“Is that a Land Rover?” I was asked that a few times during my week with the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. This three-row crossover was redesigned for 2024 with a boxy, rugged look that does indeed resemble a Land Rover. While the Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t have the performance or off-road capability of a Land Rover, it’s great as a daily driver and for family road trips, comes loaded with features, and, of course, costs less than that luxury brand.
The hybrid model of the Santa Fe debuted for the 2021 model year. A plug-in hybrid was introduced for 2022 but was discontinued after 2024. The 2024 makeover brought the new boxy shape for the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid, new exterior and interior styling, additional space for passengers and cargo, standard three-row seating, and a new hybrid powertrain. There are no major changes for 2025.
The 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid comes in three trims: SEL, Limited and Calligraphy. Starting prices are $37,800, $44,700 and $47,850, respectively. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on every trim for $1,800. The Santa Fe is also available with a regular gas-powered engine, with starting prices from $34,300 to $48,650.
There’s room for six or seven passengers in three rows of seating. The lower trims come standard with bench seating in the second row, while the Calligraphy trim comes standard with captain’s chairs.
With its boxy design, the 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid and its gas-powered sibling stand out in a sea of crossovers that have sloping rooflines. Admittedly, the square shape won’t please everyone, but I think Hyundai has hit a home run with the updated styling, and it’s easy to spot the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid in a packed parking lot!
All hybrid trims get the same powertrain: a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a single electric motor. Total output is 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a six-speed automatic
On paper, that doesn’t look like a lot to power a large vehicle that weighs 4,431 to 4,575 pounds, depending on the trim, and there will be times when you wish for more oomph. With that said, there’s sufficient power for most driving situations. It’s not like you’re going to be aggressively driving a three-row crossover, after all. Acceleration can be leisurely from a stop, but there’s enough power for merging and passing at highway speeds. The six-speed shifts smoothly and quickly. The Santa Fe Hybrid feels reasonably planted when cornering, but the boxy shape does make for some body roll. Steering is light and brakes are responsive. The suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps on all but the roughest roads. Overall, this is a pleasant and easy vehicle to drive, whether you’re commuting to work, taking the kids to school and all their activities, or heading out on a road trip.
Fuel economy isn’t quite as good as some other three-row hybrid crossovers. EPA ratings for the AWD trims are 35 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined. I got 34 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Front-wheel drive models get 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 36 mpg combined.
When properly equipped, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid can tow up to 1,650 pounds, or 2,000 pounds when equipped with trailer brakes – think smaller toys such as jet skis or small trailers.
The interior is upscale and roomy. Materials are of high quality. A large touchscreen is on the dash. Seats in the first two rows are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of leg- and headroom, even for taller passengers. As you’d expect, the third row isn’t as spacious and the seats aren’t as cushy. It’s most suitable for kids, although smaller adults will be fine, especially on shorter trips.
Standard features include rearview camera, synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, six-way manually adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 4.2-inch color LCD driver information display, 12.3-inch touch screen with over-the-air update capability, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, Hyundai’s Blue Link+ connectivity suite, wireless device charging, four USB-C ports, 60/40-split-folding second-row seats, and automatic headlights with high-beam assist.
Available features include fingerprint recognition, remote start, proximity keyless entry, surround-view camera system, head-up display, auto-dimming interior mirror, digital rearview mirror, heated side mirrors, power-folding side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, real leather upholstery, Nappa leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory settings, two-way power lumbar support for the driver’s seat, six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, heated rear seats, front-row relaxation seats (the seats recline with a leg rest so you can stretch out during breaks), 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display, 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, dual wireless device charging, 12-volt power outlet, two third-row USB ports, ambient interior lighting, manual rear sunshades, conventional or dual-pane sunroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a UV-C sterilization compartment in the glove box that uses ultraviolet light to sanitize small devices such as phones, wallets and keys.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, driver-attention monitoring, safe exit assist, and rear-seat alert.
Available driver assistance technologies include lane-centering assist, lane-change assist, highway driving assist, and blind-spot camera (displays video of what’s in your blind spot when you activate the turn signal).
The infotainment system looks great with its large 12.3-inch touchscreen and is user-friendly. Menus are logically arranged, graphics are sharp, and the large icons are easy to see and reach. The system responds quickly to touch and voice commands. Volume and tuning knobs make it easy to adjust audio settings. Climate settings are located below the touchscreen and are also easy to use.
Cargo space is good for the class. There are only 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, which is enough space for a few grocery bags. The space expands to 40.5 cubes with the third row folded, and a generous 79.6 cubes with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power liftgate is standard. The second-row seats split fold 60/40 with the push of a button, providing flexibility in hauling passengers and cargo.
Like all Hyundai vehicles, the Santa Fe Hybrid gets the automaker’s excellent five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and three years of free scheduled maintenance.
The good:
Rugged, boxy looks that stand out in the SUV/crossover crowd
Easy handling
Smooth ride
Upscale cabin
Plenty of passenger and cargo space
Lots of standard and available features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Good value for the money
The not-so-good:
Some rivals have better performance
Fuel economy isn’t as good as some other hybrid SUVs
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $49,050. Ultimate Red paint is $470. Carpeted floor mats are $210. The destination fee is $1,415, bringing the grand total to $51,145.
Bottom line:
The 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid has a boxy, rugged look that sets it apart from other SUVs. This three-row crossover is easy to drive, has an upscale cabin with plenty of room for passengers and cargo, and a long list of standard and available features and tech. While its performance isn’t as robust as some rivals, the Santa Fe Hybrid is a strong contender among hybrid SUVs.
