The all-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is a midsized three-row crossover that can accommodate six or seven passengers, depending on whether its middle row has a bench seat for three or a pair of captain’s chairs. It’s offered in a trio of trim packages: SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trim levels. Its hybrid powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 44.2-kW electric motor, which together produce 231 hp and 271 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission feeds power to the standard front-wheel drivetrain, but those seeking extra capability in a wider range of conditions can opt for all-wheel drive.
With its gas-electric powertrain, the ’24 Santa Fe Hybrid will give its drivers commendable fuel economy, especially for a vehicle of its size. FWD versions achieve an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg highway, while those with AWD get 35 city/34 highway. Its towing capacity can go up to 2,000 pounds, which is enough to pull a small trailer.
Hyundai does a terrific job of making the base SEL feel anything but entry level, supplying it with H-Tex-upholstered seats (heated in the front row), a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a hands-free liftgate, a two-level storage armrest with bi-directional opening, roof rails, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, an underfloor storage tray, LED interior and exterior lights, automatic headlights featuring a unique “H” motif, and a cloth headliner. Not only that, but the SEL comes with a host of impressive tech amenities, such as Digital Key 2, proximity keyless entry, wireless phone charging, a rear-seat quite mode, four high-power USB charging ports, and a 4.2-inch multi-information display.
The Limited is a noticeable step up, adding genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power front passenger’s seat, position memory for the driver, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a dual-pane sunroof, a UV-C sanitizer compartment in the upper glovebox, Hyundai Pay (which lets you pay for parking and fuel from inside the vehicle), an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, ambient interior lighting, USB charging ports for the third row, a 110-volt power outlet, manual rear sunshades, and a mélange headliner.
The Calligraphy is the highest expression of luxury, spoiling its occupants with Nappa leather upholstery, front-row seats designed for superior comfort, second-row captain’s chairs (reducing seating to six), a 12-inch head-up display, an additional wireless phone charger, a digital rearview mirror, expanded ambient interior lighting, exterior C-pillar assist handles (for ease in loading and unloading items on the roof rack), and an eco-suede microfiber headliner.
Hyundai’s state-of-the-art SmartSense safety suite comes installed in every 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid trim level. All trims get blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision-avoidance assist (with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection), forward attention warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and curve control, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, lane following assist, safe exit assist, and advanced rear occupant alert. The Limited and Calligraphy add Remote Smart Parking Assist, a blind-spot view monitor, a surround-view camera, navigation-based adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist, and side parking sensors. Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane centering are the exclusive domain of the Calligraphy.
No matter which ’24 Santa Fe Hybrid trim you choose, you’ll get an expansive 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, a multi-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The Limited and Calligraphy receive onboard navigation and a Bose sound system with a dozen speakers.
