The Santa Fe delivers impressive acceleration and fuel efficiency as well as luxurious accommodations at a price that undercuts most of the competition. A spacious cabin and a smooth ride quality are also highlights.
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.
Pros
Lots of standard features for the money
Smooth-operating advanced driver aids
Quick acceleration from available turbocharged 2.5-liter engine
Long warranty
Cons
Overly soft suspension dilutes driver enjoyment
10.25-inch touchscreen can be a bit slow to respond
What's new
Last year's SEL Convenience package has been discontinued
Minor shuffling of features within trims
Part of the fourth Santa Fe generation introduced for 2019
Overview
The Hyundai Santa Fe has always been a popular and well-regarded midsize SUV, but up until a couple of years ago, it was fairly bland. That changed in 2021 when Hyundai gave the Santa Fe a new grille and a refreshed interior design. It's not as distinctive-looking as its smaller sibling, the more angular Hyundai Tucson, but it's a spacious and attractive crossover you won't mind driving.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Buying a Santa Fe brings a lot of features for the money and pleasing acceleration if you opt for the available turbocharged engine. But there are some rivals you'll also want to consider, such as the Honda Passport, Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. To see if the Santa Fe strikes the right balance for your life, check the feedback in our test team's Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
7.7
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Santa Fe delivers impressive acceleration and fuel efficiency as well as luxurious accommodations at a price that undercuts most of the competition. A spacious cabin and a smooth ride quality are also highlights.
How does the Santa Fe drive? We tested the Santa Fe with the 277-horsepower turbocharged engine. It's pretty potent and our test vehicle covered 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, which is quicker than most other small and midsize SUVs. However, if you aren't asking for maximum speed, its power delivery is a bit inconsistent and unrefined. Hyundai seems to have tuned the eight-speed automatic transmission to get up to its highest gears as quickly as possible, which can also be off-putting.
The Santa Fe leans a lot as you go around turns, so it's definitely not as planted as a Mazda CX-5. This is an SUV for highway cruising, not sporty driving. But the Santa Fe's steering is pleasantly tuned, making for easy low-speed maneuverability and decent highway stability.
Comfort
8.0/10
How comfortable is the Santa Fe? The Santa Fe's suspension soaks up most bumps and road impacts, but the ride can sometimes feel a little too soft and wallowy. But the front seats are very comfortable and have a broad range of adjustments and available heating and ventilation. The rear seats are also comfortable and have lots of recline adjustment, though we'd prefer thicker padding on the door armrests.
The Santa Fe has excellent cabin insulation thanks to dual-pane front windows and comprehensive sound deadening. Wind, road and ambient noise is very much kept at bay. The climate controls are easy to adjust and do a great job of keeping cabin temperatures pleasant.
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How’s the interior? The Santa Fe's interior quarters are relatively spacious, especially in legroom. The available panoramic sunroof does eat into headroom in both rows, but the rear seat's ability to recline generously serves to off-set that. All controls are laid out well and within easy reach, and the most often-used controls are real buttons and knobs.
The large door openings make it easy to get in and out, and both front and rear rows offer plenty of space and legroom. Visibility is good too, with a decent-size rear window and very little obstruction from the rear headrests. The door-mounted sideview mirrors help you avoid blind spots, and the optional surround-view camera system makes parking a breeze.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? Our test vehicle had the optional 10.25-inch screen. Unfortunately, we found it slow to respond to our inputs at times, and its graphics aren't particularly eye-catching. The Santa Fe's premium audio system produces accurate sound and plenty of volume, but it isn't as fully immersive as we'd like it to be. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included, though CarPlay only uses about two-thirds of the 10.25-inch screen.
The wireless charger is a spring-loaded slot that saves space but could also easily swallow loose coins and other small objects that might be hard to fish out. There are plenty of power and USB ports.
Hyundai's advanced driver aids are some of the best around. The adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist work smoothly and ease the stress of rush-hour traffic. The blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation also work pretty well, but some drivers might find them to be a little too sensitive.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The Santa Fe's cargo space is decently roomy (36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats) and has some helpful underfloor bins. Remote seat releases allow you to drop down the second-row seats from the rear of the vehicle and at the rear passenger doors. This is a very smart use of space and allows for storage of the cargo cover as well.
There's a pleasing amount of space for personal items in the cabin. Hyundai's electronic gear selector frees up a sizable space underneath the center console. The cupholders have good anti-tip design and there's usable space in the armrest bin as well as in and around the glovebox. The maximum towing capacity for the Santa Fe is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. That's better than many small SUVs but not as much as bigger SUVs such as the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport can pull.
Got small children? There's plenty of room for child safety seats, and the anchor points are reasonably accessible.
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says the Santa Fe with the upgraded turbo engine and all-wheel drive gets 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway). We achieved 27.3 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation test route, which is a strong indication that the Santa Fe can meet the EPA estimates. This is impressive given the power output of the Santa Fe's engine — it outperforms some competitors with V6 engines.
Value
8.5/10
Is the Santa Fe a good value? On a price-per-feature basis, the Santa Fe remains an excellent choice. The quality of materials and design are standouts even if a few small areas, particularly thinly padded door armrests, aren't perfect. But even the top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim level undercuts similarly equipped competitors yet offers a powertrain that is both quicker and more efficient.
Hyundai's five-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties are industry-leading, and the automaker has added three years of free scheduled maintenance. Value continues to be a strong appeal of all Hyundai vehicles.
Wildcard
7.0/10
The Santa Fe does well at its intended purpose: comfortably hauling people and giving you lots of value. But it isn't particularly fun to drive, even with the upgraded turbo engine, and the latest styling update makes it seem like Hyundai is trying a little too hard to make its vehicles stand out.
Which Santa Fe does Edmunds recommend?
We recommend stepping into the SEL trim as it adds more than a few nice-to-have features without adding too much to the bottom line. On top of that, it's eligible for the optional Premium package that adds a host of luxury and tech upgrades.
Hyundai Santa Fe models
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is a five-passenger SUV available in five main trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited and Calligraphy. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all Santa Fe trims. Note that there's also the Santa Fe Hybrid and Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid, which are reviewed separately on Edmunds. Here's what you get on the regular Santa Fe:
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
The only reason I gave this review a one star is that I am totally disappointed with the horrible vibration issues....I'm the 1 month owner of this 2023 vehicle and I have been back to the dealer 4 times....they have replaced tires..another front end alignment...another balancing of tires. .and test drove another brand new one...and still had the same vibration Issues....it is even … worse for anyone sitting in the rear of the vehicle.....otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.. ..beautiful interior....very luxurious interior and exterior...but the horrible vibration cancels out all the great review of this beautiful vehicle...
Couldn't love my '23 Santa Fe Calligraphy more!
5 out of 5 stars
M. Smith, 12/29/2022
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
I purchased my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy in mid December 2022. I bargained the dealer down to "only" about $2,000 over msrp. (They originally wanted $12,000 over!). Even at that price it's definitely a bargain over any other luxury SUVs I've been exposed to. This car has virtually EVERY feature offered on much higher priced SUVs. Every driver assistance short of autonomous … driving. Top of the line navigation, even (in HD radio areas) gas prices and doppler radar. Great customizable dash. Part of driver's pod changes to blind spot view when turn signals are used. I also highly recommend the upgrade to Calligraphy trim which gives you the higher hp 2.5 4 cillinder turbo. The non turbo seems very underpowered for this sized SUV. The turbo is great. Set fantastic adaptive cruise at 89 mph (Utah) and even on the steepest hills did not go down even 1 mph. The 8 gear transmission makes acceleration from 60 to 80 for passing crazy fast. The adaptive cruise will take it to a complete stop and then go back up to set speed. Heads up display is perfect. Seems to float out over the hood. Shows speed, cruise set speed, next navigation turn & distance, lane assist indicator, even flashes the song being played on the media player. Top of the line sound system. Every type of media input. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats. Gigantic panoramic sun/moon roof. It can be parked or pulled out of a std parking space (non parallel parking) from the key fob. Really neet and impressive, but not really too useful. Rear door opens automatically after standing behind it for about 5 seconds. However, I have turned that feature off because it does so when not wanted. It will try and pin you against a wall! Unbeatable warranty. Can choose to auto stop/start engine and can have the break automatically hold a stop without keeping it pressed until the accelerator is pressed. All windows auto down, up. Great cameras, including the "birds eye" view. LOVE THIS CAR!!! Now, after 6 months of ownership, I only have a few quibbles... They should absolutely forget the dual-clutch transmission! NOT needed for this car! Unless you use the "Auto Hold" feature, it will roll back into following traffic after you start up on a hill between when you release the brake and step on the accelerator. Better be quick, or engage the Auto Hold feature each time you get in the car. Its like being in neutral until you press the accelerator. The auto stop/start is also very annoying. For a split second, every time you press the accelerator after a stop, you're not sure if you are going to be stranded in front of traffic. I, and MANY other drivers push the button to turn it off each time we start the car. It defaults to "On". Also be aware, there is no spare, just a can of "Fix a Flat"!! BUT, after saying all that, I still LOVE everything else about the car!!!! Best car for my wife and me I have ever owned. Hyundai.... just fix 2-3 things and it will be perfect!!!
It’s all that plus some
4 out of 5 stars
SMOTU, 04/18/2023
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
I just sold my 2013 Santa Fe Turbo 2.0 and bought a red Santa Fe Limited. I love this vehicle. I’ve only had it for two weeks, so these are only my first impressions. I’ll start with the negative as there aren’t many.
There’s no sunglasses holder. My 2013 had a purpose made little holder above the rear view mirror. Loved it! Just pushed it a little and it would open and shaped just … perfectly for sunglasses. The 2023 has nothing. As a matter of fact, the storage bin between the seats is smaller than my 2013’s and my sunglasses have to sit diagonally in the little top removable shelf. The bin below is also smaller than my 2013’s, but certainly spacious enough for most of your junk.
The wireless charger doesn’t work. And my phone won’t sit in it straight up and down either. This could be a one off and I’m going back to the dealer when I get time, but my sales rep did tell me that it was an issue. So we shall see.
The good news is that there is a storage space under the console due to the push button shifter which not only is fairly large, it has power outlets. So I have my charging cord plugged in down there and I can snake the wire up to the console area and charge my phone the old fashioned way.
Speaking of storage, due to the design there’s just less of it than in my 2013 around the driver. I loved the design of my 2013 and all the storage cubbies and placement of them. This 2023 only has the between the seats bin and the good sized cubby under the console.
However, there is a very nice feature on the passengers side. There’s a shelf built in across the top of the glove box. It’s partially recessed with a lip and a rubberized top and it’s just perfect for my fiancés cell phone and other little stuff.
The only other disappointment is the standard stereo on the Limited. It’s better than the one on my 2013, but not by much. I was hoping for a much more immersive sound and I keep tinkering with it to try to get the sound quality I’m looking for (should I say listening for 🤔). The stereo is good but seems to be somewhat lacking. Maybe I’ll get it tuned better later on.
And that’s it for the negatives! This is really one heck of a ride and so far I’m blown away by it.
I’m a short, 5’6”, older (68) fat guy. I chose the 2013 in large part because the seats were so comfortable. Fast forward ten years and I’m probably a little shorter and definitely fatter. This vehicle is extremely comfortable for my size and fits me perfectly. It accommodates my fat butt and is a joy to sit in. So if you’re short and fat, this is a winner.
I specifically wanted the turbo and my oh my, it is quick. Much more powerful than my 2013 2.0 turbo, but with about the same horsepower. This has more torque and pushes you back into your seat. It can fly! And when you dial it in to sport mode, it completely changes the personality of the vehicle and it reacts much more quickly and the steering tightens up and it’s a hoot to drive. 👍😎. Haven’t even used the paddle shifters yet, but they’re there.
So far, on my one short one hour highway trip, so two hour round trip, I got 28 mpg! That’s better than the 2013 by 2 or 3 mpg with the extra power. Around town (Dallas), l’m getting 24 mpg. So far, so good!
I’m still trying to get used to all the tech, and this has just about everything. The adaptive cruise control works great as does the lane assist. The lane assist is not too intrusive but is occasionally annoying, but I can turn it off if I want to.
I love the blind spot camera views on the dash when you turn on the turn signals. What a great feature. Also love the blind spot monitoring and the cross traffic monitoring with the mitigation feature. It beeps and will brake if a car is coming.
There’s a lot of beeps and tugs on the wheel and camera views popping up, but I’ll get used to them. I’m counting on this to save my fat butt as least once with all these bells and whistles as I get older 😉.
So there you have it for now. I’m sure I will update this at some point. But if you’re in the market, I highly recommend the turbo version of the Santa Fe. It’s fast, drives like a dream, is supremely comfortable and gets really good gas mileage considering the power.
It’s mainly just me 90% of the time or me and my fiancé. We wanted something fast and somewhat sporty (okay, I did, she couldn’t care less), but also some utility for weekend Home Depot runs and loading up for vacations. Roxy (did I mention I named her Roxy?), fits the bill. She’s really, really, really a nice ride. I’m counting on her to get me to my dotage 😉 when they take the keys away from me.
Put it on your short list. I think you’ll be impressed.
Absolutely love it!
5 out of 5 stars
Zira , 05/04/2023
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)
I had my heart set on a Subaru Outback and after much research and a test drive, I determined that I should probably have a look around at other options. Hyundai is not a brand I'm familiar with, I have driven Volkswagens my entire life. I took a chance and headed over to a dealership to check out a 2023 Santa Fe SEL. After test driving and seeing that it had all the same amenities as … the Outback, minus a sunroof which is no big deal, I discovered it had a better warranty and was much more affordable for me. The ride was so smooth and the steering felt sturdy and solid. It ended up being the perfect size for me, I don't have any kids or dogs, I just wanted something comfortable for my daily commute. The navigation, wireless phone charging and remote start was a pleasant surprise as well as the standard sound system which ain't half bad. I am thrilled with my purchase!
With a comfortable, well-appointed interior and excellent fuel efficiency, the Venza is one of our favorites in the segment. All-wheel drive is standard. So are a host of advanced driver aids and useful tech features. Compared to the Santa Fe, the Venza doesn't offer as much interior room and comes only as a hybrid.
Thanks to its standard all-wheel drive and ample ground clearance, the Outback is a favorite of buyers looking for a rugged and practical midsize SUV. The Outback also boasts a wide variety of advanced safety features as standard. The Santa Fe offers a bit more polish and refinement than the Subaru, as well as a longer warranty and more efficient engine options.
Based on the larger three-row Atlas, the Atlas Cross sport has inherited all of the clean styling and confident handling of its slightly bigger sibling. But the Cross Sport is saddled with two underwhelming engines that offer little in the way of performance or efficiency. The Santa Fe comes with a more appealing selection of engines and a longer warranty.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has always been a popular and well-regarded midsize SUV, but up until a couple of years ago, it was fairly bland. That changed in 2021, when Hyundai gussied up the Santa Fe with a gawping new grille and a trendy interior refresh. The result is a spacious crossover that stands out from the crowd and also offers the utility you'd expect of a vehicle this size.
Considering it enjoyed a major refresh just a few years ago — along with the rugged XRT and plug-in hybrid variants introduced for 2022 — we don't expect any major changes for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. We might see expanded availability of the optional turbocharged engine outside of the high-end Limited and Calligraphy models, but that's about it. Otherwise, the Hyundai Santa Fe continues to be a strong contender against other midsize crossovers including the Honda Passport, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Toyota Venza.
Edmunds says
With a luxurious, spacious interior, and wide variety of trims and powertrains, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offers something for everyone.
FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Santa Fe both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Santa Fe gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 79 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Santa Fe has 36.4 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai Santa Fe. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe:
Last year's SEL Convenience package has been discontinued
Minor shuffling of features within trims
Part of the fourth Santa Fe generation introduced for 2019
To determine whether the Hyundai Santa Fe is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Santa Fe. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Santa Fe's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Santa Fe and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Santa Fe gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 79 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Santa Fe is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The least-expensive 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,750.
Other versions include:
SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $28,750
SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $30,450
SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $32,450
SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $34,150
XRT 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $34,250
XRT 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $35,950
Limited 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $40,600
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $42,300
Calligraphy 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $42,600
Calligraphy 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $44,300
What are the different models of Hyundai Santa Fe?
If you're interested in the Hyundai Santa Fe, the next question is, which Santa Fe model is right for you? Santa Fe variants include SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A), SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A), SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A), and SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A). For a full list of Santa Fe models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more