We recently purchased 2019 SEL Plus in December of last year and it's been a great car. The space is amazing and it easily fits our 2 Convertible seats for our kids easily, and the amazing cargo room was a no brainer for us since we don't plan on expanding our family. We were cross shopping these with the Rav4 and even the Nissan but I was not willing to overpay for those vehicles and the space was not as big compared to the Hyundai. What really sold us though was the amount of safety features and options that suited our family without breaking the bank especially for the price. Android Auto & Apple Carplay, Auto & Dual Zone Climate, Heated Seats, Auto Liftgate, Lane Keep, Adaptive Cruise with Emergency braking, Cross Traffic Alert, BlindSpot Monitoring and our absolute favorite is the sensor that senses movement in the back and warns you before you leave the vehicle. Needless to say we are extremely happy with this vehicle.
For the price, you get way more than any of the competition. Heated seats, smart cruise control... And safety features all standard dude it's s bargain. Got the SEL 2019. Really happy so far!
Much thanks for reviewing the base 2.5 version. You might be the only large-member reviewer to do so. Also the side angle shots you provide while seated in the front and back and very helpful.
That's because the HEV and PHEV models are manufactured in Korea, vs Alabama for North American naturally-aspirated gas models. Models coming out of the Korean plant also include 3rd row seat options for other regions. I think that is what leads to the difference in (2nd-row) seats ability to slide forward / aft.
I have a 2019 SF and figured out I can comfortably fit two kayaks inside if I remove the front and right rear seat (and fold down the left rear seat). If they had reversed the 60/40 split, I likely would also be able to fit 1 passenger in the far left rear. Just in case this helps anyone looking at this car that also owns kayaks. Mine doesn't have roof rails, so that is not an option for me
Love our 2019 Santa Fe’ SEL Plus AWD. For $31K and change after the deal paid just over $27K and can’t say enough good about it. We park it outside in the North East and it still looks Show room with only 8K miles. And lots of trouble free warranty left. The SPACE, Ride, the Quiet Cabin, the Easy Handling, the Features and Safety Features plus it feels like it drives itself with Adaptive Cruise and Lane Keep. If we traveled more miles would of purchased the HyBrid model. Still might in July when it’s time to trade. But really should keep it at least a couple more years.
I'm on my 5th Hyundai. I just got a 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid Blue. I go to Millennium Hyundai here on Long Island and have had no dealership or service issues. I guess I'm loyal to the brand
@@maga6319 It's my choice to point out the claim. Both of you are making a statement about reliability but your choice to change so frequently does not equal that. Cite your long term reliability, not how you dump a car before the problems start. I asked a valid question so it seems the only one hurt is you for some reason.
@@candlercando JD power proves how reliable this brand is. Maybe you should get out of your mom's basement and do some research instead of getting triggered about it, kid.
Am I the only one that hates that center console set up in the front? Prefer the old set up but I also wish more companies did their cup holders left to right not up and down cuz that makes sense
Yes, very glad I got a '19 and not this newer one. The new center console is too high and has less storage. Even with the silly push-button transmission it has less space.
Just got a Santa Fe Limited last week - love it! We got it so we can tow 3500 lbs vs 2000. Still have to add a tow hitch, roof crossbars, and a spare tire 😒. The DCT is actually nice to drive. It feels like a manual because it kind of is, but it's not as smooth as the 8 spd automatic. The leather is nice but I would have been happy with cloth and no sunroof or driving nannies, but you can't be too picky these days when a car is available to buy.
In my opinion a more interesting comparison will be Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento. I bought the Sorento PHEV over Santa Fe PHEV due to the following reasons: it has slightly higher mpge, rotary shift knob which I feel more natural to use vs buttons shift knob, 6 passengers seating as I’m not ready to downsize too much after trading in my Telluride, and the Sorento is simply a better looking SUV.
The Blue Hybrid seems like a no brainer for those who would gravitate towards an SEL with AWD. The Blue comes with AWD, all of the SEL upgrades, and more mpg for not much more. Anyone else agree?
Absolutely. I would definitely buy either the hybrid, or even the plug-in hybrid. The prices are reasonable and the performance is quite adequate. This base model would be quick enough if you don't load it heavily. 8 seconds 0-60 was considered quick just a few years ago, and it's adequate for getting onto freeways and passing slow cars, as long as your vehicle isn't loaded with passengers and cargo. This would be a perfectly acceptable family crossover for most people, even in base trim, considering the generous safety tech.
@@markmiller3279 we did test-drive hybrid, it's peppy on city speed, decent enough to get to highway speeds on a ramp. But it's much smoother and quieter than ICE, so it's really great. We weren't able to find one to buy when we needed it, so ended up with 2019 Santa Fe.
@@braddruehl6786 I agree completely. Mazda has the best stylists working. The CX-5 is beautiful, with a gorgeous front end. The Santa Fe nose is a bit busy for me, though I like this a lot better than a Tucson. Hyundai did a good job generally, especially on the gimmick-free interior. The Mazda suffers from dated tech and the poor gas mileage caused by the old engine and six-speed automatic. Otherwise it's nearly perfect.
Stay away from the turbo version with the dual clutch automatic transmission. Currently been without my car for 2 months waiting for a transmission. 24,000 miles at failure.
Stealership wanted $67,000 for PHEV Santa Fe Limited. Ended up going with HEV Tucson Limited for $40,000. Fun fact: The 2022 Tucson (compact SUV) has a larger cargo capacity than the 2022 Santa Fe (midsize SUV) with 2nd row up (38.7 vs 36.4 cu ft) or down (74.8 vs 72.1). So I figured, smaller footprint (fits in my garage better), but has more cargo capacity, and WAY cheaper... no brainer for me... That's why I chose the Tucson... And loving it!
a few weeks ago it would be the nice engine on the santa fe. today its the hybrid. caligraphy AWD would be nice but for that money i would look at something else. i still like the way the santa fe looks.
I'm thinking that the running boards would come into play when loading/unloading bikes/kayaks/gear/etc. on the roof racks. I really like this option and it will be on my short list...perhaps the PHEV version for me.
Still deciding between the subaru forester awd and the santa fe awd. I like a higher ride and comfort behind the wheel. Will be looking at the higher trim in both.
Has Kia/Hyandai improved their dealership experience lately? They've been reputed to have one of lowest dealership experiences for buying and servicing.
There are still some bad ones out there. But overall, I think they have vastly improved compare to decades ago. Unless you go with luxury brand, you also see the bad ones with other brands’ dealers too. I have had Chevy, Mercury, Honda, Toyota, Kia, VW, Acura, and Infiniti over the years, so I can tell.
Aitomakers have limited control over dealers. They're locally owned and some are good and some bad. We bought a Hyundai nine years ago and the dealer was excellent - better than the Mazda and other dealerships we visited. But that definitely is going to vary by location.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that noticed that he shows on the screen it's a CVT, which is incorrect, and he's incorrect on the EPA numbers, as well. The combined is correct, but city/hwy #s are not. Gotta get the stats right, Alex.
Alex, your spec screen at the first of the video shows the Santa Fe as having a cvt. It doesn't it has an 8 speed automatic. I have a 2020 and a 2021 Santa Fe SEL and neither of the rear seats slide back and forth, I think that was available only on the higher trims.
Alex - Great review as usual! Where do you measure the interior sound (noise) level? Very curious because some other folks get much lower numbers (in general, not this specific vehicle).
I don’t know How much good the numbers are. I just got rid of a ‘20 Rav4 and to me, it didn’t have nearly as much space in the back seats than the ‘22 Santa Fe we have. I’m 6’2” and 240lbs. To me, it’s night and day.
I'm anxious to see/hear how the plug-in hybrid performs vs the turbo. Maybe more torque (?) even though I know the HP is lower for the plug-in - and that 2.5L turbo has over 300 lb/ft of torque so I don't know...) And darn, I would love me a Calligraphy in a plug-in hybrid version!
Thanks for a fantastic review and the timing is fantastic. You've confirmed what I am doing tomorrow... We lucked out and found a 22 Sante Fe Limited AWD Hybrid actually available, and with only a $1500 dealer markup in the current insane car market. Picking it up tomorrow. Seriously excited for this new car!
I’ve had the PHEV since October, and yes, trying to keep only the electric motor going will mean being very careful about your acceleration. But having the ICE kick on for a few moments while you accelerate onto the freeway or whatever really isn’t a huge issue for fuel economy. I think it’s plenty peppy overall. The bigger thing to worry about if you’re interested in running entirely in electric mode is the lack of electric heating, so in winter the engine will need to run enough to stay warm if you want to have heat going.
"These buttons right here consistently remind you, you didn't pay extra for the heated and cooling seats" hahaha . Btw, I have the 22 Caligraphy model with the Turbo engine and I love it.
Yea I had to look at Hyundai’s website because I was completely shocked to see “Continuously Variable” on a Santa Fe review (or most Hyundai reviews for that matter). Was relieved to confirm that it was just a visual mistake on the video editing. We currently own a vehicle with a CVT and also have driven other vehicles with CVT and my wife and I despise the sound CVT’s and even the feel of them depending on which manufacturer/brand you buy. Yes the increase fuel economy and if for those who don’t mind the drone - or don’t even notice it, that’s great. But for us it’s a constant annoyance. But to clearly state, Both, the Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids, are mated with a 6-Speed “SHIFTRONIC” transmission The regular Gas models are paired with an 8-Speed transmission. With the exception of the Limited and Calligraphy Trims which transition to the 8 Speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission.
DCT in a daily driver that isn't a performance car? Why? Don't even mention fuel economy, that's why CVTs exist. On the Elantra N or Kona N it's fine, but on the Santa-Fe?
The Santa Fe does not use CVT in any trim. Video is incorrct. The DCT is only available on the 2.5T. It is super-smooth, even at lower speeds, and the gear ratios are quite different from the N powertrain. Santa Fe DCT has 4 OD gears while N DCT has 2.
@@thedevincrutcher Yes, the lower trim levels use a conventional 8-speed, not a CVT (I checked on the Hyundai website). The Limited and Calligraphy trims use the DCT. This is pretty common with Hyundai. They use the DCT for many of their more powerful trims, whether they are sporty or not.
Why doesn't this get as much hype as the RAV4 Prime? Is it because the fed tax credit for the Hyundai plug in is only 6,587 where as for the RAV4 prime is full 7500?
@@ThatWasherNerd it is powerful. I wondered why only now Toyota says the rav4 is the fastest 4 door Toyota. Because the Camry w the v6 has always been very quick with the same performance time of 5.8 seconds.
Wait, does this model have an 8-speed automatic? It says "continuously variable" in the engine section of this video. So CVT, or 8-speed torque converter transmission?
At least a Toyota or Honda doesn’t fall apart after a few years and doesn’t have a recall that instructs the owners to park outside their home because the vehicle may catch fire 🔥 and burn your house down ! Hyundai and Kia look nice but that’s about it .
Recalls are done for a reason…and all makes and models have them. I have had a few Hyundai’s a well as Toyotas and honestly, Hyundai is a serious contender. Products are very well executed.
Never have heard that. He only rarely mentions his husband at all. It always causes a storm of comments from people who thought he was a straight dad type.
Most cars last until they get in a wreck that's too expensive to repair. Few of them make it to 150k or 200k miles. I've seen no numbers showing Toyotas don't have accidents, too, and get totalled by insurers.
We just traded our 2016 Rav4 for a 2022 XRT Santa Fe because the torque converter was going out on the Rav4 and cost over $4,000 to fix it. The Toyota only had 83,000 miles so I'm not sold on the Toyota reliability argument.
boy... hyundais stock is very low rn, the interior is definitely not outdated dont know why u think that, and its a economical suv no ones buying one to impress people
I wouldn't call the styling of this boring, it's polarizing, IMO. Same with the interior. The interior is fine, but I wish they'll get rid of that push button shifter that's trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. The reason nobody wants them is because of predicted unreliability.
@@miyeonluvies I just test drove the 2023 Sportage xline with dual 12.5 inch monitors, so after that... every interior is dated. Problem with the new Sportage, it was 39K out the door. No way I'm spending 40K on a Kia.
@@TheJiggs666 if u call that interior dated u might as well say every other economy car is dated. And if ur gonna hate on kia take that hatred somewhere else go praise ur favs instead of wasting time hating on kia
I always wondered Alex. How can you speak for families who have kids in car seats when you yourself don’t have any kids…? 🤣 As always Great review Alex
@@markmiller3279 I know. I just find it interesting how he can speak for something he doesn’t have. Nothing against him whatsoever. Just a food for thought
Um, the same way he can give car-buying advice on cars he doesn't personally own. He's not giving child-raising advice here. He's saying car seats fit well.
Hyundai’s SUV front fascia design language always a 🤮, the ugliest design language started by them taken forward by almost all vehicle companies now… truly bad looking 🤮🤑
