The 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid Is The Santa Fe To Buy 

Thanks Alex! This is the review I have been waiting for. Had a rental Hybrid AWD Tucson with 33k miles on the clock a couple of months back. I was blown away with how smooth, efficient and quiet it was for such a reasonable price. Now that the Santa Fe has the same drivetrain... I'm sold before even testing it. Love the design (tucked wiper), cargo a/c for the pups, perfect size and great efficiency. For those who say it is a copy of Land Rover products... As the british courts have decided (JLR vs. Ineos), you can't really hold a box a kid would draw as proprietary design. There is plenty that sets this apart from JLR products, namely reliability 😂. Kudos to Hyundai for making something attractive and practical!

Love my 38mpg, 47mpg in town, dual oane glass,tons of storage, smooth and fact that there are not many there. $10k cheaper than highlander for same options. Also, cruising in Hybrid at 74mph.

We brought home an AWD Hybrid Santa Fe Calligraphy 5 days ago and are in love. It might take us 3 years to figure out all the features, but we're quite happy.

All these comments are saying they don’t like the design but these are selling as fast as they can be delivered. I’m actually a fan of the design personally and the hybrid mileage for the size is impressive.

#1 reason to get the hybrid is to avoid the DCT

Wife got one few weeks ago. White Calligraphy FWD. Alot of tech for under 50k. Took on trip up HWY-1, 38.2 mpg! Glad we waited for the redesign, knew it was coming, just had to wait a bit. Just a tick over 1000 miles on the ODO.

I just love the design and looks of this. Wish there is a phev in North America

This new Santa Fe is awesome! Some people will hate on it, but who cares? It reminds me of the Land Rover Defender with a bit of the G-Wagon mixed in. Everyone's complaining about the tailgate, but it opens wider than any other SUV in its class. So, it does what it's supposed to do. I just realized how critical the American market is. This car is a hit overseas.

Funny this is the exact trim and color I'm wanting..Perfect timing Alex, headed to the dealer soon!

Love the '80 brutal style. RoboCop would be a happy suburban dad

I was hoping that they would've put the battery on the outside covering that whole taillights situation. 😅😅 Just move them higher Hyundai!!

We got one about a month ago and really like it so far. Great review, as always, Alex.

Seeing how many people in the comments HATE the design means Hyundai did it right. They made it for ppl less likely to watch a car review, but curiously will wander to a dealership from advertising.

I hated the look for the hyundai staria when it first released, ended up liking it. I hated the look of the ioniq 6 when it first released, ended up liking it. I now hate the rear end of this car, I'd be a fool to think this won't also grow on me with time. One thing I like where the Koreans are going lately is that they are bold with their designs. I can accept that it's ugly, because It's a breath of fresh air. They are trying to push the boundaries and on that note, I'm all for it. Certainly not boring which is more that can be said for almost all non Chinese manufacturers right now.

Hyundai's informational materials say that the curb weight of this bad boy, with all wheel drive, is over 4,500 lbs. I wonder how the turbocharged 1.6 liter engine would handle all that weight going uphill in the Colorado Rockies once the traction battery is depleted. That is my one concern with this vehicle: too heavy. Everything else, I like.

Something reminds me of ford flex

I wonder how sales are for the Santa Fe. I am not seeing many out here in Colorado.

Looks fantastic. I’ve been seeing a ton of these locally so they must be selling very well. Great vehicle all around

Just don't buy the DCT non hybrid version .. suddenly pre owned market is filled with 3 months old 2k miles 2024 santa fe as dealers were unable to complete the repair in a decent time due to unavailability of parts for the new car .. the buyers got a brand new santa fe to go through the same problems again while unrepaired cars have been put on auction for next owner to bear the pain .. 3 months and already there are 3 open major recalls on the DCT version.. Hybrid is the only way forward on this model

I recently bought a 24 Santa fe and although I wanted the hybrid, they had steep discounts on the 2.5 turbo and next to nothing on the hybrids. The money I saved made the non hybrid a no brainer. I love it, but I do want different wheels, the calligraphy wheels are a bit excessive and I'd prefer 18 or 19's.

Thought that road looked familiar. Have rode my bike through there several times.

It looks like the spiritual successor to the Ford Flex

The hybrid system concerns me. Using a small electric motor connected by belt (with a tensioner) to start the motor is a maintenance concern and not as strong a design as Toyota’s system.

Looks so much like a Ford Flex from the side. Saw the Flex and Santa Fe parked beside each other the day and was surprised how much they looked alike.

That wide center console is a deal breaker for me. It cuts into my knee (sat in it at the New York International Auto Show).

When Hyundai has a more attractive interior than bmw or Mercedes.

Guys this is a turbo charged engine that's 1.6 liters. Way too small. Turbos consume oil, eat air filters, are very temperamental about recommended gas and turbos fail. Not to mention the hybrid architecture still uses a traditional belt-driven starter, alternator and AC compressor. All failure points. Toyota standard hybrids are a larger naturally aspirated engine and replace the starter and alternator with lifetime electric motors. Honda does all of the above and goes further with the AC compressor being a lifetime electric motor. Toyota is the bench mark with its e-CVT which is bulletproof. Honda is best-in-class with a larger naturally aspirated engine and direct drive transmission. Also bulletproof and tricked some reviewers into thinking it was a traditional stepped automatic. Kia/Hyundai hybrid architecture is a generation behind. This is a lease only vehicle. Do not own it without extended warranty.

Between this and the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid, which has a smoother, quieter and more refined drive?

No ac controls for the second row??

For years the Cherokee was ridiculed and look at the market today 🙄

when the paint comes off you get a H PATTERN, when the motor breaks you get an H PATTERN on the repair bill

I like the boxy design and some of the style elements, but am very conflicted on the dog-bone shaped lights. They just aren’t growing on me yet. I suspect the next iteration will be some sort of spider eye, with half on for DRL and all on for actual lights.

When will the PHEV come out? Can't wait for it. Awesome content as always Alex. Thank you.

I love this car so much!!! ... except the back end!!!

I love Hyundai and I love my have 22 Santa Fe Hybrid Blue. If I were in the market right now. I'd be torn between skip this a Tucson Hybrid. I've tried to love this car, but the rear end😢 is the only problem I have. And as a loyal Hyundai customer, I'd definitely skip the DCT in any Hyundai

I want the off-road version, but with the hybrid system. I'm not getting anywhere near that dual clutch. so, I guess this won't be my pick.

I had a 2019 Ioniq plug in and my only "complaint" with that car was the fixed-gear transmission, I wish they had just copied Toyota's design

Nice cars coming out from Hyundai and Kia these days. This looks like the old Ford flex Kia makes one that looks like that too. Only so many different ways you can style a box. This is what people want, SUVs no more sedans.

Black wheels look horrible on everything …I dig these

I would take this over the Highlander hybrid. The nicer interior and tech and more room. Limted trim of the SF is $5k cheaper than the Highlander.

The Santa fe that makes other cars look old-fashioned

Looks awesome. I want one.

You can't compare the Santa Fe to a huge Nissan Armada and so on. Because it is a fantastic middle of the road SUV. It can't compete with a 3 row LINCOLN for example and to do so is unfair to the brand. What it is, is a great middle of the road SUV with three rows IF NEEDED, for small kids in the back. Yet if you want a competent SUV with extraordinaly fit and finish, no cheap plastics, great comfort, superior drive and quiet, then buy the Santa Fe.

Love the front. Hate the back.

it's Hybrid a car maker the Cop out on making EV I can't ever be happy any car maker going backwards

I just saw a Hyundai Kona almost get rear- ended because of the low taillights.

Curious how the real world fuel economy will turn out. That motor's spinning about 2200 rpm at 70mph.

Did Alex refer to the UV-C sanitizer as storage?

2:14 woo not sure if I like this. Reminds me of an old car that I dont know its name.

Hyundai went 3 steps back with this Santa Fe redesign

It's a little big for my liking but I'm sure I can get used to it...the $700 a month lease is what's unforgivable

Put this drivetrain in the Santa Cruz!

I would have expected the hybrid to be more powerful than the ICE similar to Tucson 235 is not enough

Any difference bewteen 2025 and 2024?

Great except for the rear end

Love these.

And for 2026 they will move the rear taillights up

Don't they have recalls on it's dct?

Should've parked the other way so the sun didn't shine in

Alex, You called 2:33 the Santa Fe 'style forward.' I think it would be better described as Style Wayward®or Style Overboard®. 😉

What do you make of the new hybrid system announced? Should Hyundai fans wait for it to be implemented before buying?

I'm okay with the looks, but the wave of Hyundai recalls, QA, and reliability issues is a hard pass for me.

Why did the designer give-up? It’s a horrendous design, especially the rear!

That rear 🤢🤮

Skip the first year of this. They have already recalled the regular gas version.

When will the 2025 Santa Fe PHEV become available?

Nope, can’t do that back end. Mistake. Needs redesigned already!

Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, Santa Claus

Why would anyone want a white interior? Have fun cleaning

FORD FLEX !!!

That tailgate is horrible! One small rear end hit and bye bye tailgate door!

Awesome

Oh man, the back end of this new body design is terrible - it's like they were coming to the design deadline and rushed it. It looks ESPECIALLY worse in the copper color.

What the Chrysler 300c is to a Rolls Royce is like what the Santa Fe is to the Range Rover. Even the steering wheel is straight out of a Range Rover. Best form of flattery is imitation I guess? Ill pass on the discount Range Rover especially with that rear end

Regular gas or premium gas? If latter, then no thank you

Unfortunetely, Hyundai/Kia's ongoing oil consumption and engine failure issues has turned me right off the brand. Hopefully they've figured their $**t out. Many Hyundai/Kia owners have been stuck with expens8ve paper weights...

This vs sienna

This isn't 2025

I don't like the looks, but not so much that I wouldn't buy one.

So what’s diffferent… this review is the same as everyone else’s 24 review

No rear window wiper?

Think the front and sides look nice and different but the back is just plain ugly in my opinion

Looks like a minivan. Specially, like a Kia Carnival. I’d prefer a real minivan…

Transmission will break down within 1200 miles

Weighs less than the new M2

Have they updated the transmission?

I know it's supposed to be the same size as a highlander, but my eyes tell me different. I just can't comprehend the actual length that I see on paper

Back design is a disaster. Who the F approved this shit?

Minecraft addition

Don't buy Poor quality Had rental for a weak 8k on the clock, already started falling apart

Those taillight are very low someone in a sedan can’t see those lights if another car in front of you 😂

Styling is subjective since it does a lot of things very well This is the best hybrid suv in the market

In b4 naveen lanza cries about toyota

Hyundai Roblox

The front looks alright but the rear looks horrible. This is a design that’s definitely not going to age well.

winner

No thanks

will never get over this terrible design

I’m sorry but no Hyundai is the one to buy…

Looks awful. A box on wheels with H’s for headlights. Hyundai should be ashamed of themselves for this monstrosity. The older Santa Fe is much better.