The Mid-Size Alternative To Compact CUVs | 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 

Great review, Alex! I've owned a Santa Fe Hybrid in the Limited trim since June and drove it from northern Virginia to Phoenix and back last month. It is by far the best SUV I have ever owned. On the long hauls on I-40, with all the driver assist features activated, it almost drives itself...even around curves in the road. In sync with the nav system, it even automatically adjusts your speed when the speed limit changes. After the long trip, I can say it is also the most comfortable SUV I've ever driven. The driver seat extension in the front was great for the hamstrings. On the way out to AZ, I had a Thule cartop box mounted, and I sacrificed some mileage (~28 mpg overall), but the return trip without the box yielded 34-36 mpg overall. The infotainment system is also the best I have ever experienced in a vehicle at this price point. The nav system was spot on for all the destinations for the trip, so my portable Garmin stayed in my backpack. Overall, I'm really pleased with the purchase, even though it was difficult to find one, and I ended up literally buying one off the boat somewhere between South Korea and the Port of Baltimore - the wait was about 4 weeks. The Limited trim is harder to find than the Blue or SEL trims.

Best car reviewer on youtube, no fuss, no pom-poms and all INFO.

I’ve had the 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid for a week and love it! The features are numerous and outstanding. I am getting over 35 mpg combined city and highway driving. No complaints so far!

The lack of gloss black trim would put it top on my list!

I've been waiting for Alex's review on this car for months! Thanks for the review!

I’m looking forward to a test of the Santa Fe PHEV

Your review is of very high value because you keep comparing with alternatives, so we get a lot more help as potential buyers. Thank you for that

Thank you for giving the stopping distance!! You’re the only reviewer I’ve heard give that. Good review, lots of info.

Waiting for this review for so long. Thank you Alex!

Childbearing hips!! Bahaha!!! You are too much. I love you and your reviews.

Outstanding review. Graphics, effects, dialogue, comparisons static display features and drive characteristic. So much material!

No brainer buying the hybrid Santa Fe. I’ve had mine 2 months and it’s great. If the plug-in hybrid was available I would have got that instead.

Watching the video while seating on my santafe hybrid limited 😍😍

Honestly, seeing anyone actually buy a Ford Escape or Chevy Equinox over a Santa Fe is so tragic. Even with discounts and incentives, they pay for it with misery and agony. I saw a Santa Fe take an especially wide left turn and it felt like such a celestial moment.

Excellent review. Appreciate the comparisons to other vehicles in the category.

Just traded my Palisade in on a Santa Fe Limited. I love it and don’t miss the unused third row. The high trade in value on the Palisade made it a no brained for me. I really like the wheels too.

Thanks Alex. I watch your reviews to consult buying cars. Not channels like Edmunds. You speak to the VAST majority of car buyers

Wow, you are an amazing HOST ! Suuuuuch a good review. I'm not big on this vehicle - but, you are rapid fire - right to the chase - descriptive and effective. well done!

This review is amazing!….fair and reliable…thanks Alex and keep it up!….

Great review as usual Alex! Can’t wait to see how you think it compares to the Outback!

It's videos like this that are making it really hard for me to get one. Great job showing off the cool features. I'm on a waiting list... fingers are crossed!

Thank you for another great review, Alex. Still waiting for this kind of review on hyundai tucson hybrid 😁.

Very thorough and helpful review as always. The Santa Fe Hybrid is one on my list. Interesting that a consumer publication just came out and listed the MPG as 30, also with an overall positive review.

I bought the calligraphy with AWD in April and was curious what this video said about the Santa Fe. I think they are spot on. Some positive extra points: the bigger engine version has super pep, the heads up display on the windshield works great, the AWD gives me uber confidence in many situations, the lane control steering is pretty good when you need short hands free driving, remote starting with the phone is cool, infotainment system sounds great and is nearly flawless. Some negatives: the annoying fuel saving engine kill at stop signs must be turned off every time one starts the car, some of the extra electronics can be annoying. The 4wd lock button doesn’t seem to help much while off-roading.

Great review Alex. I leased a Venza Limited at the end of May. Came from Kia products (Optima and Cadenza) needing a SUV/CUV for space in the hatch and MPG. Choice was between this and the Santa Fe as I ruled out the Sorento because the Santa Fe is a 2-seater and has more available equipment. For the price (almost 44K) I regret not getting the Santa Fe. I could have gone Santa Fe Limited (less expensive) or the Calligraphy (more luxurious) and would have been extremely happy. The Venza rides well and the MPG in town averages 41 but I miss the simplicity and ease of use of every function that the Korean models have and Toyota misses badly. The Venza has no glove compartment or console light, the glass is thin making it loud at highway speed, the carpet is thin and cheap feeling, the lighting inside is dim especially in the rear seat area, if you need a opening sunroof look elsewhere and last but not least, it’s rated to have a 14.5 gallon fuel tank yet after 4 fillips where I’ve run the tank down to 5 miles left to empty(according to the fuel gauge), I’ve yet to put more than 11.3 gallons in the tank to fill it to the first click as Toyota recommends as to not damage the hybrid system. I’ve taken it in for service and the technicians say everything checks out? I know this doesn’t happen with a Korean product and Toyota has had this issue and recalls with the newer RAV 4 hybrids. Bottom line, if you’re looking at a Venza, check out the things I mentioned (I won’t get into the touch capacitive infotainment and 12.3 screen, I thought I would get used to it but it’s a disaster. Buyers remorse on the Venza.

Those center console buttons are glorious. Will definitely be on my shopping list next year

Beautiful 2-Tone interior with some cross-weave texture panels. Very nice

Beautiful car...I will keep this on my list. Thanks for the review.

Really like the detail that you provide. Would like to see the actual front and rear legroom in addition to the combined measurements.

FINALLY!!!!!😁 Thanks, Alex!!!

I am glad that you note that the Santa Fe is not the same size as the Venza/Rav4, but it could only be compared because of the price. I really love the Santa Fe. It isn't too big, nor too small, well priced, relatively fuel efficient, and comfortble. It's almost perfect.

Thanks, Alex. Your reviews are the most informative and I always look forward to them. Good luck trying to get SUV’s these days with the problem with chip shortages. Lots of empty lots.

We sat in one - its really nice very upscale feeling. We did end up with the CR-V Hybrid due to the better gas mileage and it was spacious enough for us (better than RAV-4). Getting any new car right now is even hard and pricey.

Love the channel Alex. Would be great if you could start covering digital key functionality in your reviews.

Always great review. Thank you.

Great review as always !!

I watch a lot of car reviews lately and yours are amazingly well formatted. Excellent job! Love me some Hyundais too.

This is truly a nice vehicle. We just picked up a 2022 Santa Fe last night. It was a close call between this and a Rav4 for us, but this one wins with a lot more standard features which other manufacturers do not offer. Another great review, Alex.

Best reviewer on you tube. Well done!

I have been shopping for an SUV and compared Edge, Rav 4, Santa FE, Rogue as well as the Sorento and always found it surprising that (with the exception of the Sorento) those are not direct competitors. Before Rav4 Prime came out, I was torn between Santafe and Rav4 and leaned into the Santa fe, tho I hated the turbo i liked the cargo and the better luxury feel. Then Prime came along and that changed everything, the range on that bad boy was just perfect. Now the Santa fe might get a PHEV in North America? YES!! I've been holding off for 2 years to buy a car and this might finally be it. I hope we learn more about the PHEV version soon and how exactly does it compare to Toyota's Rav4 Prime

Those are my favourite wheels on Santa Fe! For some reasons, Canadian version are much better packaged. As always, great video!

Great inputs, couldn’t agree more

I really like the whole package they did a fabulous job.

Best technical, detailed, reviewer

Feeling good to be able to watch so early. 😌

Love the new headlights as they are so much better than my old 2017. Had mine for about a month now and love it

this review is on the spot, i have a 2021 santa fe hybrid Blue, and i am 100% agree with you.

We needed a larger vehicle to replace our 2011 Corolla since our kids both are toddlers and use convertibles. Space was getting tight to say the least. I was looking at Rav4s, CRV's etc but just wasn't happy with how much mark up they had. We had looked at Minivans and even were looking at Kia Sorentos at one point when I just decided to look at Kias brother or sister Hyundai and started looking into the Santa Fe. Long story short we found a 19 Santa Fe SEL Plus package that had everything we wanted as a family (heated seats, dual zone, auto liftgate all the best safety tech etc. for a price that was better than I ever saw with any Rav4 or CRV, heck even the Sorento. We loved the space, style and pulled the trigger. It's been such a great vehicle and love the interior quality and our kids and us LOVE the extra space and cargo area too haha.

I love this hybrid. It's my fave.

Can't wait for your 2.5 T review

It looks great, I have a 2019 Santa Fe, love it. But I would love to have all the new bells and whistles.

I love my Limited with the 2.5 turbo so much. I wanted a hybrid, but it wasn't yet available and I couldn't wait. I don't regret the 2.5 turbo, as it is quite powerful and wonderful to drive, but those sliding rear seats in the hybrid would sure be neat to have. I would actually use that feature.

Agree on the wheels. Just got a SF base model and prefer the wheels on mine by far

Kudos to Hyundai for eschewing the nowadays ubiquitous use of piano black inside and out. While I still find the front end design somewhat polarizing, I could definitely live with it. The interior is a definite win. On balance, I’d seriously consider this vehicle.

Alex just got the g80 prestige 3.5. Need to get that review out. Keep up the great work.

I've been looking forward to this review so much. We were SO close to pulling the trigger on a Lagoon Blue Limited Hybrid to replace our 2016 Escape Titanium, but inventory is so low we couldn't find one not marked up over MSRP. So, we are going to keep the Escape until it's paid off in 2 years. I don't think I could buy a car without one of your reviews, they're the best online, so thanks!

Loved that I learned some new things about Alex! He has child bearing hips and the Santa Fe is one of his favorites. I've dismissed this car the last several years, but I have to say it's definitely turning me on now. Great review as always. About the wheels, I prefer something with a more traditional design but it's by no means a deal breaker.

I hope soon, you get to do a complete review the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid too.

After driving the 2021 hybrid luxury for a year, I absolutely love this SUV. May be not the best in fuel economy, but the ride quality, the reliability, the quietness of the cabin comes close to premium vehicles.

That removable tray and extra space is the exact reason I chose a Santa Fe Calligraphy over a Sorento Sx. With the beige leather interior, our Calligraphy is a class above.

This is such a great video. Thanks Alex. But maybe i missed it. Where in your video are the differences between the 2021 and the 2022 model?

What a beauty of a vehicle.

I’d like the wheels a lot more if I didn’t know the Calligraphy wheels existed. Those are so much better!

Glad to see sliding second row is back

My wife has a 2021 Santa Fe sel premium package it’s a fabulous car it really surprised me comfortable ride drives easy looks great doesn’t have enough power for me if you need more power get the limited or calligraphy but overall it’s good

Dead on with the 1970's mid century modern fabrics. Love em myself. The wheels would look great on like a Porsche 944 or something lol

Great video!!!

Awesome stuff, however I would ALWAYS include the destination charge as part of the car price. Because it is.... I'm starting to see manufactures starting to lean on that to make their cars seem cheaper

With so many new vehicles coming in the next few years I think I will lease.

👍 We just started searching for a replacement for our sorry Ford Escape-such a disappointment! We were looking for RAV4 but then sat in Tucson & Santa Fe. So much better! Plus you cannot get a new RAV4 while our Hyundai dealer just got in several new models for us to drive. Hoping to drive a hybrid this week. Thanks Alex!

Child bearing hips! 😂 So good!

The Santa Fe looks very nice, seems to have a lot of passenger and cargo room, but I'm still drawn to the RAV4 hybrid. Yes I know the AWD won't be identical at it's an eAWD, but that is probably fine for me. My AWD interest is bad weather stuff not off-road adventures. Besides, 40 MPG and Toyota reliability are compelling reasons too.

Great review as always, Alex. As a long time KIA Sorento owner (a 2012 and now a 2018 model) I'm always interested in the Santa Fe with which the Sorento shares so many aspects along with some significant differences. In the model years beginning in 2018. Same size, same engines, same drivetrains, mostly the same amenities, etc. The Santa Fe has generally leaned toward projecting a more "budget luxury" vibe (e.g. top trim "quilted" upholstery) compared to the Sorento's more "utilitarian" feel (e.g. traditional transmission lever rather than pushbuttons). But the biggest difference has been the standard 3rd row seating in the Sorento vs the Santa Fe's sole two row configuration. We're a family of four (2 adults, a teenager, and a big dog) so a 3rd row isn't a necessity. Nevertheless, the KIA's third row is a major convenience on those occasions when we have to transport 6 or 7 passengers on a local trip and the alternative is using two vehicles. The Sorento has been a "Goldilocks" vehicle for us. My wife's daily driver, my daughter's transportation when she can't convince me to lend her my GTI. A great size for the jungle of urban/suburban traffic and parking. Ideal for our dog's daily trips to the park or the beach either in the backseat (going) or the cargo hold (coming home dirty and muddy.) And for us, it has been ideal for long freeway slogs on vacation roomy enough for everyone plus luggage and gear. Thus, although we seldom use the third row, it was an important factor in Sorento's favor. Unfortunately, in 2022, at least for us, the third row doesn't make up for the Sorento's deficiencies compared to the Santa Fe. For example... () Our 2018 top Sorento has a 2nd row bench with nappa upholstery. For 2022 Kia has eliminated a second row bench for every trim level other than the lowest two trims of the Sorento. That means NO option for the 2.5L turbo engine or the hybrid drivetrain, each version of which is solely available with captain chairs. As noted, we seldom deploy the 3rd row of our Sotento but the four legged member of the family doesn't fit comfortably in a captain chair. Without a 2nd row bench the only option is to deploy the third row for him and almost completely eliminate cargo space or keep him permanently consigned to the cargo area behind the second row. He not only would find that to be a form of discrimination, it would significantly reduce the space for cargo even with the third row folded into the floor The Santa Fe, of course, does have a second row bench seat for both ICE and hybrid versions and for every trim level. Without a third row it's a necessity to provide seating for five. () As noted in the video, the hybrid version of the Sorento is available ONLY with FWD. (The forthcoming PHEV version will apparently offer AWD.) What is KIA thinking??? Once again, the Santa Fe tops the Sorento. () KIA calls the 2022 Sorento a "new generation" while Hyundai characterizes the new Santa Fe as a "face lift." Perhaps this is an example of the truism that a "new generation" isn't necessarily superior to its elders. Among other features our 2018 Kia Sorento has driver's seat memory. So does the Santa Fe. It has been dropped from the Sorento. Our Sorento has powered extending thigh support for the driver. So does the Santa Fe. Not in the new Sorento. Our car has 4 way lumbar support. Ditto the Santa Fe. Only two way in the Sorento. Nappa leather upholstery in our Sorento. The top Calligraphy trim of the Santa Fe has it, too. The leather available for the Sorento is a lower grade. And those aren't the only examples. Only the ones I bothered to check. Bottom line? If our family were shopping for a replacement for our 2018 Sorento we'd sacrifice the third row seating and buy a Santa Fe. And I have to admit that hurts a little.

I just bought this car!!!! i looked at toyota rav4 hybrid, highlander hybrid, honda crv hybrid, mazda 5,9, volvo cx60, bmw x3,x5, audi q5, lexus rx. i bought this one for price, quality, adaptive cruise/ lane keeping, mpg, regular auto transmission (CVT is bizarre in other cars)

Thanks for the review, Alex! This has been a finalist for me along with the Tucson Hybrid. I appreciated your assessment of the powertrain components. I’ve done some research on those as well and they seem reliable overall at least for Hyundai. When is your Tucson Hybrid review coming?

Alex, According to numbers I heard recently, the Sienna slightly outsold the RAV4 Hybrid in the first half of the year. I expect the RAV4's drop to second best selling Hybrid was a result of a supply issue rather than demand issue.

A few months ago I saw the basic blue version of this car at our local dealer. It measured out perfectly for what I wanted, a car for travel and camping. The sliding second row seats offers considerably more nearly flat sleeping area than the Subaru Outback. I also wanted a hybrid for all night HVAC like in “Prius hotel”. Problem is that the HVAC will shut off after 1 hour as per the service manager. I understand that the Toyota hybrids will allow this function. Otherwise the Santa Fe size was perfect. The RAV4 is too small and the highlander too big. I wonder if I can trick the HVAC to stay on more than a hour, like leaving the hood partially open.

For the first time ever, I'm considering buying a Hyundai.

I decided on the RAV4. It has better MPG, non-leather seats and my Toyota dealer isn’t doing “market adjustments” like all the Hyundai dealers I’ve contacted.

I thought I would be going with a Tucson no question. Now I see myself considering the Sante Fe also.

Great review, Alex! Which trim level is this? Limited?

EXCELLENT THANKS SO MUCH ...

Button galore love it 😎

If the new Tucson and Sante Fa were EV's with all those interior features I would be sold, that is why I like the EV6, but would still consider PHEV of the Hyundai's in the coming years... Great review like always! Ok how did you skip over the cooled and heated seats with auto hold, for me those are a must in any new car I will look at.. unless Tesla still wins me over! LOL HA!, I see you have the cooled seats on, lets see if you bring that up..... I am typing and editing as I watch....

Love it!

very good review...👍❤, nice car!❤👍👍

Excellent review. I had the same thoughts when I bought a Santa Fe luxury Hybrid. However, Santa Fe has competitor under the same roof, Hyundai Tucson (has more cargo room, looks way more sporty, has the same chassis and drivetrain and has more features for a CAD$3-5k less) is an actual competitor along with RAV4 And for the benefit of others - I get 37 MPG mixed driving and it's still getting broken in, which IMO is great :)

The Santa Fe is sold as a 7-seater in Korea so the deep cargo area is where the 3rd row seats would have gone.

Nice video sir

That's where the extra seats are stored in the 7 seater versions in other markets.

Just purchased the plug in hybrid. It is actually faster than the hybrid only version.

Thank you for the video, it has been really helpful. I'm 6' tall and I sat in the Rav4 and Venza and felt pretty cramped. On the 2022 Venza XLE, they don't have a sunroof, that is only on the Limited model. The Rav4 was a consideration, but after sitting in it, I decided to pass. Same with the Venza. I went to the Hyundai dealer next door, looked at the Tucon Hybrid first. It felt much more spacious than the Rav4 or Venza, but didn't have the cargo are I need. I then sat In the Santa Fe which immediately I like better. More comfortable seats, more interior room and more cargo storage. I had the salesman take me out on the road and had him drive and talk about the features. I wanted to see what it felt like as a passenger first and he went through the paces. They didn't have the Hybrid AWD Limited on the lot, but the gas model was just about the same anyway. The ride was so much better than Toyota (btw we own a 2018 Higlander XLE, we've had Toyota cars since 1997). Toyota does hold an edge on resale, but we don't buy cars based on that primarily. As close to an Apples to Applels comparison between the Hyundai Limited and the Toyota XLE, Hyundai comes out as a far superior vehicle. I don't have to buy a car today, so I have no pressure. Right now, I think just about all dealers are trying to sell a couple thousand dollars over MSRP. I refuse to do that. The dealership I went to quoted me a Sales price of $42,355 which is $2,195 above MSRP, then they wanted to charge me $1,000 for "Market Price Adjustment" (a hard to get vehicle), Lifetime Window Tint $349, and Nitrogen Filled Tires $119 and of course the tax and I have to wait 90 days for delivery. So the math equals $5,032.92 in additional profit for them. I said NO, I made them a counter offer, so let's see what happens.

Child bearing hips! 🤣 I did not expect that!

Hey Alex..great review as always. I was wondering your thoughts on this vs the slightly smaller Hyundai Tucson. It appears like the Tucson grew in size as well. About $2000 more for a Santa Fe vs Tucson. Is it worth it to step up?

A real gearbox over CVT any day. 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is the winner.

Excelent review , nice and clear ,going to the point. Now I have a question, I'm aware that Alex is talking about the hybrid, but before the end of the year we are going to be having a plug in too. So Im planning to buy a Santa Fe PHEV or Tucson PHEV ( my wife want the Tucson,myself S.F. ) and here is the question my PHEV run out of juice , the car it will be driven in a 100 % petrol ,like a regular car, or it will be driven in a hybrid mood . Thank you for the answer.

Awesome review, Alex. I also do not like that rim design at all, it reminds me of the old Chrysler logo.

Alex, are you planning on doing a full review on the Ionic 5?

This may be the best looking vehicle in the Hyundai lineup. It’s easily the best value. Not sure why I’d buy a Tucson, given the price overlap.

Alex, did you happen to drive the Santa Fe hybrid over any steep hills/mountains while driving this on the highway? I'm curious how it does through the mountain ranges in Southern Oregon at freeway speeds