Interested buyers can choose from a pair of Santa Fe PHEV trim levels – SEL Convenience and Limited. A 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor make up the power source, putting out a combined 261 horsepower. The other major mechanical components are a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and an all-wheel drivetrain. A ’23 Santa Fe PHEV equipped with trailer brakes and a tow hitch can pull as much as 2,000 pounds.
As mentioned, the vehicle’s all-electric drive range is approximately 30 miles, equating to 76 MPGe (miles per-gallon of gasoline equivalent). When it’s running under gas-engine power, the EPA has estimated it will achieve 33 mpg in both city and highway driving. Charging the battery to capacity can be done in as little as four hours when the Santa Fe PHEV is plugged in to a 240V outlet. Regenerative braking can add small increments of charge to the battery by capturing and storing kinetic energy produced by the vehicle’s stopping process.
As the lower-cost 2023 Santa Fe PHEV trim, the SEL Convenience is still nicely set up with amenities. For practicality, it has rooftop rails, heated outside mirrors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers, while a panoramic sunroof adds atmosphere to the cabin. Some of its more luxurious features are heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat, a hands-free liftgate, a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with paddle shifters), a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless phone charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, and a “quiet mode” setting for the second row. Hyundai improves the seating situation in the Limited trim with leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a deluxe driver’s seat with a cushion extender and position memory, a power front passenger seat, and heated rear outboard seats. This top trim also has a heated steering wheel, upgraded LED headlights and interior lights, power-folding exterior mirrors, a 115V household-style power outlet, and the class-exclusive Digital Key, which allows the driver to use a smartphone as the key.
Hyundai SmartSense, an excellent array of state-of-the-art driver-assist technologies, is installed on every 2023 Santa Fe PHEV. The suite’s components are blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane-following assist. Both the SEL Convenience and Limited also have automatic high beams, driver attention warning, safe exit assist, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, highway driving assist, a full array of airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, and vehicle stability management. The Limited receives even more: front parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a blind-spot view monitor, a surround-view monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV gets a large (10.25 inches) infotainment touchscreen with all of the sought-after features: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless device charging, and navigation. Both trims also have multiple USB ports and access to Bluelink Connected services (which can be used to remotely manage charging, among other things) with a free trial subscription. While the SEL Convenience is given a more basic sound system, occupants of the Limited will feel indulged with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon upgrade.
