HyundaiSanta Fe

　　

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Hyundai Santa Fe has always been a popular and well-regarded midsize SUV, but up until a couple of years ago, it was fairly bland. That changed in 2021 when Hyundai gave the Santa Fe a new grille and a refreshed interior design. It's not as distinctive-looking as its smaller sibling, the more angular Hyundai Tucson, but it's a spacious and attractive crossover you won't mind driving.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) 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

　　$145/mo  for Santa Fe SE

　　Santa Fe SE

　　SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $28,750 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $30,450 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $32,450 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $34,150 MSRPXRT 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $34,250 MSRPXRT 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) - $35,950 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $40,600 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $42,300 MSRPCalligraphy 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $42,600 MSRPCalligraphy 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $44,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Buying a Santa Fe brings a lot of features for the money and pleasing acceleration if you opt for the available turbocharged engine. But there are some rivals you'll also want to consider, such as the Honda Passport, Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. To see if the Santa Fe strikes the right balance for your life, check the feedback in our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Santa Fe drive? We tested the Santa Fe with the 277-horsepower turbocharged engine. It's pretty potent and our test vehicle covered 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, which is quicker than most other small and midsize SUVs. However, if you aren't asking for maximum speed, its power delivery is a bit inconsistent and unrefined. Hyundai seems to have tuned the eight-speed automatic transmission to get up to its highest gears as quickly as possible, which can also be off-putting.

　　The Santa Fe leans a lot as you go around turns, so it's definitely not as planted as a Mazda CX-5. This is an SUV for highway cruising, not sporty driving. But the Santa Fe's steering is pleasantly tuned, making for easy low-speed maneuverability and decent highway stability.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Santa Fe? The Santa Fe's suspension soaks up most bumps and road impacts, but the ride can sometimes feel a little too soft and wallowy. But the front seats are very comfortable and have a broad range of adjustments and available heating and ventilation. The rear seats are also comfortable and have lots of recline adjustment, though we'd prefer thicker padding on the door armrests.

　　The Santa Fe has excellent cabin insulation thanks to dual-pane front windows and comprehensive sound deadening. Wind, road and ambient noise is very much kept at bay. The climate controls are easy to adjust and do a great job of keeping cabin temperatures pleasant.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below