2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
Overview
For those who don’t need a third row of seats but still like the idea of a mid-size crossover, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a comfortable, spacious cabin and a premium appearance, earning it a spot on our Editors’ Choice list. Four different powertrains are offered, including hybrid and a plug-in hybrid variants. The Santa Fe is fairly satisfying to drive, although none of the models could be called outright athletic. Hyundai has baked in a host of driver-assistance features as standard, and the Santa Fe’s infotainment technology is on par with other SUVs in this segment. Four adults should find ample space across the Santa Fe’s two rows and cargo space that’s generous enough to hold bulky items or a load of luggage.
What’s New for 2022?
A plug-in hybrid powertrain joins the Santa Fe lineup for 2022. This 260-hp option also delivers up to 31 miles of electric-only driving per charge, but is unfortunately limited in its availability. Unless you live in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, or Vermont, you may have to wait for the Santa Fe PHEV to make its nationwide debut. In the meantime, you could select the new XRT trim level, which is based on the nonhybrid Santa Fe. The XRT adds a more rugged exterior appearance by adding side steps, skid plates, and a unique wheel design.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
SE
$28,495
SEL
$30,745
XRT
$34,045
Blue hybrid
$35,595
SEL Premium hybrid
$39,655
$40,705
SEL Convenience PHEV
$41,295
Limited hybrid
$42,005
Calligraphy
$42,705
LImited PHEV
$47,305
The mid-range SEL is our pick of the lineup. Its price tag puts it in reach of a broad range of buyers but it still offers plenty of features that the modern family will find desirable, such as heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, heated exterior mirrors, SiriusXM satellite radio, and passive keyless entry with push-button start.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Santa Fe is available with a quartet of powertrains that now includes both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191-hp, and buyers can opt for the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter mill that makes 277-hp. Both pair with an unobtrusive eight-speed automatic transmission and standard front- or optional all-wheel drive. The hybrid model makes do with a six-speed automatic, uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a pair of electric motors to make 226-hp, and comes standard with all-wheel drive. At our test track, an XRT model with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder proved poky, requiring 9.6 seconds to reach 60 mph. If you’re looking for a Santa Fe with a perkier feel, we’d suggest going with the turbocharged model. In our test drive of a loaded Calligraphy model with the turbocharged four-cylinder, we recorded a sprightly 6.0-second zero-to-60-mph time. The Santa Fe provides a relaxed and stable ride during everyday duties and just enough agility and steering feedback to satisfy those who enjoy driving. Those looking for a more vivid driving experience in their SUV should see the Chevy Blazer or Honda Passport.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The plug-in hybrid model uses a 12.4-kWh battery pack to deliver up to 31 miles of electric-only driving. The powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor which together put out 260-hp combined.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the 2022 Santa Fe with the non-turbo four-cylinder will earn up to 25 mpg city and 28 highway. The optional turbocharged version has ratings as high as 22 mpg city and 28 highway. The hybrid model earned ratings as high as 36 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, part of our comprehensive testing regimen, our all-wheel-drive Calligraphy test vehicle managed 27 mpg. For more information about the Santa Fe’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Hyundai interiors are better known for their solid build quality and worthwhile features rather than edgy designs and upscale materials. Still, the Santa Fe has an attractive cabin that offers a variety of contemporary options that include a digital gauge cluster, head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and more. Last year, the Santa Fe received slight tweaks to the interior design that aligned it more closely with the larger and more luxurious Palisade SUV. Its most impressive attribute is generous passenger space in both rows that are a boon on long road trips. The Santa Fe also has ample cargo space behind the back seat where we stuffed 15 carry-on bags and an additional 18 with the rear seat folded flat.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Outfitted with a dashboard-topping 8.0- or 10.3-inch touchscreen that includes user-friendly controls and desirable features, every Santa Fe delivers a pleasant infotainment experience. It serves up standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as optional wireless charging and a 630-watt, 12-speaker audio system.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Santa Fe comes with a ton of standard driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. For more information about the Santa Fe’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Hyundai has one of the best warranty plans on the market that’s highlighted by a lengthy powertrain coverage. The company also now offers complimentary scheduled maintenance that bests mainstream rivals such as Toyota.
Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles Complimentary maintenance covers three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $35,745/$36,340
Options: Calypso Red paint, $400; carpeted floor mats, $195
ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 152 in3, 2497 cm3
Power: 191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque: 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/12.0-in disc
Tires: Kumho Crugen Premium
235/60R-18 103H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.9 in
Length: 188.4 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 67.3 in
Passenger Volume: 112 ft3
Cargo Volume: 36 ft3
Curb Weight: 3858 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 9.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 17.2 sec @ 82 mph
100 mph: 26.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 9.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.85 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 29 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 540 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 24/22/25 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$43,440 (base: $43,285)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement
152 in3, 2497 cm3
Power
277 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
311 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.6-in vented disc/12.0-in disc
Tires: Hankook Dynapro HP2, 235/55R-19 101H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.9 in
Length: 188.4 in
Width: 74.8 in
Height: 66.3 in
Passenger volume: 113 ft3
Cargo volume: 36 ft3
Curb weight: 4060 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.0 sec
1/4 mile: 14.5 sec @ 99 mph
100 mph: 14.8 sec
120 mph: 23.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 131 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.81 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 27 mpg
Highway range: 500 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 24/21/28 mpg
More Features and Specs
