Latest News
2024 Volkswagen Taos Review2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: Solid Mid-Sizer
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offers modern sheet metal, the option for a punchy powertrain, features galore, and the automakers’ signature warranty.
What’s New for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe?
For 2020, the previous three-row Santa Fe XL is replaced by the Palisade and the two-row Santa Fe Sport drops its Sport nomenclature to become the stand-alone Santa Fe. One year into its fourth generation, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe makes the Rear Occupant Alert a lineup standard feature with Limited models gaining the live-stream Blind View Monitor and dark chrome exterior trim. Aside from that, content is reshuffled amongst the three trims like pushing certain driver-aids up to the SEL and making wireless charging more widely available.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe – hyundainews.com | Shop 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Handsome modern exterior styling
19-inch wheels make turbo models look great
High-end amenities at reasonable pricing
All models feature smartphone-mirroring
Fuel economy is nothing special
It’s a well-priced, nicely appointed SUV
2020 Santa Fe Specs
- 185 horsepower from base engine
- 178 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 36 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 71 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 3,500 lb towing capacity
- Full-color heads-up-display
- Blind View Monitor displays live feed
- 3 years of complimentary maintenance
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Powertrain
Hyundai’s Theta II engine platform underpins both the standard, naturally aspirated motor and optional boosted mill. That standard setup consists of a 2.4L inline-4 making 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque driving the front wheels via 8-speed automatic. On SEL and Limited trim, a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder is available that makes 235 horses and 260 torques mated to the same drivetrain configuration. Opting for the turbo nets 19” wheels that promise sprightlier handling to go along with the fully independent suspension, but it also incurs a near $7000 price premium. HTRAC AWD can be fitted to any 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe for about $1700. It automatically pushes torque to the front and rear axles and can be adjusted based on the driver-selectable modes for Normal, Sport, and Smart settings.
Towing & Payload
Though in the mid-size SUV camp, a properly equipped 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe can lug up to 3,500 pounds of trailered goods. It needs to be fitted with the turbocharged engine and a trailer brake controller, but that model comes standard with a heavy-duty transmission oil cooler and, like all trims, 4-pin pre-wiring hookup. Models with the base motor can handle a maximum load of 2,400 pounds when properly equipped.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Economy & MPG
Idle start-stop technology is employed on both engine offerings in the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, with the naturally aspirated option achieving 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway in FWD guise. An AWD version drops by 1 and 2 mpg, respectively, in city and highway driving environments. The extra power found in the 2.0T comes with a reduction in fuel efficiency, resulting in estimates of 20 mpg around town and 27 mpg on the open road for FWD setup or 20/26, respectively, when equipped with AWD.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Every 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe features an acoustic laminated windshield with the Limited trim bringing the same spec to the front windows, helping keep outside noise from getting in. Cloth fabric is found on base models, but the SEL can be optioned with leather seating and comes standard with heated front cushions. Find yourself a Limited Santa Fe to enjoy ventilated first row seats, heated rears, soft-touch door panels, and a heated steering wheel. Dual-zone automatic climate control furthers the cozy cabin atmosphere that manages 41” of legroom in the back seat, which also reclines. You can hide items in the underfloor cargo area bin or fold down the rear seats to open up 71 cubic feet of space.
Entertainment & Technology
Across the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup, owners will find an infotainment system embedded with Apple and Android smartphone software run through a 7” display, though only Limited trim comes with the larger 8” display. On SEL trim and above, Blue Link (the company’s telematics software) adds vehicle connectivity via smartphone to remotely control functions like climate, engine start, and door locks. Limited models feature navigation with live traffic data, a 630-watt, Infinity 12-speaker audio system, wireless charging pad, and 115V power outlet, which should be enough to please most tech-focused consumers.
Safety Features
Hyundai fits all 2020 Santa Fe models with automatic high beams, rear occupant alert, forward collision avoidance, and lane keeping assist. Mid-level SEL trim adds blind spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance to the ADAS list along with safe exit assistance. Blind view monitor, which is standard on the Limited, displays a live feed of vehicle blind spots within the digital gauge cluster screen based on turn-signal activation. All this tech helps the Santa Fe earn a 5-star crash rating from NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims & Pricing
SE – $27,450
Base model 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SE trim comes in well under $30,000 while offering such standard equipment as 17” alloy wheels, body-color side mirrors, and LED daytime running lamps. Cloth upholstery covers the interior that features a 7” infotainment screen set atop the dashboard. Along with Apple and Android smartphone integration, there are dual USB ports to keep occupants charged up. A long list of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are included like smart cruise control with stop & go functionality, rear occupant alert to ensure no one gets left behind, and a driver attention warning to prevent drowsy driving.
SEL – $29,200
All-wheel-drive is available on any trim, but you’ll need at least an SEL model to access the brawnier, turbocharged motor that adds nearly $7000 in cost. Exterior improvements on the SEL include welcome lighting projecting from the door handles and side mirrors, which are also heated. Passive, keyless entry makes sitting in the power-adjustable, heated front seats that much easier. Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system brings a host of connectivity and a 7” TFT screen offers more information in the gauge cluster. Ticking the Convenience package box, for $2250, brings 18” wheels, a hands-free liftgate, and dual-zone automatic climate controls.
Limited – $37,200
Top-spec Limited trim gets pricey, particularly if you add AWD and the turbo mill, but there quite a few upgrades like full exterior LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and roof rails that justify the premium. That continues in the cabin with leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated rears, and second row sunshades. The infotainment display increases in size to 8 inches and picks up navigation, a 12-speaker Infinity stereo system, HUD, and more. Additional driver aids include a surround view monitor, reverse parking sonar, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Warranties
Hyundai’s renowned 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty applies to the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe along with 5 years or 60,000 miles of coverage on the overall vehicle. Roadside assistance is available for unlimited miles over a 5-year span and, new for 2020, complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance is included for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
What we think
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe – hyundainews.com | Shop 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe on Carsforsale.com
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offers all the best features of any Hyundai – reasonable pricing, plenty of features, and a killer warranty – all in a nicely styled midsize SUV wrapper. That makes the Santa Fe a worthwhile consideration for any prospective buyer.
Most Popular
