Launch drive: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Elite AWD is a bold step into the future of SUVs

Whether we like it or not, New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) are an inevitable part of the motoring landscape. So whether it’s a full battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid, hybrid or mild hybrid, manufacturers are launching a myriad of options to the public.

They all have their strengths and weaknesses but for a country like South Africa, the hybrid option seems to make the most sense.

Hyundai, which has a number of award winning BEVs in their stable with models like the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 5 N, IONIQ 6 and Kona Electric as well as a couple of hybrids, are the latest manufacturer to come to the local party with the Santa Fe Hybrid Elite AWD.

It garnered the 2025 Women’s Car of the Year as well as the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) of the Year at the TopGear.com Awards.

Makeover

The Santa Fe has had a complete makeover and as part of the “Reimagined” strategy, Hyundai have dumped the cookie-cutter SUV look for a much bolder and boxier design.

It certainly stands out from the crowd and despite its shape, it has a drag coefficient of 0.29, thanks to the design of the side windows, under body covering, inset wheels and active front airflaps that open only when cooling is needed.

Power

Gone is the popular diesel option that's no longer fitted to the Santa Fe, and instead it gets a four-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo-charged petrol engine with 132kW and 265Nm that incorporates a starter generator in the transmission for smooth stop-start and electric to ICE adjustment. 

A 44.2kW and 264Nm electric motor is fitted on the front axle and the two combined provide 175kW and 367Nm with low speed electric driving and assisted ICE thrust that should provide fuel consumption of 6.6l/100km.

Power is sent to all four wheels via an automatic six-speed wet clutch torque converter.

Apart from the angular styling, the eye-catching front and rear H-shaped LED lights incorporate four dots that spell “H” in Morse code.

Interior

Inside, the seven-seater has acres of space for passengers including a double stacked centre console with two charging pads, synthetic leather and a large touchscreen display with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. By adjusting it to the desired setting, you can also see how power is transferred between ICE and electric and how the battery is regenerated.

A secondary screen below the air vents controls air conditioning settings, heated steering wheel and the front vented or heated seats (the second row of seats are heated too).

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides crisp readouts and displays all the necessary information.

How does it drive?

The gear shifter is mounted on the steering column and once you shift to Drive, the Santa Fe provides a really pleasant driving experience.

The paddles behind the steering wheel are to set the resistance for regenerative braking while you can toggle between Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart Modes, the latter adapting according to your driving style.

The hybrid powertrain is well-sorted and combines well to provide enough power to keep the Santa Fe cruising along nicely.

You’re not going to pull the skin off your face but it’s suitably balanced to provide an almost elegant experience behind the wheel.

The seating provides a commanding driver’s position, and with a lower ground clearance and wider stance, there’s little body roll and it feels well planted.

Upgraded suspension, including the bump stops fitted to the MacPherson front and multilink rear provide an effortless drive and it handled the many road imperfections out in the Cradle of Humankind roads with aplomb.

There’s very little in the way of road or wind noise at the national speed limit on the highways, thanks in part to the good insolation and specially designed side mirrors to deflect the air.  

Safety

There are a raft of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) including 360-View Monitor, Drive-Attention Warning, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Rear-Occupant Alert, Forward-Collision Avoidance Junction, adaptive cruise control as well as Lane-Follow Assist.

South Africans prefer their diesel engines when it comes to SUVs and MPVs and haven’t exactly embraced NEVs with great cheer, but the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Elite AWD provides a glimpse into what the future is likely to be in that segment.

It comes with a seven-year/200,000km warranty that includes coverage for the engine, transmission and other key drivetrain components. The hybrid battery pack is covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty.

Pricing (June 2025)

R1.249,900