2023 Hyundai Santa Fe:
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe receives less praise than the Korean brand’s larger SUV lineup, but it still stands out and has appealing features. The mid-size Santa Fe, which sits between the little Tucson and the three-row Palisade, includes two rows of seats and a variety of engine choices. An unimpressive 2.5-liter inline-four engine with 191 horsepower is the norm; a stronger turbo-four with 277 horsepower is an option, and it comes with our recommendation. With either front- or all-wheel drive, both engines are offered.
Hyundai also provides a hybrid version of the Santa Fe with 226 horsepower and an EPA-rated 36 mpg in the city. The plug-in hybrid vehicle has 260 horsepower, a combined MPGe rating of 76, and an estimated electric-only range of 31 miles. The capacious 2023 Sante Fe, which has a cheap base price and a comfortable ride, is ranked in the middle of the pack among mid-size SUVs, mostly because of a particularly sluggish basic engine.
What has changed for 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Other than a reorganization of the basic equipment, not much is different for the Sante Fe in 2023. Depending on the trim level, Hyundai modifies the front fascia and does away with the SEL Convenience package. For improved sound insulation, the SE model and higher models now have acoustic-laminated front windows. They also include puddle lights that illuminate the area around the doors.
The SEL now comes standard with a 10.3-inch center touchscreen, rear sunshades, adaptive cruise control that is based on GPS, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both of these are now included as standard equipment on all hybrid models, along with a navigation system that can get updates wirelessly. Finally, Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous drive mode and the larger touchscreen are now included as standard equipment for the plug-in hybrid.
Cost (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
Our favorite vehicle in the portfolio is the SEL Premium hybrid, and not only because it has a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid engine. Additionally, it adds desirable amenities such a panoramic sunroof, a Harman/Kardon sound system, eight-way power front seats, and ambient interior lighting. The base four-cylinder-equipped models practically creep to cruising speed, but the hybrid adds zip and offers improved fuel efficiency.
Performance (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are now two of the four powertrain options for the Santa Fe. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower is the basic engine. The more potent 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which generates 277 horsepower, is an option for buyers.
Both come with a discrete eight-speed automatic gearbox and either front-wheel drive as standard or all-wheel drive as an option. The hybrid variant only has a six-speed automatic transmission, produces 226 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, and has all-wheel drive as standard. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric motor combine to produce 260 horsepower for the plug-in hybrid’s powertrain.
A gas-fed XRT vehicle with the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder performed poorly at our test track, needing 9.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. We’d advise the turbocharged variant if you’re searching for a Santa Fe with a perkier acceleration. We achieved a brisk 6.0-second 60-mph pace during our test drive of a loaded Calligraphy model with the turbocharged four-cylinder.
Other than that, the Santa Fe offers a comfortable and steady ride while doing daily tasks as well as just enough agility and steering feedback to please people who like driving. The Chevy Blazer or Honda Passport are two options for SUV drivers seeking a more engaging driving experience. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid Santa Fe can only tow up to 2000 pounds, but the gas-fed Santa Fe can pull up to 3500 pounds.
Specifications (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
| Body Type | SUV |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| TransmissionType | Manual |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 2199 |
| No. of cylinder | 4 |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 436.39Nm@1800-2500rpm |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 194bhp |
Interior (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
Instead than having trendy designs and high-end materials, Hyundai interiors are most renowned for their reliable construction and useful functionality. The Santa Fe nevertheless sports a stylish interior with a range of modern features, including as a digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and more.
Small changes were made to the Santa Fe’s interior layout last year to bring it more in line with the Palisade SUV, which is bigger and more opulent. The vehicle’s most notable feature is the roomy passenger capacity in both rows, which is useful for lengthy road journeys. With the rear seats folded flat, we were able to fit 33 bags in total including 15 carry-on bags in the Santa Fe’s roomy cargo area behind the back seat.
Dimensions (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
| Height (mm) | 1690 |
| Width (mm) | 1880 |
| Length (mm) | 4690 |
| Kerb Weight (Kg) | 2001 |
| Rear Tread (mm) | 1639 |
| Front Tread (mm) | 1628 |
| Wheel Base (mm) | 2700 |
Battery life (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
According to the EPA, the 12.4 kWh battery pack in the plug-in hybrid Santa Fe allows for up to 31 miles of electric-only driving.
Infotainment (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
Every Santa Fe offers a pleasurable entertainment experience thanks to its dashboard-topping 8.0- or 10.3-inch touchscreen that has user-friendly controls and appealing features. It offers a 630-watt, 12-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features, as well as optional wireless charging.
Fuel efficiency (2023 Hyundai Santa Fe):
According to the EPA, the non-turbo four-cylinder Santa Fe will get up to 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Ratings for the optional turbocharged variant reach 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The hybrid vehicle received ratings of up to 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. As part of our extensive testing process, an all-wheel-drive Calligraphy test car with the 2.5-liter turbo-four managed 27 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test at 75 mph.
Features for driver assistance:
Numerous driver-assistance features, like as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, are included as standard equipment with the Santa Fe. Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for additional details regarding the Santa Fe’s crash test results. Important safety elements include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking and front collision warning.
- Adaptive cruise control that is standard and equipped with stop-and-go.
- Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance are standard.
Coverage for warranties and maintenance:
One of the greatest warranty programs available is offered by Hyundai, and it has extensive powertrain coverage. Additionally, the business now provides free routine maintenance, outperforming well-known competitors like Toyota.
- Five years or 60,000 miles are covered by the limited warranty.
- Powertrain warranties are valid for ten years or 100,000 miles.
- Free maintenance is good for three years or 36,000 miles.
