2022 Hyundai Santa Fe: A Stylish And Affordable Combination

The Hyundai Santa Fe slots in between the compact Tucson and the midsize three-row Palisade. It comfortably seats five, has more room than the Tucson, and is more maneuverable and cheaper than the larger Palisade. For 2022, the Santa Fe offers a spacious, comfortable cabin and an upscale appearance. For the SEL Santa Fe, there are three different powertrain options to choose from, and the vehicle is quite satisfying to drive, though one wouldn’t call it athletic. The Santa Fe SEL is the sweet spot of the Hyundai lineup, having enough tech and comfort to suit everyone’s needs and priced just right.

The SEL comes with a standard 2.5 liters four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181-pound-feet of torque and is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This configuration comes standard in front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive an additional extra.

The SEL trim also comes in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The regular hybrid setup includes a smaller turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which is assisted by a 44 kW motor powered by a 1.5 kWh battery. Combined this powertrain produces 226 horsepower. This hybrid powertrain is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox that sends power through a standard AWD system. The hybrid powertrain achieves 36 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid comes with the same engine as the hybrid but with a more powerful motor rated at 67 kW to produce a combined output of 261 horsepower.

The standard engine gets the job done, but only just. Around town and in low-speed situations it is responsive and provides sufficient grunt to get you moving. But on the highway, the engine has to rev hard to maintain those speeds and struggles with the occasional passing. At higher RPMs the engine sounds out of its depth, sounding strained. But one good thing from this powertrain is the eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s smooth and prompt. In terms of fuel consumption, the SEL’s engine gets good mileage numbers with an EPA rating of 25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid model gets an estimated 76 mpge which includes 30 miles of all-electric range.

The steering is quick and weighs up at higher speeds, and the vehicle feels composed and surefooted around turns. On the other hand, the suspension is quite firm and uneven roads tend to jolt and jockey the vehicle around.

The Santa Fe has an attractive cabin that offers a variety of contemporary options including a digital gauge cluster, heads-up display plus heated and ventilated seats. The SEL comes standard with an 8 inch infotainment screen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But also available are two optional packages offered, the convenience and premium packages. The premium package is a $4060 option that adds leather upholstery, a 10.25 inch touch screen that requires wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, driving assist, and a panoramic roof.

The large door openings make it easy to get in and out, and both the front and rear rows offer plenty of head and leg room. Visibility is good due to the decent size rear windows and little obstruction from the headrests. The Santa Fe’s cargo space is decent, at 36.4 cubic feet. Hyundai’s electronic gear selector frees up a lot of space underneath the center console. The cup holders are smartly designed to prevent drinks tipping over and there’s usable space in the armrest bin as well as the glovebox region.

The Santa Fe SEL comes with a lot of driver assistance aids, these include: forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, driver attention warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and as optional with the premium package is lane-keeping assist.

Hyundai offers one of the best warranty plans on the market. The company offers complimentary maintenance that covers three years or 36,000 miles. Powertrain warranty is comprehensive at 10 years or 100,000 miles, and limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles.

The Santa Fe SEL is reliable, stylish and affordable. The exterior updates keep it fresh and the signature lights provide excellent illumination at night. The Interior is comfortable, the materials used are of good quality and there is plenty of room across the cabin. It is affordable, competent to drive, and is backed up by Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty. When compared to other compact crossovers, Santa Fe provides everything a customer would need.