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I drove Hyundai's rugged new $40,000 family SUV. It's packed with useful tech but rough around the edges
I drove Hyundai's rugged new $40,000 family SUV. It's packed with useful tech but rough around the edges
Benjamin ZhangJun 18, 2024, 03:52 IST
A 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was a blast to drive — and is a great choice for those who need a three-row SUV.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a three-row mid-size family SUV that's all-new 2024.
I enjoyed its rugged looks, strong tech content, and functional interior.
Hyundai's lineup of crossovers and SUVs is pretty extensive these days, running from the subcompact Venue and Kona at the bottom to the range-topping Palisade, with the top-selling Tuscon sitting squarely in the middle.
But that's not all.
Squeezed in between the compact Tucson and the midsize Palisade is the Santa Fe.
In years past, the SUV offered consumers a stylish midsize crossover for those who wanted something bigger than the Tucson but without the Palisade's third-row (or higher price tag.)
In 2024, however, it got a major makeover featuring rugged looks, new tech, and room for seven passengers. The new model bears zero resemblance to its predecessor. If this were an episode of the Maury Show, there would have to be a paternity test.
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I recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe in the new rugged XRT trim.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
My test car clocked in at $42,205.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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The new Santa Fe makes functionality stylish.
The new Santa Fe is bigger and more aggressive. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
Up front, the Santa Fe's is equipped with H-shaped LED daytime running lights.
These H-shaped running lights are a not-so-subtle reminder of who made this vehicle.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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The front bumper is equipped with a set of active air flaps.
The active air flaps.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The H-shape theme extends to the back with liftgate-mounted tail lights.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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In addition to blacked-out trim, front grille, and wheels, XRT-grade Santa Fes also get 18-inch Continental all-terrain tires.
The Santa Fe XRT's black 18-inch wheels.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The new Santa Fe is 6 inches shorter than the Palisade.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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Under the hood, it has a 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The Santa Fe XRT's 2.5 liter, turbocharged four.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
All-wheel-drive is useful for poor road conditions or off-roading.
HTRAC all-wheel-drive is an $1,800 option on other trim levels.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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The Santa Fe was pleasant to drive but needs work to correct its lackadaisical power delivery.
The Santa Fe's front seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
Inside the cabin, the Santa Fe XRT is all business.
The front dash.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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In front of the driver is a new leather-wrapped steering wheel unique to the Santa Fe.
The steering wheel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
In front of the driver is a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument display.
The digital instrument display.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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The shifter is weird but oddly intuitive.
The Santa Fe's shifter.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
Moving the shifter to the steering column opens up the center console.
The Santa Fe's center console.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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Under the armrest at the back of the center console is a drawer that pulls out for rear cabin storage.
A useful storage drawer.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
Like in other Hyundai products these days, the focal point of the front dash is a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
The Santa Fe's infotainment screen.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
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Below the infotainment screen on the dash in a small touchscreen for the climate control.