2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Review: How It Compares to the Competition

The recently redesigned 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe midsize SUV enters its fifth generation with updates across trim levels aimed at boosting value, technology, and comfort. As more consumers shift toward SUVs, competition remains fierce among stalwarts like the Toyota Highlander and newcomers like the Kia Telluride. So how does the new Santa Fe compare? This in-depth review takes a close look at the key strengths and downsides of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe versus its closest SUV rivals.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Overview

As Hyundai’s best-selling SUV in the United States, the Santa Fe slots between the smaller Tucson and larger, recently introduced Palisade in size. The midsize segment remains popular with families looking for the right blend of space, efficiency, safety, and technology. Hyundai has shuffled Santa Fe trims for 2024, now offering SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy models.

*2.5L 4-cylinder and 2.5L turbo engines offered
*Seating for 5 or 7 passengers
*Generous safety and technology features
*Fresh exterior and interior styling updates

Hyundai packs a lot of value into the 2024 Santa Fe given its lower base price compared to competitors, while still offering amenities like an available 12.3” digital gauge cluster, premium Harman Kardon audio system, panoramic sunroof, Bluelink telematics system, wireless charging, and more. Fuel economy reaches 28 mpg combined from its efficient turbo engine, while standard active safety features match or exceed those of pricier rivals.

Base prices range from $33,350 for the Santa Fe SE 2.5L to $46,750 for the turbocharged Calligraphy, keeping it an affordable proposition before adding options or fees. So how does this value line up against top midsize SUV competitors? Below we’ll compare the Santa Fe to the stalwart Toyota Highlander, stylish new Kia Telluride, and perennially popular Honda Passport.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander makes finding a properly equipped family SUV easy by including high levels of amenities, safety, roominess, and proven reliability even at base LE and XLE trim levels. But that comes at a price – Highlander base models start around $6,000 higher than the most affordable Hyundai Santa Fe, albeit with extra standard features like power liftgate, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Pricing reaches the stratosphere at top Limited and Platinum levels, but the Highlander remains remarkably popular for bringing it all – at a cost.

The Toyota Highlander delivers comfort for the whole family, but top trims get expensive. The Santa Fe offers lots of features and options at more accessible pricing.

Toyota fights back with its reputation for quality, retainment of value, and comfort for passengers. All Highlander models get a strong V6 that leaves the Santa Fe’s base engine in the dust for acceleration and effortless passing power. The third row is bigger and more usable, although still best suited to kids. Ride quality picks up where the previous model left off by leaning toward soft and quiet versus agile.

Tech lovers get a lot for their money in the Santa Fe Calligraphy, like a sylish digital dash, customizable ambient lighting, premium audio system upgrades, and a wide touchscreen with wireless connectivity. All those features cost extra in the Highlander. Still, Toyota counters with excellent resale value and brand prestige that let buyers choose popular options bundles suited to their needs in user-friendly fashion.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride burst onto the scene for 2020 by blending cutting-edge style, luxury features, and serious passenger and cargo space into a midsize SUV package starting thousands below most competitors. As corporate cousins under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella, the Telluride and Santa Fe share a number of components and strengths centered around value. So how similar are they?

Corporate cousins offering similar value, the largest differences come from unique styling and tuning.

As expected given their mechanical kinship, the Santa Fe and Telluride stack up closely in most areas. Power and fuel efficiency nods go to the Santa Fe’s available turbo engine versus Kia’s smooth and powerful V6. Both SUVs offer available luxury amenities like leather, surround view parking camera, premium audio, head-up display, captain’s chairs, and an abundance of USB ports and cupholders.

Cargo capacity behind both the third and second rows slightly favor the Telluride, while ride quality differs by tuning more than dimensions. Kia leans sportier with tighter handling and steering feel than the Santa Fe’s comfort-oriented calibration. Exterior dimensions are nearly identical, so both work well for carpool duty or road trips.

But style still sells, and the Telluride turns far more heads with its rugged looks and impressive attention to detail. For those less concerned with curb appeal, the Santa Fe brings a more subdued but also sophisticated look particularly on Calligraphy models. With identical warranties and brands sharing resources, picking between them largely comes down to styling preference versus the Santa Fe’s higher fuel economy.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda Passport

As one of the original and more truck-like midsize SUVs, the Honda Passport makes the most sense for buyers needing to frequently haul gear, pull trailers, and venture off the beaten path. Reborn for 2019 with a shortened version of the Honda Pilot platform, the Passport slots below the full-size Toyota 4Runner and traditional body-on-frame pickups for size but offers ample space and capability.

The Passport better equips buyers needing light off-road ability or towing performance.

Dimensions align closely between the two aside from the Passport’s extra ground clearance and approach angles that pay dividends on rough trails. Both offer room for gear, but the Passport’s rear load floor sits lower to the ground to ease lifting heavy items. Second row space goes to the three-row Santa Fe simply from its longer body and packaging efficiencies.

Performance and fuel economy metrics favor the turbo Santa Fe by a good margin, even though Honda’s strong V6 loves to rev and sounds great doing so. Power drops during the Passport’s off-road oriented transmission programming. On road, the Passport leans sportier in keeping with past Honda SUVs, while the Santa Fe prizes comfort.

Unique Honda touches stand out inside like the Passport’s configurable center console and extra handy storage compartments. Exterior styling comes down to taste, but the Passport has a more rugged, casual vibe in keeping with its adventure-ready promise. Both warranties and brand reliability ratings are excellent, leading to strong retained values.

FAQ

Does the Santa Fe have 3 rows?

Yes, the Santa Fe offers optional seating for 7 passengers with a third row. However, like most midsize SUVs, that rearmost row works better for kids than adults on long drives.

How long is the Santa Fe warranty?

All new Hyundai models come with a 5 year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty, along with a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and more – among the best coverage terms in the business.

Which engine is better, the 2.5L base or 2.5L turbo?

For balanced performance and fuel efficiency with premium fuel recommended, the turbocharged engine makes a compelling upgrade. Horsepower jumps from 191 hp to 277 hp for much quicker acceleration. It tows more, and efficiency climbs to 28 mpg versus 23 mpg combined in the city and highway for the base engine.

Does the Santa Fe have wireless phone charging?

Yes, wireless charging is available in the Santa Fe depending on trim and options packages selected. Details can be compared across versions on Hyundai’s website. Basic wireless charging starts on the SEL model for phones compatible with the Qi standard.

Is the Santa Fe bigger than the Tucson?

Definitely. With the Tucson serving as Hyundai’s compact SUV, the midsize Santa Fe slots in above it with more passenger and cargo room. Third row seating availability highlights the size difference, while dimensions align more closely with Hyundai’s new Palisade.

I hope this thorough comparison of the new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe to its top rival midsize SUVs assists readers researching options in this popular category. Hyundai packs impressive value into the 5-seat or 7-seat Santa Fe lineup to meet many family needs at relatively affordable pricing. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe brings a lot to the table for families seeking a well-rounded midsize SUV. Value stands as its cornerstone attributes, with amenities and options rivaling luxury models available on higher trims without breaking the bank. Efficiency also impresses, with the turbo engine’s 28 mpg combined rating topping the class.

Upscale, elegant styling inside and out give it legitimate curb appeal over mainstream-looking rivals. Strong crash test results and generous driver assistance features reinforce that safety remains a priority as well. Hyundai backs all of this up with one of the industry’s best new car and powertrain warranties to boot.

While falling short of the Toyota Highlander’s buttery-smooth ride quality and brand familiarity, the Santa Fe holds its own for interior roominess. The Kia Telluride may turn more heads, but the Hyundai appeals with subtle sophistication. Mechanical similarities run deep between the two otherwise. And only the Honda Passport bests its off-road credibility and tow ratings among direct rivals.

In other words, the exceptionally well-rounded Santa Fe does many things well for the money compared to both established class benchmarks and some unexpected upstart competitors. For shoppers able to give it a close look beyond just crossover SUV familiar names, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe deserves a spot at or near the top of most family and budget-focused shopping lists.