2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The Santa Fe has been around for awhile, and in recent years, it's gotten a lot of upgrades. As a result, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe feels modern and stylish, and it has great high-tech components in its cabin. This two-row SUV is priced competitively and provides customers with a range of options. It should have a broad appeal amongst those interested in getting themselves SUVs that are practical and capable.

What's New for 2022?

For the 2022 model year, Hyundai has given its customers a plug-in hybrid option. Though it has limited availability, it provides an intriguing choice if anyone wants to join in on the electric-vehicle trend. Another change is that there's a new trim, which is the XRT. It's similar to the SEL but has some special aesthetic enhancements.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe – The Pros

1. Four Available Powertrains

Hyundai gives people a lot to think about when it comes to the powertrain in the Santa Fe. There are two non-hybrid engines. One is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that can make 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The other is a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, also with four cylinders, that can deliver 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Obviously, it's much more powerful than the standard one, though the base engine can still handle itself well.

The other two choices are hybrids. The Santa Fe hybrid uses an electric motor and a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger, and it has a net horsepower of 226. The Santa Fe plug-in hybrid has the same type of gas-powered engine, but it gets to have a larger battery pack than the regular hybrid does. This gives it an extra boost, and this plug-in version has a net horsepower of 261.

2. Solid Capability

Gone are the days when hybrids were something to look down on because of their performance. The industry has been working hard to make hybrids attractive not only because of their efficiency but also because of their capability. Both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Santa Fe have standard all-wheel drive. When properly equipped, they can tow 2,000 pounds.

All-wheel drive is an option with the non-hybrid Santa Fe. These SUVs, too, have towing capacities of 2,000 pounds.

3. Driver-Assist Systems Are Plentiful

There are so many ways in which the Santa Fe can help its drivers. It comes equipped with an array of driver-assist technologies. The standard safety suite includes smart cruise control, lane keeping and lane following assist, driver attention warning, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. That forward collision avoidance system can sense the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, so it's really a benefit that can keep everyone safer on the roads.

Higher trims can have more comprehensive safety packages. They could have blind-spot monitors, surround view monitors, highway driving assist, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist programs. The ways in which the Santa Fe can actively keep prevent accidents is quite impressive. It's like having a backup driver who's ready to take action at any moment in case something goes wrong.

4. Can Park Itself

The premium trims of the Santa Fe have a cool feature called Remote Smart Parking Assist. With this program, the SUV can use various monitors placed around its cabin as it parks itself into a parallel or perpendicular space. If the space is particularly tight, the driver and passengers can get out of the vehicle before it parks. All the driver needs to do to activate the system is to push a button on the key fob.

5. An Ideal Amount of Cargo Room

To many, the size of the Santa Fe makes it enticing. No, it doesn't have a third row of seats, but it does have a generous amount of cargo room. Behind the second row of seats, the cargo area has a volume of 36.4 cubic feet, and when the seats are folded down, there's 72.1 cubic feet of space. This is more than what many rivals offer, and it gives people a lot of room to take advantage of when transporting bulky items.

6. Adults Can Ride Comfortably in the Back

The back seat of the Santa Fe is spacious as well. Even taller adults can feel free to stretch their legs out, as there is 41.7 inches of second-row leg room. This makes it a practical choice for those who will frequently have teens or adults riding in the back with them.

7. Hybrids Are So Efficient

It's really great that Hyundai has presented customers with two hybrids. The non plug-in version does well with fuel efficiency, as it can earn an estimated 36 miles per gallon on the highway and 31 miles per gallon in the city. Its combined fuel economy is 34 miles per gallon.

The plug-in hybrid has a similar combined fuel economy of 33 miles per gallon when just looking at it in hybrid mode. When it uses its electric motor, it has an MPGe of 76 miles per gallon. Plus, it can travel pretty far using electric power alone. Its all-electric range is 30 miles, which could be enough range for quick trips around town. Some drivers may even be able to get to work and back home again without using any gasoline.

8. Advanced Technology

Technology plays a major role when people are deciding which vehicles to get. Fortunately, the Hyundai Santa Fe has an attractive technology package. It comes standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and HD Radio. Its higher trims can have 10.25-inch touchscreens with navigation, wireless charging, and 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound systems.

9. Sophisticated Interior

On the upper end of the lineup, there are many high-end features that are included. The Santa Fe can be set up with quilted premium Nappa leather seats that look luxurious and feel so soft. Up front, the seats can be heated and ventilated, and the driver's seat can have four-way power lumbar, a leg cushion extension, and a memory program. The steering wheel and second-row seats can be heated, too.

10. A Full Range of Prices

Hyundai makes so many trims of the Santa Fe, so it can be easy to find something in a desired price range. The SE and SEL are priced affordably, so they could appeal to those who don't necessarily need anything fancy but still want vehicles with capability, convenience, and modern technology. The higher trims are decked out with extra enhancements that can satisfy those with discerning tastes. As long as people can afford those trims, they should be pleased with what they have to offer.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe – The Cons

1. Center Console Feels Cluttered

When sitting inside the cabin, it's hard not to notice the center console. It's fairly wide and long, and it has all sorts of buttons that make it can a little overwhelming at first. Sure, the buttons are useful, but during a time in which streamlined appearances are valued, this may have been a mistake on Hyundai's part.

2. XRT Could Be More Rugged

The XRT is the newest addition to the lineup, and it comes with enhanced exterior details like dark silver skid plates, side steps, a dark-finish front grille, black mirrors and cross rails, and special side moldings. These are nice to have, but they don't actually add any capability to the SUV. The XRT even has the standard engine instead of the turbocharged one, so it's not as powerful as it could be. To help the XRT stand out more, Hyundai could have beefed up its mechanical components in addition to giving it a bold style.

3. SiriusXM Is Missing

Unfortunately, the Santa Fe doesn't come with SiriusXM. SiriusXM is an attractive entertainment option that gives people access to dozens of quality radio stations, and it's found on many models made by competitors to Hyundai. This probably shouldn't be a deal-breaker, but it will be noticed by many prospective buyers.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is a two-row SUV that has a similar feel to that of the Santa Fe. However, it doesn't have the same amount of cargo space. Its rear cargo area is a touch over 30 cubic feet, and when its rear seats have been lowered, it has just under 60 cubic feet of cargo space. This is significantly smaller than what the Santa Fe offers.

Also, there isn't currently a hybrid version of the CX-5. This is something to note since the hybrid market seems to be growing every year.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Honda CR-V

Honda makes non-hybrid and hybrid versions of the CR-V, but right now, there is no plug-in option. The Santa Fe beats the CR-V in another important way as well. It can have much more power than the CR-V can. The non-hybrid CR-V can make 190 horsepower, while the hybrid can generate a total of 212 horsepower. Remember that a turbocharged Santa Fe can make 281 horsepower, the hybrid version comes with 226 horsepower, and the plug-in hybrid takes horsepower up to 261.

Conclusion

If anyone is looking for an SUV that will offer power, comfort, convenience, and reliability, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe could be a strategic pick. Hyundai gives its customers many options in terms of powertrain and trim, and they're all pretty capable. The plug-in hybrid should be able to interest some customers in particular. Overall, the Santa Fe brings quite a bit to the market, and it has excellent value.