WHY THIS THREE-ROW COMPACT SUV SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is the latest offering from the Korean car manufacturer in the compact SUV segment. The new look of this vehicle is not the only change that Hyundai has brought with the new model. While its external features may look a little boxier than the previous model, reminiscent of a Land Rover Defender, the entire package is an improvement on the previous model, and rivals all other competitors in this category.

The square shape of the new Hyundai Santa Fe lends more versatility to the vehicle, while the feature-rich interior, three-row seating, and sufficient engine power for the job make the Santa Fe stand out as an excellent family SUV, outdoor adventure vehicle, or comfortable commuter.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is set to challenge other competitors in the compact SUV market with an impressive array of features and enhancements. As one of Hyundai's popular models, the Santa Fe has long been known for its combination of style, performance, and cutting-edge technology. For 2024, Hyundai has taken this winning formula to new heights, offering a vehicle that is both modern and powerful, practical and luxurious.

From its bold exterior design to its sophisticated interior, every aspect of the 2024 Santa Fe should put this capable vehicle on the radar for a wide range of the discerning motoring public.

The main highlights of the new model include the following:

• “H” styling throughout the design
• Longer wheelbase
• Usable third-row seating
• Large easy-lift tailgate
• 2.5 Liter turbo engine, with a 1.6 Liter turbo hybrid option

New “H” Styling

Hyundai have incorporated the “H” from their logo into many of the styling elements of the vehicle. Some of the designs introduce the symbol in a subtle manner which is a pleasant surprise when it its noticed, while other examples, such the head and tail lights are more overt.

The “H” symbol can be spotted in the following areas

• The front bumper
• The daylight running lights
• Tail lights
• Brake lights
• Dashboard trim
• Air vents

The Santa Fe’s Third-Row Seating

Many compact SUVs featuring three-row seating do not have very practical dimensions for this space, limiting the usability and versatility of the back row. How does the Santa Fe stack up in this department?

Depending on the trim you choose, the Santa Fe can seat between six to seven people. The longer wheelbase of 110.8 inches supports more space for the third-row seats. While the space is not huge, it can seat an adult quite comfortably for short trips. The boxy design and dimensions should allow for better overall headroom and legroom.

Headroom, Legroom, And Shoulder Room In The Santa Fe

(Source: Hyundai)

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Options

The 2023 Santa Fe used to offer a normally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, but this option is not available in the 2024 model. The new version gives motorists the choice of a 2.5-Liter turbo engine or a 1.6-liter hybrid option.

Specifications

(Source: Hyundai)

Suitable Applications

The hybrid option with the 1.6 Liter Gamma III engine is designed for urban/suburban applications and has the numbers pack the ideal configuration and combination of power and economy to work well as a commuter or family vehicle, with enough versatility for general recreational tasks.

The 2.5 Liter Theta III engine provides more power, making it ideal for larger families, towing, and longer road trips. While it is also a suitable urban vehicle, the additional engine capacity lends itself to rugged outdoor applications, especially when equipped with the more rugged XRT Trim designed for this purpose.

Value With Practical Features And Comfort

The Hyundai Santa Fe is equipped with the latest technology for comfort and driver assistance to complement the eye-pleasing design and practicality of the vehicle. Hyundai has gone all out with the 2024 Santa Fe, which has positioned it as a top contender in the compact SUV market segment for anyone seeking a capable, stylish, practical SUV.

A particular feature that deserves special mention is the power-lift tailgate, which is flat against the vehicle backend, and lifts to an impressive height when fully open. No more bruises on the head when loading up the back of your Santa Fe! The tailgate can be set to open to varying heights.

Available Trims

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a wide and diverse range of trims that appeal to varying preferences and needs of potential three-row SUV buyers. The versatility of the range is a key factor why this SUV has the potential to become one of the top compact SUVs of 2024.

Right from the base model to the top-of-the-line trim, each configuration of the Santa Fe offers a luxury features, performance, and style. There is a trim available for buyers that prioritize efficiency and luxury and for those requiring towing capability, long-distance trips, or off-road capability.

Pricing

The pricing of the Santa Fe just like its Hyundai's EV crossovers is also positioned to be competitive in the market, particularly considering the array of features included in the vehicle.

(Source: Hyundai)

Stacking Up Against The Competition

Hyundai is setting new standards with the 2024 Santa Fe, which is making this vehicle stand head and shoulders above most of its competitors in the compact SUV category. In such a competitive automotive segment, buyers are looking for models that give them the most comfort, features and value for money, and the Santa Fe certainly delivers in this aspect when compared to the competition.

Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent can be considered mid-sized SUV, but the 2024 Santa Fe can compete favorably even against vehicles in this class. The Ascent base model comes in at a respectable $34,395, whereas the Santa Fe base model slips in under this price at $33,950.

The Subaru Ascent third row offers headroom of 36.2 Inches and legroom of 31.7 Inches. The Hyundai offers greater headroom at 37.3 Inches and only slightly less legroom at 30 Inches. The 2.5 Liter engine in the Santa Fe is more powerful than the Ascent's 2.4 Liter boxer mill, which delivers 260 horsepower against the 277 horsepower of the Korean SUV. This comparison reveals that the latest offering from Hyundai is capable of rivaling other SUVs in terms of features and value.

Mitsubishi Outlander

The Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a sleek and modern exterior with distinctive styling elements that give it a more upscale appearance compared to the Mitsubishi Outlander. The Santa Fe also offers a refined interior with high-quality materials and a user-friendly infotainment system.

Performance-wise, the Santa Fe engine produces 2.5 Liter engine produces 96 horsepower more than the Outlander’s 2.5 Liter engine. In a cost comparison, the Outlander base model comes in at $28,395, which is a little more than $5,500 cheaper than the Hyundai, but the Santa Fe is packed with many more features and more elegant styling than the Mitsubishi. For example, the Hyundai has advanced safety technologies like a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display, which are either not available or limited in the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Mitsubishi also has a three-row seat configuration, but the space in the third row is significantly limited compared to the Santa Fe. The legroom in the back row of the Mitsubishi is only 18.7 Inches compared to the 30 inches of the Hyundai. Third-row headroom in the Outlander is 34.5 Inches compared to the 37.3 Inches in the Hyundai. This makes the back row seating in the Mitsubishi only suitable for children.

The advanced features, superior performance and sophisticated styling of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe position this model to become one of the best compact SUV models for the year and why this vehicle should be on your radar as an SUV that is leading the pack of new models in this segment.

2024-03-10T07:02:17Z dg43tfdfdgfd