Can We Forgive the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid For Being Slow?

Wait, this isn’t the Palisade? You’d be forgiven for thinking the boxy new Santa Fe ute is now Hyundai’s flagship SUV, thanks to its standout exterior and plush cabin. And given those fresh accoutrements, the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid presents as an enticing choice for buyers looking to get into a smaller and more efficient three-row SUV. Sliding in at just over $50,000 fully loaded, the upscale Calligraphy trim of the updated Santa Fe is luxurious as well, although it’s not without its flaws, as we found out during our testing.

Dazzling Interior

Hyundai did its best work redesigning the cabin of the Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy. Soft surfaces, textured wood trim, and a large user-friendly screen populate the dashboard, with veins of ambient lighting further enlivening the interior. The decadent Nappa leather seats proved comfortable even after hours of driving. Compared to a loaded refreshed 2024 Kia Sorento we recently drove, the newer Santa Fe Calligraphy features higher-quality materials and more straightforward cabin controls.

To better attune to its audience, several clever storage solutions were also included for the Santa Fe. An additional glove box located above the traditional one is a good use of space, as are the cargo hooks on the backs of the front seats. The center console box can open to the second-row passengers, as does a storage bin located directly underneath the compartment.

In terms of conveniences, the Santa Fe checks off almost all the boxes. Not only does it come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the Santa Fe lineup, but the Calligraphy also receives dual wireless phone charging pads. Other standard options include an adjustable head-up display, over-the-air software update capability, power reclining captain’s chairs, and heating for the first and second row seats. There are also a few unexpected extras, including a UV-C sanitizer compartment and in-car payment system. Instead of a panoramic sunroof, however, the top-dog Santa Fe features a dual-pane sunroof.

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No Penalty Box

Third-row passengers won’t feel neglected, either, as they’re treated to cupholders, vents, climate controls, USB phone chargers, a 115-volt outlet, and plenty of lighting. It’s especially easy to attach car seats back here due to the protruding lower anchors. My toddler had just enough room here when positioned directly behind another car seat in the second row. It offered enough space for this almost 5’3” tall author to sit comfortably, too. Sitting back here, however, we discovered a somewhat prominent hump on the outermost edge of the passenger floor. If you want to stretch your legs out a little bit in the third row, one of your legs will sit higher than the other, limiting your comfort level. On the plus side, the new Santa Fe’s wide opening cargo bay adds functionality to the small space behind the third row when the seats are up.

Slow Burn

There’s no denying it: This SUV moves at a leisurely pace.

With 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque all in from its 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine and e-motor combo, backed by a six-speed automatic and AWD on this model, the Santa Fe Hybrid is down 46 ponies and 40 lb-ft from the gas-only Santa Fe. Nevertheless, it’s a little surprising that it took 9.8 seconds to reach the 60-mph mark. That's considerably slower than rivals we’ve tested, including a gas-fed 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring (8.6 seconds), a 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX (8.4 seconds), and a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD Platinum (8.4 seconds). It’s also more sedate than a previous-generation Santa Fe Hybrid AWD Limited we tested at 8.2 seconds to 60 mph. It’s too slow to be accounted for by the slight drop in power- and torque-to-weight ratio, so we are attributing extreme hot weather for potentially compromising both the turbo and battery’s ability to do their jobs and for our weather correction factors to equalize everything.

Thankfully though, it doesn’t feel like a tortoise in everyday driving. We had no problem smoothly merging onto the highway or passing other cars in this hybrid SUV. Enthusiastic drivers may be disappointed, but compensating for its general lack of vigor is an estimated fuel economy rating of 35/34 mpg city/highway, making it significantly more efficient than the regular gas-powered Santa Fe, which tops out at 20/28 mpg when paired with AWD.

Another redeeming quality is the hybrid’s solid performance in our 60–0 mph braking tests. Our test team praised its short pedal travel and good body control when coming to a complete stop. Its stopping distance of 124 feet is on par with competitors and the previous-gen Santa Fe.

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In the Curves

In contrast to its exceptional interior, the Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t quite feel like a luxury SUV is its noise levels on the road. It isn’t particularly quiet at speed, letting a decent amount of noise into the cabin. Yet the ride proved drama-free as it tackled potholes and bumpy roads with poise, and the big SUV feels remarkably planted around corners. Similar to what we noted in our non-hybrid Santa Fe first drive, its steering feels relaxed yet appropriate for a vehicle this size. There’s no getting past its footprint on a canyon road or in the parking lot, but families will enjoy the comfortable drive.

On the track, the test team reported that the Santa Fe Hybrid exhibited reasonably good body control and smooth transmission shifts. It rounded our figure eight in 28.7 seconds at an average 0.57 g, suggesting it’s a bit less agile than the Outback (27.8 seconds at 0.59 g), Sorento Hybrid (27.7 seconds at 0.62 g), and Highlander Hybrid (28.4 seconds at 0.58 g). The figure-eight test measures acceleration, braking, cornering, and the transitions in between.

An Extra Set of Hands and Feet

Sometimes, the best part of driving is watching the car do much of the work for you. Road tripping in stop-and-go traffic with two toddlers is a recipe for disaster, yet the Santa Fe lightened much of the load thanks to its Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) system that’s standard on the Calligraphy trim. It can resume driving even after long pauses, accelerating and decelerating smoothly to keep pace with traffic. Steering assist quite accurately moves with the curves of the road. This version of HDA also features lane change assist, which helps the driver safely switch lanes upon activation of the turn signal. As we described about a Korean-spec tester, the lane change assist is not particularly helpful, as it requires just the right amount of steering touch or else it will deactivate.

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Worth It?

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s easygoing acceleration doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. What it lacks in quickness, it makes up for in composure and efficiency. Perhaps more important, the interior is a nice place for families with young kids to spend time. Practical and plushly equipped, this vehicle makes a strong showing as a near-luxury midsize SUV.