2024 Hyundai Santa Fe First Drive: Refreshed SUV Will Change Perceptions
The new Santa Fe makes a statement with its fresh and more attractive design.
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In a world where SUVs dominate, Hyundai took a bold step to make the 2024 Santa Fe three-row SUV boxy and rugged. Standing out among its competitors thanks to its long wheelbase, large windows, and Land Rover–esque styling, the new Santa Fe’s makeover goes beyond its outward looks. The new generation features a standard third row, more than 300 lb-ft of torque, and a premium cabin—and it’s only 2 inches longer than the outgoing model.
H Design Theme
Take a closer look at the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, and you’ll notice many H’s—big and small—other than the Hyundai logo. This new design theme, seen inside and outside, is part of the attention to detail Hyundai North American design boss Kevin Kang and his team worked on from home during the pandemic under the direction of SangYup Lee, head of Hyundai and Genesis global design. The H on the grille gives the 2024 Santa Fe a wider face, and the H’s on the headlights and taillights add a modern, rugged look. Inside, a wide H is seen on the dashboard that also gives the interior a spacious appearance, and smaller H’s are found on the seat backs. We’re used to seeing these kinds of details in luxury or flagship vehicles, but we hardly see them in an affordable midsize SUV.
Then there are practical details. The cargo opening, for instance, is more squared, which allows more stuff to fit in. The second and third rows of seats fold completely flat, allowing two adults of up to 6 feet tall to sleep in the car. This is possible thanks to the aforementioned 2-inch wheelbase stretch, but it was an engineering and design challenge as the new Santa Fe is only 2 inches longer overall than the outgoing model. A C-pillar grab handle allows easier access to the roof in case you’re putting luggage up there or accessing a rooftop tent.
Is This a Hyundai?
Besides the practical changes, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a ton of upgraded tech and safety features. A 12.3-inch display is standard across the board, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A fingerprint reader is standard on XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy models, allowing owners to access their own profile or set speed limits for valet mode.
On the safety front, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is loaded with features, including a new driver-attention monitor that uses an infrared camera sitting atop the steering column to make sure the pilot always looks at the road. We welcome the added safety, but the system was a bit aggressive during our drive, beeping at us when we’d glance briefly at someone in the passenger seat.
Our drive was mostly based on the fully loaded Santa Fe Calligraphy trim, which is the only model with dual wireless chargers in the center console. USB ports for second-row passengers are relocated to the front seat backs, making it easy to use your phone while it’s charging without having to buy a long cable.
Peppy Powertrain
The winding roads surrounding Franklin, Tennessee, were ideal for testing the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, providing us with a good opportunity to feel the engine’s character and passing response. While a hybrid model will be available in May 2024, we only tested the gas-powered Santa Fe with a 2.5-liter turbo engine making 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the front or rear wheels depending on the drivetrain configuration. Front drive is standard; all-wheel drive is an $1,800 option on all grades except XRT, which comes standard with AWD
We’re glad Hyundai made the turbo standard across the board, as the outgoing Santa Fe felt underpowered. The 2024 model feels more competitive and is in line in terms of power numbers with other midsize SUVs like the Honda Passport and Toyota Highlander. With the 2.5-turbo, the 2024 Santa Fe has adequate power and doesn’t struggle to pass on two-lane roads. From a stop, the Santa Fe feels peppy, with the transmission shifting smoothly and quickly. We didn’t have a chance to drive on freeways, but little road or wind noise penetrated the cabin on the tranquil roads around Franklin.
Despite its larger body and boxy shape, the Santa Fe felt smooth on the road. There was some body roll, but it all felt normal for this vehicle class, and the suspension kept vibrations away from the cabin. We wish the steering had more feedback from the road, but it felt well weighted for the segment, something most people will enjoy.
Adventure Ready
On private trails around the Franklin area, we also got behind the wheel of the 2024 Santa Fe XRT model—the off-road-focused variant. We were surprised by what it can do, given the only hardware differences from regular Santa Fes are its all-terrain tires and a slight suspension lift, giving it 1.3 inches of extra ground clearance compared to the rest of the lineup. With its center differential locked, the Santa Fe XRT climbed steep hills without hesitation, controlling wheel slip and sending the right amount of torque to each axle to conquer obstacles.
We also used the hill-descent control, which allows the Santa Fe to go down an incline slowly. All the driver has to do is control the speed with the pedals.
The XRT isn’t a rock crawler, but it will happily perform when taking families on camping adventures and similar outings. Granted, the trail we used was partially created by Hyundai for the Santa Fe launch event, but it didn’t struggle at all with any of the obstacles placed before it, which were more challenging than what most families will likely experience if they go overlanding.
Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Worth the Money?
Starting at $35,345, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe brings a lot of value for the money—it’s almost $8,000 cheaper than the Honda Passport’s starting price. Its cool, rugged styling is sure to be an inviting trait for many buyers who are tired of similarly styled crossover SUVs, and with the right technology and tons of attention to detail, the new Santa Fe is an attractive option for families looking for something fresh.
Prices for the Santa Fe Calligraphy max out at $50,195, and while that’s a lot of money, it’s still a bit shy of the most expensive Toyota Highlander. Compared to the three-row Hyundai Palisade, the Santa Fe is a bit less expensive but also has less interior room and targets a different audience.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is now in dealerships; the hybrid model will be available around May of this year.
Miguel Cortina is Mexico Editor at MotorTrend, covering the auto industry in the U.S. and south of the border. He joined MotorTrend in January 2015 and is an avid automotive enthusiast who enjoys playing golf, surfing, and running in his free time.
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