It’s been about a year since the Santa Fe’s bold new look hit the streets, and while the shock of its boxy design has worn off a little, people still have strong opinions about it. Love it or hate it, the Santa Fe nails the family SUV formula with three rows of seating for seven, tons of cargo space, and a wide tailgate that makes loading up easy. Under the hood, a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, handles the heavy lifting. Managing a very respectable 35 mpg in the city. With a Sport mode to allow for passable acceleration.
Inside, you get a sleek, tech-forward cabin that balances style with plenty of practical touches, and the ride itself is tuned for comfort over sporty thrills. In a sea of mid-size SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, the Santa Fe takes a big, boxy style risk that makes it stand out—without losing sight of what families actually need day to day. How effective this polarizing design is at helping the Santa Fe find success, or completely self-sabotage, is entirely up to the individuals personal preference. One thing is for sure though, it definitely doesn’t blend in with the overpacked SUV crowd.
Step inside the new Santa Fe and the “big and boxy” theme doesn’t stop at the exterior. Aside from the steering wheel and a couple of knobs, everything inside is shaped by bold rectangles and hard right angles. The off-roady XRT trim especially leans into that rugged, Defender-inspired vibe. Up front, there are storage spots everywhere—perfect for the chaos of a long family road trip. You’ll even find an optional dual wireless charger that can power two phones at once. The most surprising discovery being that they actually work almost every single time you go to use them! There’s also a handy pass-through cubby under the console that’s big enough for a purse or backpack. The doors get oversized bins, too. Smart storage can be found literally everywhere. While the interior might be describe in a similar way as the exterior, it’s softened and far more restrained, bringing a level of sophistication and luxury that will be sure to impress most.
In the back, both the second and third rows fold flat, and rear passengers even get their own climate knob to keep things comfortable. The third row isn’t as roomy as what you’d get in a bigger Palisade, but it’s totally fine for kids or smaller adults. Cargo space is no joke either—14.6 cubic feet behind the third row. With room for scores of luggage, school bags, sports gear, etc.
As the Hyundai Santa Fe underwent a complete refresh in 2024, there isn’t much new for 2025 except for the addition of an Atlantis Blue exterior finish. The Calligraphy trim continues to be the top of the line offering for the Santa Fe and delivers a flurry of enticing upgrades. On the outside, you’ll get stunning 21” dark-finish alloy wheels, black body-colored cladding and chrome accents. On the inside you’ll find Premium Nappa leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, a heads-up display and special ambient lighting. Tech upgrades include a 360-degree camera system, remote smart parking assistance, highway drive assist and more. My model came in a beautiful Earthy Brass matte color. A great look since matte finishes are having a major moment right now.
In summary, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid might split opinions with its controversial, high-concept design, but there’s no denying its strengths. As a family SUV, it is quiet, comfortable, convenient and reliable. In the Calligraphy trim especially, it’s interior is luxurious, spacious, full or smart storage, smart tech and tons of cargo space. Every square inch feels intentionally designed to put family first, making a daily run for soccer practice, a cross-country road trip to visit grandma in Maine, and every excursion in-between feel effortless and easy.
Price as tested: $51,675.00
