The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe continues to impress as a versatile midsize SUV, combining value, technology, and comfort. It offers a balanced mix of utility and style, perfect for families or daily commuting. With a range of trims and hybrid options, the Santa Fe caters to various driver preferences.
On the exterior, the 2023 Santa Fe sports a bold and modern design. The wide cascading grille, sleek LED headlights, and strong body lines give it a rugged yet refined look. The sculpted rear with LED taillights and available larger wheels enhance its commanding presence. Its overall profile balances sophistication with the ruggedness needed for an SUV, making it both functional and stylish.
Under the hood, the Santa Fe offers a variety of powertrain options. A standard 2.5-liter inline-4 produces 191 horsepower, while a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivers a more robust 277 horsepower. For those seeking efficiency, the hybrid variant combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor for a combined 226 horsepower. All engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available for extra traction.
Driving the Santa Fe is a pleasant experience, thanks to its smooth ride quality and responsive handling. The base engine is adequate for daily commuting, while the turbocharged option provides more spirited acceleration. The hybrid variant offers a good balance of power and efficiency, making it ideal for eco-conscious drivers. The suspension absorbs road imperfections well, providing a composed ride both on the highway and around town. Steering is light but precise, making the Santa Fe easy to maneuver in various conditions.
Fuel economy for the Santa Fe is competitive. The standard 2.5-liter engine achieves an estimated 25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while the turbocharged variant is slightly less efficient at 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The hybrid model excels in efficiency, offering 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, making it a great option for long-distance trips or city driving.
Safety is a priority for the 2023 Santa Fe, with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite coming standard across all trims. This package includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Available features like a 360-degree camera, rear cross-traffic alert, and highway driving assist add to the safety of the vehicle, making the Santa Fe one of the more comprehensive offerings in terms of safety features in its class.
Inside, the 2023 Santa Fe offers a spacious and upscale cabin. The materials are of high quality, with soft-touch surfaces and available leather upholstery adding a premium feel. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second row provides ample legroom for passengers. The cargo space is generous, with 36.4 cubic feet of room behind the second row, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it highly practical for families or those needing extra storage.
Technology in the Santa Fe is impressive, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.25-inch display available in higher trims. Both systems support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the larger screen adds built-in navigation. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an available head-up display bring modern convenience to the driver’s experience. Wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system round out the tech offerings, ensuring that both drivers and passengers are well-connected and entertained.
The 2023 Santa Fe is available in several trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The base SE starts around $30,000 and includes essential features like cloth upholstery, automatic headlights, and the SmartSense safety suite. Moving up to the SEL adds amenities like a power driver’s seat and heated front seats. The XRT trim gives the Santa Fe a more rugged appearance with blacked-out accents and roof rails. Limited and Calligraphy trims add luxury touches like leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated seats. The Calligraphy tops out the lineup, offering near-luxury features for around $44,000.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) trim of the Santa Fe offers a more eco-friendly option with an all-electric range of 30 miles. It combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a more powerful electric motor, producing a combined 261 horsepower. The PHEV model is ideal for those looking to minimize fuel consumption, particularly on shorter commutes. It comes well-equipped with many of the features found in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, making it a premium choice within the Santa Fe lineup. With federal tax credits potentially available, the PHEV’s pricing remains competitive for a plug-in hybrid SUV.
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe remains a versatile and family-friendly SUV with something for everyone. Its range of powertrains, including a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option, make it both powerful and efficient. The safety features, interior comfort, and modern technology ensure that it stays relevant in the competitive midsize SUV segment, offering a balanced package of practicality and style.
