2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV

　　

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Technically, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is classified as a small SUV, but compared to others in the class, it's slightly larger and represents an unusual half step toward larger midsize SUVs. Yet some of its smaller rivals not only offer more passenger and cargo space but also can be more affordable, maneuverable and fuel-efficient.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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) - $36,210 MSRPSEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) - $40,070 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) (Most Popular) - $41,870 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Still, the Santa Fe remains a solid choice over traditional non-hybrid SUVs. It returns up to 34 mpg combined, handily beating the standard Santa Fe by 9 mpg, and it isn't significantly more expensive. Add in Hyundai's reputation for offering plenty of features and a very generous warranty, and the Santa Fe Hybrid makes a strong case.

　　We think shoppers will easily see why the 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid is worth their attention, but they will be better served by our class favorite and zzdcar Top Rated SUV, the Kia Sportage Hybrid. We'd also suggest checking out the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape hybrids. These smaller alternatives feature smarter packaging and improved fuel economy, and they could save you some money both at the dealership and down the road.

　　

Which Santa Fe Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

We recommend sticking with the base Blue trim in the lineup, especially now that it comes with the larger infotainment touchscreen and navigation system. Among the few reasons to pay more for the SEL Premium are its upgraded audio system and surround-view camera.

　　

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 Hands-free liftgate Acoustic-laminated side glass Digital key, Android only (lets smartphone serve as the vehicle's key) Cloth upholstery Power-adjustable driver's seat Power-folding second-row seat Heated front seats Leather-wrapped steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen Navigation Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Wireless charging pad Manual rear seat sunshades Rear parking sensors Automatic high beamsStandard driver aids include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assistance (steers the Santa Fe Hybrid back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts 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) Highway Driving Assist (enhanced lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control functionality) Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind) SEL Premium

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

　　19-inch wheels Synthetic leather upholstery Power-adjustable passenger seat 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Enhanced interior lighting, including illuminated doorsills Panoramic moonroof Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Santa Fe Hybrid and its surroundings in tight parking situations) Blind-spot camera (displays image in instrument cluster when changing lanes)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 Leather upholstery 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) Remote Smart Parking Assist (allows low-speed vehicle control through a smartphone)

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