Hyundai Santa Fe (2018 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a large seven-seat SUV that sits above the Tucson and Kona in the Hyundai family. The current model is the fourth generation, and was launched at the 2018 Geneva motor show before going on sale in the UK later in the year.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has received generally good reviews from the UK motoring media, and its overall Expert Rating of 66% (as of January 2022) is competitive in the large SUV sector.
It has received particular praise for its generous level of standard equipment and large boot, while it has been criticised for being more expensive than expected.
A facelifted Santa Fe arrived in the UK in Spring 2021. As part of the update, the diesel engine was dropped in favour of a petrol/electric hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Styling was updated both inside and out, while some extra tech equipment was added.
Key specifications
Body style: Large SUV/crossoverEngines: Hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £40,250 on-road
Launched: Summer 2018Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Hyundai Santa Fe (2021 onwards)
Hyundai Santa Fe (2018 – 2020)
Hyundai Santa Fe (2021 onwards)
Hyundai Santa Fe (2018 – 2020)
Hyundai Santa Fe (2021 onwards)
Hyundai Santa Fe (2018 – 2020)
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“The Hyundai Santa Fe is a practical, well-built family SUV with seven seats and loads of standard equipment.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6.6 / 10“The Hyundai Santa Fe gives buyers the style and the high driving position they want, along with the practicality, comfort and versatility they need. It can’t quite match the very finest seven-seat SUVs on offer, but it is a very solid all-rounder and worthy of any family’s consideration.”
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Autocar
Score: 7 / 10“Well-priced and generously equipped, the Santa Fe has plenty of bases covered. But it needs to make greater strides to gain ground in a crowded European SUV market.”
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Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel PremiumScore: 8 / 10“Hyundai’s fourth-generation large SUV has grown in size, increased in luxury and even has a little agility among its new talents.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Plug-in Hybrid rangeScore: 8 / 10“While the new Tucson PHEV is targeting the bulk of middle management user choosers, the Santa Fe could be a shrewd alternative for those who are prepared to give up the cache of a premium badge for better value and versatility.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6 / 10“It’s more practical than ever with a far smarter look, all the safety kit modern family buyers will want and doesn’t drive badly either.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.4 / 10“The Hyundai Santa Fe is a capable seven-seat family SUV that performs well across the board, but doesn’t excel in any specific area.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Hyundai Santa Fe is a large seven-seat family car that comes with a decent amount of equipment, but alternatives are more practical and have a wider range of engines.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel Premium SE“The Hyundai Santa Fe is a pleasant and sensible workhorse, but this top-end model is far from cheap, and the high CO2 makes running costs harder to justify.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“You could save a lot of money and buy a Skoda Kodiaq, but the Hyundai Santa Fe is a luxurious choice and comes with a lot of standard equipment. It’s comfortable and extremely practical, making it that little bit easier to justify.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 10 / 10“The latest Hyundai Santa Fe represents a huge amount of progress over its predecessor. No longer is it just good ‘for the money’, it’s now a top-drawer SUV in its own right, easily worthy of taking on the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Land Rover Discovery Sport.”
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Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Premium SE“It’s impossible to persuade Audi aficionados out of their status symbols, especially when their companies are paying for their cars. But anyone else really needs to take a drive in a new Hyundai Santa Fe before they commit to another big, luxurious £40k plus SUV.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8.4 / 10“Seven-seat SUV adds quality, space and kit over predecessor.”
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The Sun
“The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe blends French sophistication with an upmarket feel.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.6-lite petrol/electric hybrid UltimateScore: 6 / 10“Forget status symbols, the Hyundai Santa Fe makes a compelling case – although this top-spec version isn’t the best value in the range. Choose the right model, and the Santa Fe is a sound, sensible seven-seat SUV for those who seek practicality and peace of mind.”
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Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automaticScore: 6 / 10“It is OK to drive and does the job as a seven-seat SUV, but a small boot and so-so versatility mean others do it better. Priced up against premium rivals, too, which means you’ll have to pay for the privilege – really, it’s hard to work out why you’d want to.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7 / 10“Has the makings of a great family car, if lacking a little excitement.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“There’s loads to like about the Hyundai Santa Fe, namely its big boot, seven-seat practicality and impressive roster of standard equipment. However, no matter whether you’re paying cash, signing up to a PCP deal or running one as a company car, it isn’t quite the value option you might expect.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview“Extremely spacious Best Buy.” Rated BEST BUY.
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Safety rating
Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2018
94%
ADULT OCCUPANT
88%
CHILD OCCUPANT
67%
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
76%
SAFETY ASSIST
Read full Euro NCAP review
Eco rating
No eco rating
As of January 2022, the Hyundai Santa Fe has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Hyundai Santa Fe has received
2022
- What Car? Awards – Best Large SUV
2019
- Parkers Awards – Best seven-seater
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Hyundai Santa Fe, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Honda CR-V | Kia Sorento | Land Rover Discovery Sport | Mitsubishi Outlander | Nissan X-Trail | Peugeot 5008 | SEAT Tarraco | Skoda Kodiaq | SsangYong Rexton | Subaru Forester | Suzuki Across | Toyota RAV4 | Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
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Keyword: Hyundai Santa Fe