Test Driving The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Forbes

a day ago

The Santa Fe's one of those unflashy but solid midsize SUVs that deserves its healthy sales and great reputation for families, tradespeople, musicians and the like. It's gotten a redesign for 2025 and the new edition has all the aspects people liked about it all along. A week's test proved it a solid, nimble SUV.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
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The 2025 model moves away from its previous rounded appearance to a more angular and, shall we say, commanding presence. Its boxier shape improves interior space and aerodynamics, says Hyundai. Pricing starts at $35,775 for the base SE trim, with the top-tier Calligraphy Hybrid, my tester for a week, reaching up to $50,657 with options and delivery charge.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
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It's mod-looking, unusual for the badge. Dual 12.3-inch displays serve as the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a UV-C sterilization compartment for small items add to its contemporary feel. That means you can throw smartphones, keys, sunglasses, glasses, earbuds, AirPods cases, wallets or loose change in there and they will be germ-free afterward.
The higher trims, like my Calligraphy, deliver Nappa leather seats, ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. The available premium Bose 12-speaker sound system is rich and punchy.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
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The Calligraphy delivers a 1.6T 4-cylinder hybrid engine with a 6-speed automatic. With the electric motor, you'll get a combined 231 horsepower and up to 36 mpg city/highway combined.
It's not a rocket and you don't want it to be. It's comfy and composed and the steering is responsive, especially in Sport mode. The suspension smooths out road imperfections, nicely, another reason it would be good for cross-country drives. If it's not remarkable in its handling and road manners, neither is it dull. It gets the job done, and that's what you want.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
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Safety is a strong suit for the 2025 Santa Fe, coming standard with a suite of driver-assistance features including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert . The vehicle has earned top safety ratings, one reason it's great for families.
The programmable 'forward attention warning' system - a boon so you don't have to constantly do the brake-gas-brake-gas thing in heavy traffic - doesn't work if it senses you're wearing dark sunglasses, heavy eye makeup or blocking the camera with your arm by having it on the steering wheel at 12:00. You can outsmart it, though.
The rear liftgate is more squared and opens wider than in previous models. The vehicle is now longer overall, in fact, with a stretched wheelbase that allows for additional interior space, including improved third-row seating. There is more cargo space behind the third row than in the previous model, and legroom has improved in the second and third rows.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
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Roof rails are now standard across all trims. Hyundai has also added a new center console design and relocated some controls for easier access.
Conclusion: The redesigned Santa Fe does what it does quite well and it's up to date in its styling, technology, and practicality.