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Hyundai Santa Fe

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Hyundai Santa Fe Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Specs & News

Hyundai's Santa Fe debuted in the early 2000s, and it's evolved from a larger mid-sized SUV competitor against the Honda CR-V to a smaller large SUV with three-row, seven-seater capability over successive generations. The Toyota Kluger is the main rival.

Today, the Santa Fe sits underneath the slightly-bigger but closely related flagship Palisade SUV, offering the choice of V6 petrol or four-cylinder turbo-diesel power. Front and all-wheel drive are also available. The cheapest grade starts from $46,050, rising to $79,795 for the most expensive version.

Hyundai Santa Fe News

Rough and tumble new family SUV incoming! 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe with petrol power here by Christmas and plug-in hybrid version in with a chance to do battle with Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder 

Rough and tumble new family SUV incoming! 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe with petrol power here by Christmas and plug-in hybrid version in with a chance to do battle with Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder 

By L.aura Berry - 14 Oct 2024
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe adventure-ready XRT packaging revealed! Hybrid family SUV gains better off-road capability to take on Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and more

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe adventure-ready XRT packaging revealed! Hybrid family SUV gains better off-road capability to take on Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and more

By S.amuel Irvine - 1 Oct 2024
Best SUVs arriving in 2024

Best SUVs arriving in 2024

By T.ung Nguyen - 3 Jul 2024
Can Hyundai become the next Mazda? Why the brand is moving up in the world with its Ioniq 5 and Santa Fe | Opinion

Can Hyundai become the next Mazda? Why the brand is moving up in the world with its Ioniq 5 and Santa Fe | Opinion

By S.tephen Ottley - 8 Jun 2024
'We see ourselves as a top three player': Hyundai banks on affordable hybrid models and additional EVs as part of its strategy to solidify its top-10 position

'We see ourselves as a top three player': Hyundai banks on affordable hybrid models and additional EVs as part of its strategy to solidify its top-10 position

By T.om White - 3 Jun 2024
Hyundai adding cheaper family SUV: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe petrol locked in to join hybrid version as it hunts down the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento and GWM Tank 500

Hyundai adding cheaper family SUV: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe petrol locked in to join hybrid version as it hunts down the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento and GWM Tank 500

By D.om Tripolone - 20 May 2024
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe specification confirmed, but when does the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento family SUV rival land in Australia?

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe specification confirmed, but when does the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento family SUV rival land in Australia?

By S.tephen Ottley - 2 Apr 2024
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT and more off-road focussed versions of Palisade and Tucson confirmed for Australia to take on Toyota LandCruiser, Subaru Forester and more

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT and more off-road focussed versions of Palisade and Tucson confirmed for Australia to take on Toyota LandCruiser, Subaru Forester and more

By S.tephen Ottley - 28 Mar 2024
Attention Toyota LandCruiser Prado: Hyundai readying for off-road battle with new XRT Pro registered for Australia

Attention Toyota LandCruiser Prado: Hyundai readying for off-road battle with new XRT Pro registered for Australia

By A.ndrew Chesterton - 16 Feb 2024
See All Hyundai Santa Fe News

Hyundai Santa Fe Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Hyundai Santa Fe here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • My 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe smells like petrol inside after a dealership service

    The Santa Fe may well have a fuel filter below the rear seat, but it’s almost certainly located on the outside of the car (as in, under the floor) rather than inside under the seat cushion. I’d be very surprised if any of the car’s fuel system or lines ran inside the passenger compartment.

    Which means it’s still possible that some fuel was spilled under the car during the filter change or that there’s even a fuel leak as a result of the change. Either could lead to a smell inside the car, but it shouldn’t persist. If it does, there’s a problem. Take it back to the dealership and ask for the problem to be fixed. If the dealership somehow spilled petrol on the seat trim or allowed fuel to enter the cabin in some other way, they are responsible for fixing it. Driving around in a car with petrol fumes inside is an obvious health and safety issue.

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  • What's a good hybrid car to buy?

    The default purchase for somebody looking for a mid-sized hybrid SUV is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. But if that’s too big, there’s the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, C-HR Hybrid and even the Corolla Cross Hybrid which sounds like the marketplace is getting crowded but is really just a reflection of the appetite right now for cars like these. And that’s the catch; the waiting times for a brand-new example of some of these cars is out to many months and even years. So your plan to shop second-hand makes plenty of sense, but don’t expect any bargains in a market currently being dominated by lots of demand and less supply.

    Beyond the Toyota brand (which has been doing hybrids longer than just about anybody else) there’s also the Mazda CX-30, Subaru XV Hybrid, Haval Jolion Hybrid, Kia Niro, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Nissan Qashqai e-Power, MG HS, Honda HR-V e and more. For something a bit bigger, try the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe hybrids. There are others out there, too, that are probably bigger or more expensive than you need, but it's very much a growing scene in the Australian marketplace.

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  • I am looking for an auto transmission wagon or SUV, that tows at least 1500kg and does not have a CVT.

    While the CVT is enjoying a bit of a purple patch right now with many car-makers using it for its efficiency benefits, you’re not the only one, Gregg, that doesn’t want to own such a thing. The CVT’s history is littered with failures, although to be perfectly fair, they are a lot better now than they’ve ever been.

    But even if you can accept their reliability track record, some owners will just never take to the CVT’s characteristics of allowing the engine to rev up and have the rest of the vehicle catch up. It can feel very alien and it’s hardly a sporty sensation, either.

    With all that in mind, you probably should start looking at things like the two-wheel-drive versions of something like, say, the Toyota Kluger or Hyundai Santa Fe. Both are available in two-wheel-drive, both have conventional 8-speed automatic transmissions and both can haul a decent load (2000kg and 2500kg respectively). The Toyota even offers a hybrid driveline, but, sadly for buyers like you, that uses a CVT transmission.

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  • My 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has a transmission fault, what should I do?

    I definitely agree that 60,000km is pathetically short for the lifespan of a modern transmission. And if, indeed, the transmission has failed or is showing dramatic wear in that distance, I’d be asking Hyundai to help out with the cost of repairs. Even though the vehicle is out of warranty (by only about a year it would seem) the low kilometres and full factory service history might give Hyundai cause to come to the party on a pro rata basis.

    Meantime, don’t hit the panic button yet. The fault could be a much simpler one than you might be imagining and could be something quick and easy to fix. The problem could be as simple as low transmission-fluid level. If the quoted cost to examine the transmission is putting you off, try an independent transmission specialist who should be more than familiar with this unit.

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See All Hyundai Santa Fe Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Hyundai Santa Fe Towing Capacity

The Hyundai Santa Fe has maximum towing capacity of 2500kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2024 SUV 1650kg 2500kg
2023 SUV 1650kg 2500kg
2022 SUV 1650kg 2500kg
2021 SUV 2000kg 2500kg
2020 SUV 2000kg 2500kg
See All Towing Capacity for Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Hyundai Santa Fe varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $46,050 and going to $79,795 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2024 SUV 3.5L, —, 8 SP AUTO $46,050 $79,795
2023 SUV 3.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $39,380 $69,960
2022 SUV 3.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $37,840 $71,610
2021 SUV 3.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $39,160 $70,840
2020 SUV 2.4L, ULP, 6 SP AUTO $68,200
See All Hyundai Santa Fe Pricing and Specs

Hyundai Santa Fe Seats

The Santa Fe large SUV is offered with six or seven seats.

In the seven-seater there are two seats up front, three seats across the second row and two more in the third row.

The six-seat Santa Fe swaps out the second row bench seat for two 'captain's chairs'. You do lose the middle seats, but gain a more luxurious chaffuer-car-like interior.

Upholstery in the Santa Fe varies depending on where it sits in the range, with cloth seats in the entry-grade and leather in the Elite and quilted Nappa leather in the Calligraphy.

Hyundai Santa Fe Seats

Hyundai Santa Fe Interior

The Santa Fe has a luxurious looking interior with premium black cloth seats standard in the entry-grade car and black leather upholstery in the top-of-the-line Calligraphy. 

Stepping up through the range adds more prestigious looking and feeling materials with the Elite and Calligraphy grades gaining suede-like headlining. There's also synthetic leather door armrests and stainless steel scuff door plates.

Hyundai Santa Fe Interior

Hyundai Santa Fe Dimensions

The dimensions of the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2024 SUV 1685x1900x4785 mm 176 mm
2023 SUV 1685x1900x4785 mm 176 mm
2022 SUV 1685x1900x4785 mm 176 mm
2021 SUV 1680x1890x4770 mm 185 mm
2020 SUV 1680x1890x4770 mm 185 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Hyundai Santa Fe Dimensions

Hyundai Santa Fe Accessories

Coming standard on the entry-grade Santa Fe are 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and LED running lights, roof rails, proximity unlocking, a power tailgate, rear privacy glass, dual-zone climate control, fabric seats, power driver’s seat, double 12.3-inch displays for media and driver’s instruments, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio and wireless phone charging.

Stepping up to the Elite adds leather seats, dual-zone climate control, a Bose sound system, sat nav, dual wireless phone charging, rear sun shades and a heated steering wheel.

The-top-of-the-range Calligraphy brings a head-up display, sunroof, digital rear view mirror, UV-C sanitisation tray, Nappa leather seats and Bose sound system. The Santa Fe is a seven seater SUV, however, the Calligraphy grade comes with a choice of seven or six-seats.

All Santa Fes currently have hybrid powertrains as standard.

Hyundai Santa Fe Accessories

Hyundai Santa Fe Colours

The Santa Fe comes in a range of colours including (depending on the grade) 'Abyss Black', 'Creamy White', 'Magnetic Force', 'Ocado Green', 'Pebble Blue', 'Typhoon Silver' and 'Terracotta Orange'.

  • Abyss Black
  • Creamy White
  • Magnetic Force
  • Ocado Green
  • Pebble Blue
  • Typhoon Silver
  • Terracotta Orange
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website.

Hyundai Santa Fe Boot Space

The cargo capacity of the Santa Fe with five seats in place and the third row folded flat is 628 litres.

Hyundai Santa Fe Boot space Hyundai Santa Fe Boot space

Hyundai Santa Fe Wheel Size

The Hyundai Santa Fe has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 235x65 R17 1 for SUV in 2024.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2024 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2023 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2022 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2021 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2020 SUV 235x65 R17 1 17x7 inches 235x65 R17 1 17x7 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Hyundai Santa Fe Wheel Sizes

Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Consumption

The Hyundai Santa Fe is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Diesel, —, Hyb/ULP and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 6.1L/100km for SUV /Diesel for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2024 SUV 6.1L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2024 SUV 10.5L/100km 3.5L 8 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 6L/100km 1.6L Hyb/ULP 6 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 6.1L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 10.5L/100km 3.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 6L/100km 1.6L Hyb/ULP 6 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 6.1L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 10.5L/100km 3.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2021 SUV 7.5L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2021 SUV 10.6L/100km 3.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2020 SUV 7.5L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2020 SUV 9.3L/100km 2.4L ULP 6 SP AUTO
* Combined fuel consumption See All Hyundai Santa Fe Pricing and Specs for 2024

Hyundai Santa Fe Engine

The new-generation Santa Fe is current exclusively available as a 172kW/367Nm four cylinder petrol-electric hybrid.

Hyundai Santa Fe Engine

Hyundai Santa Fe Speed

The Santa Fe has a 0-100km/h time of about 10 seconds. Top speed is around 230km/h.

Hyundai Santa Fe Range

The Santa Fe has a range of about 1196km.