The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the best midsize crossovers you can buy. It comes well equipped, has decent fuel economy, a smooth ride, a pleasant interior, and gives you lots of value for your money in a very competitive segment. The only real drawback is the Santa Fe isn’t as athletic as other crossovers.
Base Price: $37,350
As Tested: $38,580
Horsepower: 185
Mileage: 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/24 mpg combined
The Santa Fe got a makeover for the 2019 model year. For 2020, the Santa FE is no longer available with a third row (the Palisade is now Hyundai’s three-row crossover) and two trims, SEL Plus and Ultimate, are discontinued. A new Blind View Monitor is added, which shows images in the driver display of what’s in the driver’s blind spots.
The five-passenger 2020 Santa Fe comes in three trims: SE, SEL and Limited. Starting prices range from $26,275 to $39,575 which are low for a midsize crossover or SUV. Front-wheel-drive is standard and you can add all-wheel-drive on any trim for $1,700.
Two engines are available. The SE trim comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most buyers will want to bump up to the SEL or Limited trim to go with the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 235 horses and 260 pound-feet. (The turbo engine is not available on the SE trim.)
My tester has the base engine. There’s enough power for running errands and most daily driving situations, but this power plant is lackluster. In particular, the pace can be leisurely when you try to accelerate or want to merge or pass at freeway speeds. Otherwise the ride is smooth and comfortable. The Santa Fe corners well with little body lean and glides over rough roads.
When properly equipped, the Santa Fe can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Fuel efficiency is decent for a midsize crossover. EPA ratings for my AWD tester are 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for a combined rating of 24. I got 25 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The interior is pleasant and comfortable. It has an upscale feel for the price. Materials look and feel good, seats are spacious and supportive, and the cabin is quiet. Taller folks in both rows have decent leg- and headroom. The back seats even recline.
Standard features include key less entry, rear view camera, cloth upholstery, infotainment system with a seven-inch display, Bluetooth, four USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a rear-seat reminder.
Standard advanced driver assistance technologies include lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and driver drowsiness monitoring.
Available features include proximity key less entry, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, eight-inch touchscreen, navigation, 12-speaker Infinity audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless device charging, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and surround-view parking camera.
Available advanced driver assistance technologies include blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert. The Safe Exit Assist system monitors rear traffic before passengers get out of the Santa Fe. Blind View Monitor shows real-time images in the driver’s instrument display of what’s in the vehicle’s left and right blind spots when the driver activates the turn signal.
The infotainment system is very user-friendly. It responds quickly to commands, it’s easy to see and reach, there are redundant knobs and buttons for common functions, and you can also use steering wheel controls for many functions. There’s a “My Menu” feature you can customize for the functions you use most.
Cargo space is about average for a midsize crossover. There are 35.9 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 71.3 cubes with the second row folded. There’s also a large storage area under the cargo floor where you can hide valuables or transport other items. A hands-free power lift gate is available.
The Santa Fe has Hyundai’s excellent five-year/60,000-mile warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The good:
- Lots of standard and available features
- Great value for the money
- Decent fuel efficiency for the class
- Comfortable, pleasant cabin
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Excellent warranty
The not-so-good:
- Lackluster base engine
- Performance not as dynamic as some rivals even with upgraded engine
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $37,350. Carpeted floor mats are $135. Delivery fee is $1,095 bringing the grand total to $38,580.
Bottom line:
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe does not have the peppiest performance among midsize crossovers. But other than that, it’s a very solid offering and definitely worth considering. It comes with a long list of features, has a smooth ride, and a roomy and comfortable cabin, all at a very reasonable price.
