2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Review, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

For those who don’t need a third row of seats but still like the idea of a mid-size crossover, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a comfortable, spacious cabin and a premium appearance, earning it a spot on our Editors’ Choice list. Four different powertrains are offered, including hybrid and a plug-in hybrid variants. The Santa Fe is fairly satisfying to drive, although none of the models could be called outright athletic. Hyundai has baked in a host of driver-assistance features as standard, and the Santa Fe’s infotainment technology is on par with other SUVs in this segment. Four adults should find ample space across the Santa Fe’s two rows and cargo space that’s generous enough to hold bulky items or a load of luggage.

What’s New for 2022?

A plug-in hybrid powertrain joins the Santa Fe lineup for 2022. This 260-hp option also delivers up to 31 miles of electric-only driving per charge, but is unfortunately limited in its availability. Unless you live in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, or Vermont, you may have to wait for the Santa Fe PHEV to make its nationwide debut. In the meantime, you could select the new XRT trim level, which is based on the nonhybrid Santa Fe. The XRT adds a more rugged exterior appearance by adding side steps, skid plates, and a unique wheel design.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The Limited is our pick of the lineup, and not just because it adds luxury features such as leather upholstery, rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. Those are nice to have, but our main reason for recommending the Limited is that it’s the lowest-priced model available with the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Models equipped with the base nonturbo four-cylinder veritably crawl to a cruising speed and for driving enthusiasts like us that performance—or the lack thereof—simply will not do.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Santa Fe is available with a quartet of powertrains that now includes both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191-hp, and buyers can opt for the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter mill that makes 277-hp. Both pair with an unobtrusive eight-speed automatic transmission and standard front- or optional all-wheel drive. The hybrid model makes do with a six-speed automatic, uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a pair of electric motors to make 226-hp, and comes standard with all-wheel drive. At our test track, an XRT model with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder proved poky, requiring 9.6 seconds to reach 60 mph. If you’re looking for a Santa Fe with a perkier feel, we’d suggest going with the turbocharged model. In our test drive of a loaded Calligraphy model with the turbocharged four-cylinder, we recorded a sprightly 6.0-second zero-to-60-mph time. The Santa Fe provides a relaxed and stable ride during everyday duties and just enough agility and steering feedback to satisfy those who enjoy driving. Those looking for a more vivid driving experience in their SUV should see the Chevy Blazer or Honda Passport.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The plug-in hybrid model uses a 12.4-kWh battery pack to deliver up to 31 miles of electric-only driving. The powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor which together put out 260-hp combined.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the 2022 Santa Fe with the non-turbo four-cylinder will earn up to 25 mpg city and 28 highway. The optional turbocharged version has ratings as high as 22 mpg city and 28 highway. The hybrid model earned ratings as high as 36 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, part of our comprehensive testing regimen, our all-wheel-drive Calligraphy test vehicle managed 27 mpg. For more information about the Santa Fe’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Hyundai interiors are better known for their solid build quality and worthwhile features rather than edgy designs and upscale materials. Still, the Santa Fe has an attractive cabin that offers a variety of contemporary options that include a digital gauge cluster, head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and more. Last year, the Santa Fe received slight tweaks to the interior design that aligned it more closely with the larger and more luxurious Palisade SUV. Its most impressive attribute is generous passenger space in both rows that are a boon on long road trips. The Santa Fe also has ample cargo space behind the back seat where we stuffed 15 carry-on bags and an additional 18 with the rear seat folded flat.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Outfitted with a dashboard-topping 8.0- or 10.3-inch touchscreen that includes user-friendly controls and desirable features, every Santa Fe delivers a pleasant infotainment experience. It serves up standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as optional wireless charging and a 630-watt, 12-speaker audio system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Santa Fe comes with a ton of standard driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. For more information about the Santa Fe’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai has one of the best warranty plans on the market that’s highlighted by a lengthy powertrain coverage. The company also now offers complimentary scheduled maintenance that bests mainstream rivals such as Toyota.

• Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance covers three years or 36,000 miles

More Features and Specs