Taking a quick pit stop
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The Hyundai Santa Fe has been sold across five generations since its debut in the year 2000, with the latest model going on sale in 2024. We’re concentrating on the 2018-2023 car here though, which is the one you’ll find most abundantly in the used market - and it’s a great value way of getting a large seven-seat SUV.
Launched as a diesel, Hyundai introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid petrols in 2021, and these are another string to the Santa Fe’s bow, promising great fuel economy returns. The Santa Fe also gets a modern and spacious cabin, and doesn’t even look too bad, with upmarket styling. Read on to find out more about the Santa Fe’s trim levels and engine options.
The Santa Fe name conjures up images of the expansive, picturesque American west, but even in a rainy supermarket car park in Slough, Hyundai’s spacious SUV has plenty of appeal. By the standards of seven-seat machines, especially those in the popular SUV body format, it’s good value and promises relatively low running costs too.
The rearmost seats spring up out of the boot floor, and while they’re not full-size seats like those further forward, they’re more than sufficient for housing kids - while with the seats stowed, there’s a big boot, and the Santa Fe becomes a properly spacious five-seater. The interior is also comfortable and tastefully designed, taking some cues from the brand’s high-tech electric models in its layout, colour themes, and instrument graphics.
The high-tech displays feel especially at home with the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains offered in the Santa Fe, which offer temptingly high economy figures and a smooth drive. Don’t overlook the diesel though, which is still the one to have if you plan on towing, as it’s rated for much higher trailer weights than the hybrids. The ride is best on smaller wheels (you’ll find 17-inch options on entry-level cars) and the handling is secure, with a planted feel at motorway speeds.
Kia’s Sorento is the most obvious alternative to the Santa Fe, given it’s effectively the same car under the skin, and Kia actually has a small advantage in terms of its warranty, with a standard seven years, rather than Hyundai’s five - worth knowing if you’re looking at an older car. Other seven-seat SUVs to consider include the Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008, or if your budget is a little higher, the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
The only engine option for the 2018-2021 models was the 2.2-litre diesel, with the hybrid and plug-in hybrids joining the range in 2021. This will dictate your choice to some degree, though it does mean if you’re looking at the Santa Fe as a potential tow car, you can save a bit of money - the manual has a 2500kg rating and the automatic 2000kg, but both are greater than the 1500kg of the hybrids. The regular hybrid makes the most sense if towing isn’t a concern, and spec-wise, we’ve no real preference - all are well-equipped, though the Premium SE’s ventilated seats are a nice feature to have.
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The Hyundai Santa Fe’s exterior dimensions are:
The Hyundai Santa Fe’s boot space is:
All current generation Santa Fes are subject to a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’, though this varies slightly depending on the model you’re looking at - petrol and diesel models come in at £190 per year, while hybrids are £10 cheaper. If the car you’re looking at cost more than £40,000 brand new though, that bill goes up to £600 a year, or £590 for hybrids, and only returns to a lower rate from the car’s seventh year on the road.
The Hyundai Santa Fe range sits between insurance groups 22 and 40, depending on the model. These ratings aren’t unusual for a car in this class, so insuring a Santa Fe shouldn’t be appreciably more expensive than any of its rivals.
£58,445
£52,695
£26,495
£14,445
£48,450
£25,441
£47,403
£1,564 off£24,534
£732 off£23,930
£1,313 off£34,523
£800 off£48,892
£26,499
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How many Hyundai Santa Fe cars are available for sale?
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