviewed separately).

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Blue 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$113/mo  for Santa Fe Hybrid Blue

　　Santa Fe Hybrid Blue

　　Blue 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) - $34,300 MSRPSEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) - $38,360 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) (Most Popular) - $40,710 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The Santa Fe Hybrid adds increased fuel efficiency to the model's core strengths, which include a comfortable, eye-catching interior, a generous set of standard features, and a roomy cabin. The Santa Fe Hybrid gets up to 34 mpg combined, 10 more mpg than the gas-only, all-wheel-drive Santa Fe. An appealing price, standard all-wheel drive, and five-year comprehensive warranty sweeten the deal.

　　The Santa Fe's size also helps it stand out in the hybrid class. It's larger than the compact Honda CR-V Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid — with more interior volume and cargo space — but not as large (or unwieldy in tight confines) as three-row SUVs like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

　　The hybrid-powered Toyota Venza shares similar dimensions with the Santa Fe but doesn't offer near the cabin or cargo space. There's also the Sorento Hybrid, from Hyundai's sister brand, Kia, which shares similar size, power and features with the Santa Fe. If you need more space than a typical compact SUV offers while maintaining high fuel efficiency, move the Santa Fe Hybrid up your list.

　　

Which Santa Fe Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

In most lineups, the middle trim, or one near it, typically hits the sweet spot between a broadly appealing price and a robust set of standard features. It's tempting to default to the middle choice here, but we actually think the base-level Blue is the one to get. It comes with plenty of essentials and extras — heated front seats, Apple and Android phone connections, a wireless device charger — and advanced driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. It also nets the best fuel economy of the three with 34 mpg combined.

　　

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid models

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is available in three trim levels: Blue, SEL Premium and Limited. All three are powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system for 226 combined horsepower. A six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard across the board.

　　Blue

　　The base Santa Fe Hybrid comes well equipped, with standard features that include:

　　17-inch wheels LED headlights and taillights Keyless entry and ignition Remote start Heated side mirrors Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Leather-wrapped steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 8-inch digital display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Wireless charging pad Rear parking sensorsStandard driver aids include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the Santa Fe Hybrid back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Santa Fe Hybrid and the car in front)SEL Premium

　　Besides all of the Blue's features, the SEL Premium includes:

　　19-inch wheels Leather upholstery Power-adjustable passenger seat 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system 10.25-inch display with navigation Enhanced interior lighting, including illuminated doorsills Panoramic moonroof Enhanced adaptive cruise control (will assist with lane changes during highway driving)Limited

　　The top-level Limited trim includes everything available on the Santa Fe Hybrid. Features include:

　　Power-folding mirrors Additional adjustment on driver's seat Driver's seat memory settings Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Heated steering wheel Upgraded headliner material (suede) 115-volt power outlet Rain-sensing wipers Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Santa Fe Hybrid and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Blind-spot camera (displays image in instrument cluster when changing lanes) Remote Smart Parking Assist (allows low-speed vehicle control through a smartphone)

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