Santa Fe Maxes 3-Row SUV Room

CHATHAM, Mass./STANFORD, Calif. – All new for the 2024 model year, the carry-over 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe uses its squared off packaging to provide outstanding interior space in a medium-sized three-row sport-utility vehicle (SUV).

Inside its 190.2-inch length, the latest generation of the company’s first U.S.-marketed sport utility, the designers squeezed 152 cubic inches of passenger volume, other brands need 10 inches or more of extra length for this type of passenger space.

We spent an extended period in a pair of identical Santa Fe Calligraphy SUVs, including time on both the East and West Coasts. Loaded with virtually every technology, convenience and luxury feature of which the developers could conceive, this top-of-the-range model was also excellent in terms of both performance and fuel efficiency.

Efficient, powerful powertrain

All non-hybrid versions of the Santa Fe feature the Hyundai SMARTSTREAM 16-valve 2.5-liter aluminum internal-combustion engine with gasoline direct injection (GDI) and double-overhead camshaft layout. Running on regular unleaded gas, the engine produces 277 horsepower and 311 pounds-feet of torque.

The power flows into an automatic, eight-speed dual-clutch transmission before going through the (standard on Calligraphy models) HTRAC AWD (all-wheel drive) system with six driver-selectable driving modes (ECO, Comfort, Sport, Smart, Snow, Mud/Sand) as well as AWD lock (50:50 front/rear power delivery) should road conditions dictate.

These pieces are the major components resulting in the 4,486-pound Santa Fe being able to accelerate from a standing stop to 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds (according to testing by Car and Driver).

That is quick and it feels quick, powerful when being driven. I had no trouble merging with traffic on Northern California’s busy freeways during morning and evening rush hours as well as maneuvering around and through traffic in that perpetually busy region.

And despite the Santa Fe’s weight and its performance characteristics (including my liberal use of the accelerator pedal with no thoughts of saving fuel), I saw a fuel-economy figure of 27.2 miles per gallon during my time in the two vehicles. This compares very favorably to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s overall rating of 23 mpg (20 urban, 28 highway).

These are performance numbers I can live with very easily, especially in an SUV of this size and capabilities (including towing a trailer of up to 3,500 pounds).

New platform for the Santa Fe

Underpinning the Santa Fe is a well-sorted, well-controlled chassis including MacPherson type-struts, coil springs, gas-pressurized shock absorbers and stabilizer bar up front and multi-link independent setup with separate springs and gas-pressurized shocks as well as a stabilizer bar in the rear.

The power-assisted brake system features anti-lock (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control with traction control, vehicle stability management, ventilated 13.6-inch rotors (front) and 12.8 solid rotors in the rear.

Unique to the Calligraphy model are multi-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels shod with 245/45 R21 -Pirelli all-season tires.

The pieces are not exotic, but they work very well. The ride is firm without being harsh. I didn’t experience any floating or body roll even when negotiating some twisting, mountain roads both in California and Massachusetts. Extended highway travel was smooth, comfortable and relaxing (something upon which my partner commented several times, both in California and on Cape Cod).

A full suite of ADAS

The top-of-the-range Calligraphy came with a comprehensive roster of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) including blind-spot-collision avoidance assist, blind-spot-collision warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, parking-collision avoidance assist (rear), park distance warning forward/reverse/side, remote parking assist, forward collision-avoidance assist w/ pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, and surround-view monitor.

Technology, conveniences and amenities fill the cabin

Hyundai ensured the up-to-seven occupants of the Santa Fe Calligraphy would be comfortable, entertained and pampered during their time on board the SUV.

Modulating the cabin environment is an automatic, three-zone digital climate-control system.

Power assists control the adjustments of the first two rows (captains’ chairs; the driver’s having two-person memory) which are heated; the fronts also ventilated) and all three rows are covered with quilted Nappa leather.

A wide, two-level console with a covered storage bin and multiple USB ports is part of the well-thought-out storage features which include twin dash glove boxes, deep/wide door pockets and cupholders for every passenger. The flat section in the front of the console houses a pair of charging pads allowing for the wireless charging of two devices simultaneously.

The curved display occupying half of the dashboard includes two 12.3-inch LCD screens. The left houses the customizable cluster/information screen while the one on the right is a touchscreen which acts as the center point of the infotainment system with standard navigation system.

The Calligraphy infotainment system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, AM/FM radio and Bluetooth streaming audio, all playing through a 12-speaker Bose® premium audio system.

The third display is a heads-up unit providing the driver with critical information like vehicle speed, navigation instructions, audio selection and ADAS warnings.

A lot space, features mark the Santa Fe Calligraphy

Regardless of the Santa Fe model a buyer selects, they will have a SUV with a lot of room for people and their stuff, in an efficiently designed three-row configuration. The five trim-level range opens with the front-wheel drive SE at $34,200 moving up to the Calligraphy at the top with a price of $46,750.

The review units had a single accessory – carpeted floor mats ($240) – and with the $1,415 for inland freight & handling, the as-tested price for both vehicles was $48,405.

There is a lot of choice within the Santa Fe family for an SUV buyer who needs realistic three-row interior room to configure just the right vehicle for their pocketbook and lifestyle.

Mike Geylin
Mike Geylin

Mike Geylin is the Editor-in-Chief at Hagman Media. Geylin has been in automotive communications for five decades working in all aspects of the industry from OEM to supplier to motorsports as well as reporting for both newspapers and magazines on the industry.