Courtesy of Hyundai
Within the SUV enterprise, the place competitors is more and more cutthroat, a model has to have as many instruments in its arsenal as potential.
For Hyundai, its Santa Fe midsize SUV has been round for over twenty years, and at present affords nearly each variant you’ll be able to think about — from ICE variations, to plain hybrid, to plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Of word is that the Santa Fe is wrapping up its present design earlier than its radically totally different, model new 2024 model goes on sale early subsequent 12 months. As is the case when any redesign happens, the chance could come up to catch a worth break on 2023 Santa Fe fashions that sellers might want off the lot.
I just lately examined a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV — which competes primarily with plug-in hybrid choices from Ford, Toyota, Kia and others — and I’m again with a full report.
FYI
- Automobile: 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV
- Value as examined: $48,915
- Finest characteristic: Sturdy tech setup, dwelling charging retains you away from the gasoline station
- Ranking: 4 out of 5 stars
- Who will need this car?: Consumers looking for a halfway level between common hybrids and pure EVs, in an SUV with robust design and tech.
LOOKS
Essentially the most noticeable factor on the Santa Fe PHEV’s exterior design is the big and daring entrance grille, that includes a chain-link fashion design that will get your consideration.
The charging port could be discovered on the rear of the car, and roof rails are featured on prime.
The outside design on the 2023 mannequin is enjoyable to the attention, however maybe much less placing than the brand new 2024 mannequin that was simply unveiled. Consumers could make the selection of what appeals to them extra between the 2.
My check car featured 19-inch alloy wheels, high-quality LED lighting that improved car security, energy folding aspect mirrors and a panoramic sunroof.
Shifting inside, you’ll discover comfy seating for 5 passengers. Leather-based seating and trim supplies are high-end, with nothing feeling overly low-cost. You get loads of distinctive small storage areas all through the car, together with a shelf above the glove field, and one other shelf under the middle console.
Controls for the infotainment system, and the distinctive gear shifter buttons, are situated on a big heart console space.
Reducing rear seats could be performed by way of push-button, and rear seat cup holders are included. All seats are comfy, and cargo house is great for the category, at 36.4 cubic ft with seats up, and 72.1 cubic ft with rear seats down.
The car options ventilated entrance seats; heated entrance and second-row seats, 60/40 break up folding 2nd row seats, heated steering wheel, auto temperature controls, guide rear and aspect window sunshades, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV is powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine plus an electrical motor. Its whole output is 261 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.
A 13.8-kWh battery pack permits for as much as 31 miles of electrical driving. Hyundai makes all-wheel drive commonplace on the Santa Fe PHEV, and a six-speed computerized transmission is included together with paddle shifters.
Relying in your driving scenario, a dial enables you to select between Eco, Sport, Sensible and Snow modes. It’s also possible to change between EV and hybrid modes with the contact of a button.
Conventional ICE variations of the Santa Fe supply a pair of engine choices, providing both 191 or 277 horsepower. And the normal, non plug-in hybrid affords 226 horsepower.
So the PHEV is without doubt one of the greatest decisions to make in order for you a extra highly effective model of the Santa Fe.
In my expertise behind the wheel of the Santa Fe PHEV, it was a reliable car to drive with respectable acceleration. Zero to 60 time is across the 7-second mark.
General, the journey was easy and quiet, however highly effective after I wanted it to be. You gained’t break any pace information, however it’s a stable expertise throughout and also you’ll by no means really feel underpowered. Dealing with is responsive and the car handles curves fairly successfully for its measurement.
The Santa Fe PHEV is rated to tow up as much as 3,500 kilos.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV contains a user-friendly infotainment system with controls which might be simple and never complicated.
There’s a commonplace 10.3-inch touchscreen up prime for leisure and navigation. Under it, you will see useful bodily buttons for local weather controls, gear shifting, seat heating and cooling, and extra.
Voice instructions within the Santa Fe PHEV have been efficient, with little to no hiccups. And the car’s sound system was booming and clear.
One distinctive characteristic that Hyundai affords is Sounds of Nature — an atmosphere possibility providing sound choices reminiscent of Vigorous Forest, On a Crusing Ship, Metropolis at Daybreak, Expertise the Universe, Wet Day, Second of Meditation and Heat Hearth that can assist you clear your thoughts in your drive.
Each Santa Fe PHEV additionally contains a 12.3-inch digital show in entrance of the drive, and each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come commonplace. A wi-fi charging pad is featured within the entrance row, and each rows get USB ports.
Upgrades on the highest trim degree embrace a extra highly effective 12-speaker/630 watt sound system, and surround-view cameras.
Shifting on to the Santa Fe PHEV’s security options, commonplace objects embrace:
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, which is able to warn the motive force when a car exhibits up in a blind spot throughout lane modifications
- Adaptive cruise management, which retains a correct distance between you and the automotive forward
- Ahead collision mitigation warning, which helps you to know if a collision goes to occur, and might apply brakes by itself
- Lane centering system, which retains drivers correctly of their lane
- Driver consideration warning, which displays for fatigue
Further choices embrace an automatic parking system that steers the Santa Fe into parking spots with out driver involvement required, and the blind-spot digicam that shows what it’s seeing in blind spots on the instrument panel in entrance of the motive force.
The surround-view cameras allow you to see what’s throughout your car, even providing a birds-eye view from up prime. That is nice in tight parking conditions.
Add all that up, and the result’s that the Santa Fe PHEV holds as much as authorities testing and will get a five-star security ranking for 2023.
FUEL MILEAGE, ELECTRIC RANGE
Relying in your each day driving habits, the plug-in Santa Fe could be very helpful to avoiding the gasoline station.
The car affords a complete of 31 all-electric miles on a full battery cost. So for those who’re charging your car at dwelling nightly (a full cost will take about 3.5 hours with a 240V charger), and your each day driving covers 30 miles or much less, you possibly can in idea go a really very long time with out ever filling up the gasoline tank.
As soon as these 31 electrical miles are used, the gasoline engine will kick in and take you the remainder of the way in which in your each day journeys.
The mixed gas-electric ranking on the is 76 MPGe. And a 33 MPG common comes with the gas-only driving.
In case you’re driving no less than 50 miles a day, I’d suggest skipping the plug-in and as a substitute selecting the common hybrid model of the Santa Fe. The common hybrid is rated at 36 mpg metropolis and 31 mpg freeway.
PRICE
Hyundai’s pricing on the Sante Fe lineup is cheap, and varies relying on the kind of Santa Fe you might be shopping for. A normal ICE Santa Fe begins round $30K, the hybrid begins round $37K, PHEV begins round $43K, and my check car was priced at $48,915.
The PHEV particularly is barely inexpensive than Toyota RAV4 Prime, a key competitor. There are two trim ranges on the PHEV — SEL Comfort and Restricted.
Shifting as much as the Restricted mannequin will get you further options such because the panoramic sunroof, leather-based upholstery and heated rear seats.
There are additionally some full EVs that are shut in worth to the Santa Fe PHEV if you wish to totally leap into the charging way of life.
Hyundai has all of the powertrain choices lined with the Santa Fe, relying in your driving wants and what suits your way of life, which is a smart transfer.
One other plus is that Hyundai’s warranties are industry-leading, together with:
- 5-year/60K new car guarantee
- 10-year/100K powertrain guarantee
- 10-year/100K hybrid system parts guarantee
- 10-year/100K hybrid battery guarantee
- 3-year/36K complimentary upkeep
- 5-year/limitless mile roadside help
BOTTOM LINE
On the dimensions of eco-friendly automobiles, the Santa Fe PHEV is a stable center floor between commonplace hybrids and full EVs.
With common dwelling charging and restricted each day miles, you’ll be able to drive more often than not as an EV, however you will have backup capacity to make use of gasoline for longer journeys — a better of each worlds state of affairs.
Mix that with high quality design and efficiency credentials, and the Santa Fe PHEV makes a powerful case as the most effective plug-ins accessible immediately that doesn’t price a king’s ransom.
Matt Myftiu’s previous opinions can all be seen on-line at autotechreviews.com. Observe AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews.
