2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Selling the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid in the USA makes a lot of sense, since a mid-size SUV is such a popular type of car here and because it has enough space for hybrid hardware under the floor. As the first hybrid crossover Hyundai sold locally, this electrified Santa Fe has been around since the 2021 model year. Its strong suits remain its high level of standard features, generous warranty cover, and three-row SUV practicality, while every safety review of the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid ranks it right at the top of its class too. But it's starting to lag in terms of gas mileage and the driving experience, especially against rivals such as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and brand-new Mazda CX-90 Hybrid. Other competition comes from within the house in the form of the Kia Sorento Hybrid. With 226 horsepower on tap from the HEV and 261 hp from the PHEV, performance is only just adequate too. Now it's back for a final outing before redesigned new Hyundai Santa Fe gas and hybrid SUVs arrive for 2024. It brings minimal changes, restricted to reshuffled equipment and paint colors, so is that going to be enough to earn it a recommendation?

The price of the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Blue trim is $36,210, followed by the SEL Premium at $40,070 and the Limited at $41,870. As for the PHEV lineup, the SEL Convenience will cost you $42,410 and the Limited, $47,670. These prices for the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid are all MSRP and the destination fee adds another $1,335. In light of the updated federal tax credit regulations for PHEVs, the Santa Fe PHEV no longer qualifies for the $6,587 credit it did last year, so its total cost is significantly more than it was.

Much like its Kia Sorento relative, there isn't much excitement to be had piloting the Santa Fe and its driving manners can best be described as inoffensive and agreeable. It's not as ponderous as other SUVs and is agile enough to get out of its own way when tackling corners, but it's less fun to drive than a Honda Passport or Mazda CX-90, if that sort of thing matters to you in an SUV. More importantly for its target market, it rides comfortably enough and offers a refined highway ride, sometimes lapsing into a little float and wallow, along with moderate lean when cornering with enthusiasm. It's quiet on the move and the hybrid powertrain is smooth and unobtrusive, matching the Santa Fe's temperament. It's not quick but the hybrid assistance means it's nicely responsive at low speeds, while the regenerative braking is blended in smoothly. The six-speed auto 'box successfully recedes into the background as it goes about its duties.

Just because the Santa Fe Hybrid fails to thrill in any discipline, it doesn't mean it should be dismissed, even if it's now in its final model year and getting on a bit. It doesn't have any glaring faults and it's at most average in terms of economy and the driving experience in this class - and definitely not bad. It has a superb warranty, is well-built, and is roomy and practical, so it does all the things expected of a mid-size SUV. The PHEV offers a genuinely useful all-electric range of over 30 miles, but keep in mind that the little 90-hp electric motor moves the car around slowly and it takes a lot of patience to drive around in EV mode. This detracts from its appeal and reminds you that it's not a proper EV, making us gravitate towards the better-rounded HEV, which is still a great buy even today, and offers the same performance as the PHEV.

In terms of powertrain, the HEV is around $6k cheaper than a similar PHEV trim and we don't believe the PHEV's all-electric range is worth that unless you are going to use it every day and diligently plug it in at night. Even then, the slow all-electric progress due to the small electric motor will be irritating. For us, the HEV SEL Premium is the best buy in the lineup. It's even better this year with all the additional equipment added to the 2023 model and with big-ticket items such as 19-inch alloys, a sunroof, surround- and blind-spot-view monitors, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system all standard, it has everything you need and nothing you don't.