2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review: Is This the Smartest 7-Seater SUV You Can Buy?

What Is the Hyundai Santa Fe?

The Hyundai Santa Fe is in its fifth generation and represents a major design departure for the model, adopting an upright, squared-off stance that references classic 4x4s rather than conventional SUV curves.

The fifth-generation UK range launched in Premium, Ultimate and Calligraphy trims, with seven seats as standard. A six-seat configuration was available as an option on Calligraphy models. The plug-in hybrid is four-wheel drive, while hybrid versions were offered with two- or four-wheel drive. The Ultimate PHEV tested here produces 253PS and offers up to 33.6 miles of electric-only range.

What makes the Hyundai Santa Fe stand out:

• H-shaped headlight signature with indicators that turn orange, creating a distinctive front identity
• 621 litres of luggage space with the seats up, expanding to 1,949 litres with the rear seats folded
• 100kg roof load capacity
• Double-decker centre console with extensive storage and dual wireless charging on the tested specification
• Sliding second-row seats and a thoughtfully equipped third row with climate controls, USB-C ports and ISOFIX points
• UV-C sterilisation compartment on top-spec Calligraphy models

What Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Look Like?

The Santa Fe's fifth-generation design makes no attempt at subtlety. Its tall, upright proportions put it close in size to a Land Rover Discovery Sport, while the slab-sided profile leads Vicki to describe it as looking more like a bus than a car. Hyundai has used the H of the brand name as the primary front design element, with the H shape expressed in the headlights which illuminate orange when the indicators or hazard lights activate. Dual active air flaps in the front bumper automatically open and close according to driving conditions to help manage airflow and engine cooling. The wheel arches are defined by multiple angular planes that add visual presence.

Towards the rear the windows progressively darken. Roof rails feature a distinctive bridge design for a purposeful appearance and support a 100kg roof load capacity. The rear bumper incorporates indicators and reverse lights at a height that reflects the car's tall stance. A rear wiper is concealed inside the spoiler, preserving the clean line of the tailgate.

How Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Drive?

Performance and Power Delivery

The 1.6-litre turbocharged PHEV produces 253PS and covers 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds. Its official electric-only range is up to 33.6 miles WLTP, which Vicki describes in the review as just over 30 miles. She stresses that regularly plugging it in matters, otherwise you are carrying the extra weight of the hybrid system without making proper use of it.

Performance is not the Santa Fe's strength. Vicki finds it underpowered when asked to accelerate hard, while the petrol engine sounds rough as the revs rise and the regenerative braking can feel grabby as the car slows. She concludes that the powertrain needs to blend together better when the pace increases.

The Santa Fe uses a six-speed automatic gearbox. In Sport mode the steering wheel paddles act as manual gear selectors, while outside Sport mode they adjust the regenerative braking strength, including a setting that can bring the car to a complete stop.

Ride and Handling

Comfort is where the Santa Fe works best. Vicki praises the combination of good body control and soft suspension, which allows it to glide over the majority of lumps and bumps when driven at a relaxed pace.

Sport mode makes the steering feel a little more responsive, but it remains light. That works well around town, although Vicki finds it less rewarding on faster roads. The brake pedal also has a long travel, and under braking the Santa Fe's 2,000kg-plus weight becomes much more apparent.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Practical?

Boot and Storage:

The seven-seat PHEV offers 621 litres of luggage space with the seats up, expanding to 1,949 litres with the rear seats folded. There is no underfloor storage in the boot, so charging cables need to be stored elsewhere. Hooks and loops secure bags in place, and a 12V power socket is accessible when all seats are in use.

Rear Seats:

Second-row seats slide, recline and fold to create a wide range of passenger and luggage combinations, although Vicki finds the manual operation somewhat cumbersome and wishes more of it was electrically assisted. In the third row there are reclining seatbacks, charging points, cupholders, climate controls and ISOFIX points for child seats. One small practicality drawback is that the parcel shelf only has a dedicated storage position when the third-row seats are folded.

Interior Storage:

The double-decker centre console provides two wireless chargers, cupholders and configurable storage boxes within boxes, meeting the demands of full family occupancy. Door pockets, a standard glovebox and additional storage in the rear armrest complement the main console. An additional upper glovebox compartment provides extra storage in the Ultimate. On top-spec Calligraphy models, this area gains Hyundai's UV-C sterilisation function.

What Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Like?

Cabin:

Vicki describes the interior as having the feel of a members' club, with sleek lines, wood panels and heated and ventilated front seats on the Ultimate. A combination of real leather, artificial leather and recycled materials creates a premium feel, though the recycled headlining material is susceptible to marking and warrants care when loading larger items.

Infotainment:

The central touchscreen receives over-the-air software updates when the ignition is on, with installation completing when it is off to avoid delays. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect wirelessly. A slim bar of controls beneath the main screen manages driving modes including on-road, off-road, mud, snow and sand settings.

Climate Control:

The dedicated climate control panel is easy to use, although its touch-sensitive buttons give no physical click when pressed, so you may need to glance down to check an input has registered.

Driver Assistance:

Lane keep assist and driver-attention warnings are among the Santa Fe's assistance systems. The programmable star button on the steering wheel can be used as a shortcut to switch off the warnings Vicki finds most intrusive, although she notes that an occasional alert can still get through.

What Wheels and Tyres Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Have?

The tested Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate rides on 20-inch silver alloy wheels fitted with Kumho Ecsta PS71 tyres in 255/45 R20. Hyundai lists the PS71 in 255/45 R20 105V XL in its official tyre information for the Santa Fe PHEV, confirming it as an OE fitment.

The Kumho Ecsta PS71 is an ultra-high-performance tyre designed to deliver strong wet and dry braking and stable handling at higher speeds.

The Kumho Ecsta PS71 is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on DriverReviews, based on more than 7,000 driver reviews.

How Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Compare to Rivals?

Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento is the Santa Fe's most direct competitor, offering similar seven-seat practicality and electrified powertrains. It comes with Kia's seven-year warranty, two years longer than Hyundai's, but Vicki finds the Santa Fe more spacious and comfortable. The Sorento therefore has the advantage on warranty cover, while the Santa Fe makes the stronger case for passenger space and comfort.

Santa Fe vs Volvo XC90

For buyers wanting something more premium, Vicki points to the Volvo XC90, which offers even more space and comfort but costs at least £20,000 more. The Santa Fe gives you much of the same large-family SUV appeal at a considerably lower price.

Santa Fe vs Kia EV9

If you want to go fully electric, Vicki also recommends considering the seven-seat Kia EV9. It offers a similar focus on space and family practicality, but without the Santa Fe's petrol engine or plug-in hybrid system.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Worth Buying?

The Santa Fe makes a strong case for family buyers who prioritise space, comfort and practicality. Vicki loves the bold design and the way it looks after its passengers, but the PHEV is less convincing when driven quickly, where its weight, long brake pedal travel and rougher powertrain behaviour become more noticeable.

The case for the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV:

• Spacious seven-seat interior with a genuinely useful third row
• Comfortable ride with a good balance of body control and soft suspension
• Thoughtful storage throughout the cabin
• Third-row climate controls, charging points, cupholders and ISOFIX
• 100kg roof load capacity
• Distinctive, boxy design that Vicki particularly likes

Before you buy:

• Feels underpowered when asked to accelerate hard
• Petrol engine can sound rough as the revs rise
• Regenerative braking can feel grabby when slowing down
• Long brake pedal travel highlights the car's 2,000kg-plus weight
• No underfloor boot storage for the charging cables
• Rear-seat folding and adjustment can be cumbersome
• PHEV makes most sense if it is plugged in regularly