2027 Hyundai Santa Fe: EREV Powertrain & New Features – The world has had a year to get used to the futuristic look of the Santa Fe SUV, and although the initial shock of its boxy shape has somewhat subsided, it is still a divisive statement. The modern Santa Fe has a three-row seating arrangement, a capacity for seven passengers, a large cargo compartment, and a wide tailgate opening, all of which assist it target the family population that it was designed to appeal to.
Performance, Engine, and Transmission
Every nonhybrid Santa Fe has a 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharged engine that produces 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are the default setups, however all-wheel drive is an option. The transmission may behave sluggish at low speeds, as we have already mentioned. Only the most severe impacts enter the cabin thanks to the suspension tune, which prioritizes comfortable, gentle riding. As expected, there is some body roll when going around turns, but the steering is well-weighted, and our Calligraphy trim tester with the big 21-inch wheels had 0.84 g of grip on the skidpad. We recommend looking at the Mazda CX-90, which has three rows of seats and an added driving thrill, if you’re looking for more athletic reflexes. The Santa Fe provides a smooth and peaceful ride, especially on the highway, yet requiring little driver intervention.
Capacity for Payload and Towing
The Santa Fe has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when equipped with trailer brakes and 1,650 pounds when not. Buyers who want to increase the towing capacity can opt for the XRT variant, rated for 4500 pounds with trailer brakes.
Fuel Efficiency and Actual MPG
According to EPA estimates, the Santa Fe with front-wheel drive will get 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the interstate. Choosing the more durable XRT model lowers fuel economy numbers to 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while adding all-wheel drive lowers the highway number to 28 mpg.
Cargo, Comfort, and Interior
The steering wheel and a few knobs are the only round components in the new Santa Fe’s cockpit, which is in keeping with its bold, boxy external design approach. A dramatic rectangle encloses the remainder of the room. The Land Rover Defender’s cockpit clearly influenced the off-road-ready XRT trim’s boxy toughness. There are lots of storage spaces in the front row. Even the dual wireless smartphone charger, which can charge two phones in the center console at once, has adequate space. Large cubbies line the bottom of the door panels, and a wide-mouth pass-through beneath that area can accommodate a bag or purse. For passengers seated in the back, there is a climate control knob to modify the HVAC, and the seats in the second and third rows fold flat. Although the third row isn’t as spacious as the larger Palisade’s, it’s still suitable for children and small adults. According to Hyundai, the area behind the third row is 14.6 cubic feet.
Connectivity and information
Two 12.3-inch screens—the infotainment touchscreen and the instrument cluster—take up over half the dashboard. Despite the obsession with displays, real knobs for climate and audio volume remain in place for convenience. There are USB-C connectors for cable charging as well as an optional twin wireless smartphone charging pad that can charge two phones simultaneously. Standard features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Santa Fe also has a UV-C sterilization chamber in the glovebox to get rid of germs from wallets, smartphones, and other small objects.
Price
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe’s pricing ranges from $35,615 to $48,165, contingent on the trim and available options.