South Korean automakers comparable to Kia and Hyundai have come a good distance since their humble beginnings in creating economic system automobiles and SUVs. At present, each manufacturers end up a few of the most well-rounded and well-equipped examples available on the market, and this mannequin made by Hyundai is one of the best all-rounder three-row hybrid SUV you should purchase from a South Korean model in 2025.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid boasts three rows of spacious seating, a cost-effective hybrid engine, a very good quantity of cupboard space, a techy cabin, and oodles of consolation options. We’re having a look at why it’s the most balanced and sensible South Korean three-row hybrid SUV available on the market in the present day.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Is An All-Rounder Three-Row SUV
Following the foremost 2024 refresh and redesign of the Hyundai Santa Fe, the 2025 hybrid iteration is the family-friendly three-row SUV that boasts a rugged exterior design, plenty of inside choices, a cabin filled with up-to-date options, a low beginning value, three spectacular trims to select from, and a helpful and fuel-sipping engine.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid sports activities a daring exterior that offers it a presence larger than its pay grade. You get an elevated hood, H-shaped LED daytime working lights, and a large, textured grille that offers the entire construct a pointy, chiseled look. Sculpted strains run down the physique and out there 19- or 20-inch alloys once more make it look costlier than it’s, whereas a plethora of colours are selectable that make it actually stand out on the well-priced market. The colour schemes out there for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid embody:
- Serenity White
- Phantom Black
- Shimmering Silver
- Hampton Grey
- Atlantis Blue
- Rockwood Inexperienced
- Final Crimson
- Ecotronic Grey Matte
- Earthy Brass Matte
- Terracotta Orange
The 2025 Santa Fe Can Seat Seven And Carry Over 1,200 Kilos For Underneath $40,000
This 12 months’s Santa Fe Hybrid is a mid-size SUV, however that does not imply you aren’t getting oodles of house for you and your loved ones. The bottom trim has a beginning value of $37,800, and as normal, this 12 months’s Santa Fe Hybrid comes geared up with seven seats, with a second-row bench seat, in a 2-3-2 configuration.
You may as well select to swap out the second row bench seat for 2 captain’s chairs (2-2-2 configuration) for those who do not want the seventh seat and need to give extra legroom to your passengers. On prime of the three rows of seating, the Santa Fe Hybrid can lug about 1,223 kilos of stuff inside, whereas contemplating you may eke out very spectacular mixed mpg rankings, it’s also possible to tow a good quantity behind you.
The Reasonably priced Three-Row SUV That Balances Effectivity And Work Ethic
There is only one engine possibility for this 12 months’s Santa Fe Hybrid: a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid that makes 231 horses and 271 pound-feet of torque. Energy is distributed to the wheels by way of a six-speed computerized gearbox. You’ll be able to select between front-wheel drive for essentially the most gas-sipping possibility or all-wheel drive for those who reside in moist or snowy areas.
Whereas a few of its rivals within the hybrid three-row market might be able to tow barely extra (the 2025 Toyota Sequoia can tow an enormous 9,500 kilos), the Santa Fe Hybrid is without doubt one of the most fuel-efficient three-row SUVs you should purchase in 2025. So, not solely do you get a modern-feeling construct, seven seats as normal, and weekend-ready towing capacities, however it’s also possible to save a bit of cash on gasoline annually in comparison with gas-only three-row SUVs.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Gasoline Effectivity Specs
In keeping with FuelEconomy.gov, the all-wheel-drive Santa Fe Hybrid can obtain a mixed mpg score of 34 mpg, whereas the front-wheel-drive Santa Fe Hybrid can obtain an much more spectacular 36 mpg. Which, for an SUV that weighs in at between 4,431 kilos (FWD) and 4,575 kilos (AWD), could be very respectable.
|
2025 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD |
2025 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Mixed MPG Ranking |
36 MPG |
34 MPG |
|
Metropolis MPG Ranking |
36 MPG |
35 MPG |
|
Freeway MPG Ranking |
35 MPG |
34 MPG |
|
Gasoline Tank Vary |
637 Miles |
602 Miles |
|
Gasoline Tank Measurement |
17.7 Gallons |
17.7 Gallons |
|
Price To Fill Tank |
$53 |
$53 |
|
Price To Drive 25 Miles |
$2.10 |
$2.22 |
|
Annual Gasoline Prices |
$1,250 |
$1,350 |
In comparison with the common fashionable automobile, which, in line with FuelEconomy.gov, achieves a median estimated mixed mpg score of 26 mpg, driving a Santa Fe Hybrid might prevent between $1,250 and $1,750 over 5 years on gasoline.
Low Beginning Costs And An All-Spherical Household-Pleasant Construct
One of the vital interesting issues in regards to the new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is that every one three trims boast a really respectable beginning value. The bottom trim this 12 months is the Santa Fe Hybrid SEL, which has a beginning value of $37,800 with front-wheel drive ($39,600 if you’d like AWD); the mid-tier Santa Fe Hybrid Restricted has a beginning value of $44,700 with front-wheel drive ($46,500 for AWD mannequin), and the top-tier Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy has a beginning value of $47,850 with front-wheel drive ($49,650 for AWD mannequin).
All trims boast three rows of seating, with the SEL and Restricted each geared up with bench seats within the second row, whereas the Calligraphy comes geared up with second-row captain’s chairs. All trims, although, are exceptionally well-equipped for the low value level, and we predict, make for excellent worth for cash.
Inside Options Will not Depart You Wanting
The entry-level SEL feels upscale for its sub-$40K price ticket, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB charging ports (two up entrance and two within the rear), and a wi-fi charging pad. The entrance seats come wrapped in Hyundai’s delicate H-Tex artificial leather-based, paired with an eight-way energy driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone local weather management, and rear air vents to maintain your second- and third-row passengers snug.
The Santa Fe Hybrid Restricted will get you extra in the way in which of consolation upgrades. Showcased is real leather-based seating surfaces to switch the H-Tex, and the usual tools checklist steps up with options like ventilated entrance seats, heated second-row seats, and a dual-pane sunroof. Tech additionally will get a lift, courtesy of a 12.4-inch totally digital gauge cluster, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, and third-row USB retailers. To prime off the mid-tier, you additionally get a bi-directional middle console that can be utilized by entrance and second-row passengers, and a really upscale UV-C sterilization compartment for sanitizing small gadgets. Actually, sure.
On the prime of the pile is the Calligraphy trim, which brings essentially the most in the way in which of refinement and luxury. You get Nappa leather-based seating and the already-mentioned captain’s chairs; twin wi-fi machine chargers come as normal, and might cost two Qi-compatible telephones with out cables. The highest-end trims additionally flaunt extra premium inside accents within the form of enhanced stitching, faux-wood trim, and a suede headliner, and soft-touch surfaces on the doorways, dashboard, and middle console.
The highest trim additionally brings just a little extra in the way in which of connectivity, with the Hyundai Digital Key 2 included, which helps you to lock and unlock the Santa Fe Hybrid out of your cellphone. Throughout all trims, the inside is fashionable, crisp, and tech-forward, and enhances the family-friendly/semi-plush really feel.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Inside Dimensions And Cargo Area
The Santa Fe Hybrid is just not all simply appears and tech, although. Alongside the three rows of seating, the house inside makes it a really aggressive rival within the mid-size three-row SUV market.
Payload capability is respectable at over 1,200 kilos, and headroom and legroom are spacious throughout all three rows, whereas the 14.6 cubic ft behind the third row, 40.5 cubic ft behind the second row, and the utmost cargo capability with all seats tucked away of 79.6 cubic ft make it a really helpful and cozy SUV to personal.
Excessive Reliability Scores And A Prime Security Decide+ Award
So, now we have established that you would be able to match lots within the Santa Fe Hybrid; it’s snug, and it’s well-priced, however simply to spherical off, that it’s the most well-balanced South Korean three-row hybrid SUV this 12 months, it is usually dependable and secure.
In keeping with RepairPal, the Santa Fe is ranked second out of the 26 mid-size SUVs they monitor, with a 4 out of 5 for reliability, and a low annual upkeep invoice of $515. This makes it cheaper to take care of than the common mid-sized SUV, which has a median annual upkeep invoice of $573, and lots cheaper to take care of than the common automobile available on the market, which has a median annual invoice of $652.
In case you are searching for a hybrid three-row SUV, you might be probably searching for a automobile to go well with ferrying a household round, and because of the excellent security suite included, it’s a very appropriate SUV for the job. As normal, all trims of the Santa Fe Hybrid come geared up with the Hyundai SmartSense suite. Commonplace base-trim security options embody:
- Ahead Collision-Avoidance Help with Pedestrian, Bicycle owner, and Junction Turning Detection.
- Lane Retaining Help.
- Lane Following Help.
- Sensible Cruise Management with Cease & Go.
- Protected Exit Help.
- Superior Rear Occupant Alert.
- Driver Consideration Warning.
Should you go for the Restricted trim, you additionally profit from Navigation-based Sensible Cruise Management and Parking Collision-Avoidance Help – Reverse. The highest-tier Calligraphy trim is essentially the most geared up, and also you profit from every thing within the decrease trims, plus Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance, Ahead-Collision Avoidance Help 2, which incorporates junction turning/crossing, lane-change oncoming and aspect, and evasive steering. You may as well select optionally available options like a Blind-Spot View Monitor and a surround-view digicam.
Because of the large checklist of security options included, all-around ‘Good’ crash worthiness rankings, ‘Acceptable’ rankings for headlight security and LATCH ease of use, and ‘Good’ rankings for entrance crash prevention rankings and seatbelt reminders, the 2025 Santa Fe has been given a Security Prime Decide+ award from the IIHS, and a 4 out of 5-star security score from the NHTSA.
House owners Are Loving Their 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
It isn’t simply us that assume it; homeowners of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid are additionally huge followers. In keeping with the critiques on J.D. Energy for the 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid, homeowners have rated it 82 out of 100 total, giving it a rating of 81 out of 100 for high quality and reliability, and a driving expertise score of 88 out of 100.
Likewise, homeowners who’ve left a assessment on Kelley Blue Guide have additionally praised it extremely total; 100% of householders who’ve left a assessment would suggest shopping for it and have given it an total score of 4.3 out of 5 stars, with different extra particular rankings together with:
- 4.3 out of 5 for reliability
- 4.6 out of 5 for consolation
- 4.6 out of 5 for high quality
- 4.7 out of 5 for efficiency
- 4.9 out of 5 for worth
- 5 out of 5 for styling
Different Three-Row Hybrid SUVs That Give The Hyundai Santa Fe A Run For Its Cash
There is no such thing as a denying that the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid ticks a heck of a number of containers as an reasonably priced, environment friendly, trendy, snug, and helpful three-row mid-size SUV, and it’s the greatest well-balanced hybrid Korean iteration this 12 months. Nonetheless, it’s by far the one hybrid three-row SUV that’s making a mark.
Except for the Santa Fe Hybrid, a few of the most standout fashions you should purchase this 12 months are from the South Korean marques’ Japanese rivals: Toyota and Mazda. The 2025 Toyota Highlander has been given an total rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Kelley Blue Guide, and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 Hybrid has been given an total rating of three.2 out of 5, which can appear low, however we predict that it deserves some recognition.
Boasting a beginning value of simply shy of $50,000 for the Mazda CX-90 PHEV Most well-liked, slightly below $55,000 for the Premium Sport, and round $58,000 for the Premium Plus, it could be just a little costlier than the Santa Fe, however it’s arguably lots plusher, and also you do get a extra highly effective plug-in mill beneath the hood. The CX-90 PHEV packs a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four mated to an electrical motor that may kick out 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Plus, you get an all-electric vary of as much as 26 miles.
Seating-wise, the CX-90 additionally presents three rows of seating, with the identical seating configuration choices because the Santa Fe, however you solely get 75.2 cubic ft of cupboard space with all of the seats folded away. The place the CX-90 PHEV stands out, although, is with its standard-fit i-ACTIVE AWD on all trims, a 12.3-inch middle show, and the upper dedication to the plusher aspect of SUV life compared.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid can be costlier than the Santa Fe Hybrid, however solely barely. The bottom LE trim begins at simply over $44,000, and the high-end trims prime out at simply over $60,000. There are two hybrid-flavored engines: the standard-fit 2.5-liter inline-four hybrid good for 245 horsepower, and a Hybrid MAX model, which is a 2.4-liter turbo-four mated to a motor, and might kick out 362 horsepower. Essentially the most environment friendly taste of the Grand Highlander can obtain a mixed mpg score of 36 mpg (XLE with base hybrid engine featured), taking it proper to the Santa Fe Hybrid by way of effectivity.
It’s costlier from the beginning, and also you once more get the identical seating configuration choices because the Santa Fe, however you additionally get a whopping 97.5 cubic ft of house if you fold down the seats, and a formidable 33.5 inches of third-row legroom. Tech and security are additionally effectively taken care of, due to Toyota Security Sense 3.0 geared up as normal, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wi-fi smartphone connectivity all included at construct. Sure, it could be barely extra dear, however the Grand Highlander hybrid does provide an enormous quantity that makes it an actual thorn within the aspect of the all-around family-friendly Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
Sources: J.D. Energy, FuelEconomy.gov, Kelley Blue Guide, IIHS, NHTSA, and RepairPal.