Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 2024 review: Boxy new 7-seat SUV makes a statement against Toyota Kluger

If standing out from the crowd is your thing and you need a seven-seat family car, it's hard to go past the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. Styling-wise, there's no denying that the fifth-generation large SUV is unlike any of its predecessors, with it debuting a boxy exterior design that's sure to be remembered for decades to come.
But there's more to the new Santa Fe than it's divisive looks, as it also marks a significant shift for the series in Australia, with a 'self-charging' hybrid - a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor - the only powertrain option available from launch, although a petrol engine will join the range later this year, but it'll be a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder instead of the previous 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6.
In this expert review, CarsGuide Senior Journalist Tom White attends the new Santa Fe's local media launch to find out if it's blown the well-established Toyota Kluger Hybrid out of the proverbial water.
#Hyundai #SantaFe #Review
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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:21 Pricing and features
02:14 Design
05:08 Practicality
09:57 Under the bonnet
10:53 Driving
14:45 Efficiency
15:23 Safety
16:07 Ownership
16:24 Verdict
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Read Tom’s full review: bit.ly/4c4LXSc
Check out our Hyundai Santa Fe hub: bit.ly/3Ve66hJ
Find more SUVs: bit.ly/3mXXb6P
Visit our EV Guide: bit.ly/3DjhPTX
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[@jasonbrown3646]

I saw a blacked out one the other day I love it. That strong back end is strangely appealing.

[@cybertroy2]

I saw a blacked one too yesterday. It looked so good. I had to come Google what model it was.

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

It's fine to run with a theme, but the ''H'' thing is way over done, the trick is knowing when to stop...
Memories of that awful oval Ford Taurus thing where the design guys were handed a tray of Ford logos and told to trace around them and make a car..

[@lamborghini0610]

Lovely interior but that rear end is horrendous.

[@user-ur3oc5fy4o]

Too functional to be adjusted yet. It will come to my mind some day.

[@camilacastro3539]

I came here initially just to check the car, which is great, but I’m more interested in the driver now 😂

[@simonedge42]

Hanging out for the XRT when it makes its way over

[@JJC2611]

Good review. Thanks.

[@harmansaroa8055]

I must say, hyundai nailed it in terms of storage, use of space, family features and looks.
The rear design also looks better in person than pics, but those rear indicators are located dangerously low.
If ANCAP are serious about safety, then they should also focus on correct placement of lights and indicators rather than going gaga over the super-intrusive beeping stuff , that most of the drivers just want to turn off .

[@netsiteing]

those rear lights should be at the level where SANTA FE letters are and it would look more balanced and beefy ... but these low lights just make it look off

[@cybertroy2]

The front is exquisite design and major upgrade. The back is absolutely hedious and looks like a car from the 80s and not in a good way.

[@user-wg6mf8hp5n]

Looks like a good one for family

[@TaufiqueAmmangi]

Sir pls suggest cars which is sedan coupe with 4 cylinder turbo and satisfactory features included

[@tonyc.5381]

no diesel - no way !
it might be neat to drive around town but towing - nope, country driving - nope

[@JimmyjimmyJimmyjimmy-ih3yd]

628 litre rear is disappointing considering the boxy rear design.

[@Barra.The.World.]

Yep now Hyundai just reckons they can make anything with any design, yeah they can but what the heck

[@kelvpoon]

PHEV?? Any?

[@stephen1991]

I don't think we'll see them, at least thish model year. I'm not sure why, it was popular on past models.

[@cybermatstrikes7557]

The back is ugly, what is going on in the Hyundai design department.

[@kennethprocak5176]

Take out the digital displays and that is 2008 Land Rover

[@bendutton]

The reliability of this is 2088 Land rover though.

[@leapingdeer7880]

It's like they stuck a range rover front and a mini van back together and went abra cadabra 😂 I like the interior and the features and the back seats but the back of the exterior is ugly

[@che00535]

It will be good to make it under GENESIS brand than hyundai.

[@localguy123]

Apart from the backend ugliness, its a great car. This will be my next purchase.

[@jimmy.christian]

Damn u hyundai why not bring the diesel back

[@kennethprocak5176]

The one thing that hits you in the face with exterior is the sheet metal is flat and it looks like a van. I had a Range Rover add pop up while watching and l changed my mind it doesn’t not look like a disco 4, this looks yuck. 🤮

[@chrissydney5451]

Looks like something a wheelchair would go into the back of!

[@bendutton]

I stopped watching when he said "it is still a hyundai" keep your preferences and biases to yourself mate lost objectivity from this point on. i unsubscribed too i miss the other reviewers. Just do the job. If you love the poverty pack entry level Audi A1, i don't need to know that.

[@user-wx8hj8kk6s]

Every maker do better interior looking than Toyota buy pay less.

[@snoopy13946]

Bit too ugly for me

[@lukuscannon9697]

It's so ugly lol these car designs are losing touch with human reality people are so obsessed with luxurious everything. It's just so boring Just my opinion though