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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EV2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Review
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe offers buyers unbeatable technology, warranty coverage, and space for five adults to ride in comfort.
What’s New for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Hyundai adds the Santa Fe XRT to the lineup for 2022. It comes with special 18-inch wheels, side steps, a dark exterior trim package, and roof rack cross rails. Hyundai also adds a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe plug-in hybrid alongside the normal hybrid powertrain options for some states. As for items leaving, the 19-inch wheels offered last year on the Calligraphy trim have been discontinued for 2022.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Nearly limitless configurability
Sporty acceleration
Tons of features for the price
Sluggish infotainment system
Some cheap materials
XRT Trims needs a lift
2022 Santa Fe Specs
- 191 horsepower from base engine
- 181 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 36 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 72 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 3,500 lb max towing capacity
- Cool blind-spot cameras
- Fantastic lane-keep system
- 10-year powertrain warranty
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Powertrain
The base 2.5L four-cylinder motor in the Santa Fe is a bit underwhelming for us. Rated at under 200 horsepower, it’s just not enough to make this SUV feel modern in the way it drives. It’s slower than most of its rivals and it handles less athletically too. The Mazda CX-5, Chevy Blazer, and Honda Passport all provide better driving dynamics. Still, the eight-speed transmission makes up for many situations where power is less than desired.
Hyundai also provides both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. Both hybrid versions use a 1.6L turbocharged engine coupled to a pair of electric motors and sends power to all four wheels standard. The new plug-in hybrid is capable of up to 30 miles of all-electric range too. Both of these hybrids are great for those looking to save at the pump.
The more potent 2.5L turbocharged engine that’s available is the way to go in our eyes. It’s far more engaging with 277 horsepower on tap. Merging or overtaking on the highway is simple and quick too. If we have any complaints, it’s that the body roll that’s present in the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is even more evident with additional power on tap. Nevertheless, the Santa Fe should prove to be a fantastic city ride or highway cruiser for most. It’s very composed, doesn’t get unsettled easily, and provides good feedback through the steering wheel and pedals.
Towing & Payload
Though we don’t expect many buyers to tow with the Santa Fe, it’s good to know that it can haul if it has to. With the proper equipment, it can handle up to 3,500 pounds of trailer weight behind it. Jumping for the hybrid model though will limit you to 2,000 pounds of towing capacity.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Economy & MPG
Hyundai falls just a bit behind most of its main rivals when it comes to fuel economy. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe gets an EPA-rated 26 mpg combined at the base level and 25 mpg combined for the 2.5L turbocharged option. All-wheel-drive equipped non-hybrid models both fall to just 24 mpg combined. At the same time, the two different hybrid powertrains remedy this issue with the standard hybrid reaching 32 mpg combined and the PHEV reaching a commendable 76 mpge combined rating.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
It’s hard to spot a major flaw with the Hyundai Santa Fe when it comes to ride comfort. It’s not sporty but that means it can focus on soaking up bumps. It does that job beautifully and as a result, it feels much more expensive than it actually is. The layout of the interior helps in that effort as well. The center console has a command center kind of feel to it. Buttons, knobs, and switches are a bit tightly packed but we like it overall. Everything is within hand reach and that’s outstanding.
Some materials are a bit cheap though. Hard plastics can be found throughout the cabin and they detract from the Santa Fe’s otherwise polished finish. The seats though help recover from that blemish. They’re supportive and comfortable. They’re highly adjustable too and my goodness to the seat heaters roast you when you want them to. No, this isn’t a full-blown luxury car but it’s far nicer than its price lets on.
Entertainment & Technology
There might not be another car in the segment that comes with as much technology for the money. The Santa Fe is full of cool stuff from a great infotainment system with Android and Apple Integration to some of the most advanced driver aids on the market. The lane-keep system (not assist) makes long trips a breeze by doing much of the steering for you.
We also love the upgraded infotainment and sound system. 12 speakers is a lot for a vehicle of this size and the sound quality is full and well balanced as a result. The 10.25-inch screen is bright and easy to use. If there’s anything to complain about, it’s that both infotainment systems can lag from time to time.
Safety Features
The IIHS awarded the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe its Top Safety Pick + designation. In addition, the 2021 model year scored five stars in the NHTSA’s crash testing. We can’t think of a vehicle in the segment that can beat it on safety when it comes to those scores and included equipment considering its price.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims & Pricing
SE – $27,200
The base 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SE comes with a 191-horsepower four-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic. It also gets 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. Every Santa Fe also gets a full suite of safety tech like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision mitigation. In addition, all Santa Fe’s can be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system. A hybrid drivetrain is also available for all trims except the Calligraphy and the XRT.
SEL – $29,000
The SEL trim level opens up a lot more options in the form of a Convenience package equipped with a digital instrument panel, power-folding rear seats, and dual-zone climate control. That package then opens up the Premium package which comes with leather upholstery, a larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen, and a 12-speaker premium audio system. Even without that additional equipment, the SEL comes with heated front seats, a wireless charging pad, keyless entry, and blind-spot monitoring.
XRT – $32,300
Those who want a more rugged-looking SUV should consider the XRT. It gets body-colored door handles, XRT side steps, roof rack cross rails, and XRT-specific wheels and trim. It’s similarly equipped to the SEL.
Blue Hybrid – $33,750
The Santa Fe Blue Hybrid is the cheapest hybrid option available. It drops in a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is paired with two electric motors. Hybrid models also have a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard HTRAC AWD. The Blue trim adds a lot of the same amenities found in the XRT, with the exception of having an 8-inch infotainment system and none of the rugged XRT accessories.
SEL Premium Hybrid – $37,810
The SEL Premium Hybrid gains the hybrid powertrain, everything from the SEL trim, and adds on everything from the Premium package, like leather upholstery and the 10.25-inch infotainment system.
Limited – $38,960
Luxury is the focus of the Limited trim and it gets ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, and a bigger 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower. It also adds a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and a cool blind-spot camera system with displays that activate in the gauge cluster when a turn signal is activated.
SEL Convenience PHEV – $39,350
The Santa Fe SEL Convenience PHEV takes everything from the Blue trim and swaps in the plug-in hybrid option that provides 30 miles of all-electric driving.
Limited Hybrid – $40,160
The Santa Fe Limited Hybrid takes all the luxury additions from the standard Limited, but adds in the fuel saving hybrid option.
Calligraphy – $40,960
The top-of-the-line 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy edition gets everything from the Limited and tacks on 20-inch wheels, premium Nappa leather upholstery, ambient interior trim, and a heads-up display.
Limited PHEV – $45,360
Finally, the Santa Fe Limited PHEV comes in at the highest starting price with its plug-in option and all the additions from the standard Limited trim.
Warranties
Hyundai puts almost every other brand to shame with its outstanding 5-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty, its 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and its 3 years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on every 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. For those who get the hybrid options, those components are also covered for 10 years of 100,000 miles.
What we think
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe – hyundainews.com | Shop 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe on Carsforsale.com
Considering how many different ways one can outfit the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, it’s hard to understand why other options would even be relevant, save for more athletic driving dynamics. The combination of quality, technology, and warranty coverage put the Santa Fe way ahead of most rivals. Plus, those hybrid options help it keep it competitive in a changing landscape focused on fuel savings and electrically charged propulsion.
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