2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai is one of the market leaders when it comes to offering sheer value from its cars, and the new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, now in its fourth generation, is one of the company's best buys. The Santa Fe is a midsize crossover SUV that offers the same level of refinement and luxury as compact European rivals. A review of the Hyundai Santa Fe's competitors will show that they offer more performance, and its base engine might not feel as refined as those of its European rivals, but the turbocharged 2.5-liter unit with its 281 horsepower feels plucky enough for US roads. Hyundai also offers a 226-hp hybrid or 261-hp plug-in hybrid for the eco-warriors, so the Santa Fe has all the bases covered. The interior is stylish, the build quality is on point, and the Sante Fe is ready to keep competitors such as the Honda Passport and Kia Sorento on their toes.

The entry-level SE has an MSRP of $28,200, increasing to $31,900 for the SEL. The new Hyundai Santa Fe will cost $33,700 in flashy XRT guise. The Limited trim represents a giant leap in pricing, retailing for $40,050. A top-spec Calligraphy will cost you $42,050. Adding AWD is an additional $1,700 on all models.

Hybrid models all come standard with AWD; the base Blue costs $34,300, while the SEL Premium goes for $38,360. In Limited trim, the hybrid retails for $40,710. Finally, the plug-in hybrid costs $40,000 for the SEL Convenience and $46,010 for the top-end Limited.

All 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe models are subject to a destination charge of $1,295 in the USA.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is not, and never will be, a sporty driving machine. This car has been designed to transport families in refined comfort and to make driving in the city an easy chore. The Santa Fe delivers on both those points: in the city, the Santa Fe feels responsive, and its light steering system makes cutting sharp corners easy but also manages to return a fair bit of feedback. On the highway, this SUV feels planted and will gobble up long-distance miles with a smile. It cannot be labeled as being fun, but its ride comfort, handling, and steering feedback strike a sound balance that should keep most drivers happy. For a sportier experience, the Honda Passport still has it licked though. The base engine offers sedate performance and isn't the most refined, but the turbocharged engine is pleasingly punchy, even if its autobox can occasionally not make up its mind. The Santa Fe isn't exactly off-road ready but will easily handle dirt tracks, even in FWD configuration, and the braking system feels strong and direct, on or off the beaten path.

The Hyundai Santa Fe isn't a bad car, but in the massively competitive midsize SUV class, you need to be more than just okay to stand out. The fourth-generation Santa Fe has been around since 2018, and while it still feels quite fresh, other newer competitors outdo it. Cars such as the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride offer more space for more or less the same money, and Kia's Sorento is newer. Let's not even get started with the plethora of excellent fighters from Japan, including the refined Mazda CX-5. At the end of the day, this is a safe bet, but the Santa Fe will not excite or inspire; it will merely serve.

The Limited models are the most appealing. With the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, it costs $40,050, while the hybrid retails for $40,710. Since the Santa Fe isn't a serious off-roader, we'd go the hybrid route. The 33/30/32 mpg claimed fuel consumption is just too good to ignore. The FWD ICE model is more than capable unless you live in a cold-weather state and need the extra grip provided by the AWD system. We know the MSRP is high compared to some rivals, but the top-spec models come with everything included already. All you need to do is select a color and, for a total of $41,345 (or $42,005 for the hybrid), you're good to go.