It’s got one of the ugliest rear-ends on the market, but can the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe live up to its long-running reputation for practicality and family-supporting duties? We’ve just test driven a handful of examples at the official Australian media launch event to find out for you.
The Santa Fe drops its diesel and V6 engine options for the new, fifth generation iteration, but adopts an efficient hybrid and sporty 2.5L turbo in their place. Obviously, the design receives a complete makeover as well. Let’s dig in.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: Specifications
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder hybrid
Electrical: 1.49kWh battery, 44.2kW e-motor
Output (combined): 172kW@5600rpm / 367Nm@1000-4100rpm
Gearbox: Six-speed auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive (AWD available)
Wheels: F & R: 20×8.5, 255/45
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2040kg
Power-to-weight: 11.86:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 5.6L/100kmOur consumption: N/A
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 67L/91 RON
Power efficiency: 30.71kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.06 seconds*
0-100km/h: 8.42 seconds (8.58 AWD)*
60-110km/h: 5.74 seconds*
1/4 mile: 16.35 seconds at 140.1km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.801g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.18m in 2.90 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.491g*
Decibel at idle: 45*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 82*
Starting price: $55,500
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: How much does it cost?
Three main variants are on sale in Australia, from the base, Elite, to the top Calligraphy. Hyundai Australia is obviously looking to grab a slice of the higher end market here, adopting the calligraphy name – was that inspired by the Range Rover Autobiography – relating to writing – by any chance?
Either way, the product that you’re getting is noticeably more high-end than before, which of course has pushed the prices up, particularly at the top end. The entry model, however, is a bargain at today’s rates. See below for the starting prices (excluding on-road costs):
MY2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 2WD: $55,500
MY2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid AWD: $58,500
MY2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Elite 1.6T Hybrid AWD: $65,000
MY2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy 1.6T Hybrid AWD: $75,500
Hyundai will launch a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol option later this year, essentially replacing the V6. But, unlike the V6, buyers will be able to option for both front- and all-wheel drive configuration. The engine produces 206kW and 422Nm and is matched to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: Interior & packaging
Wow, just look at this. What a great presentation of stuff. The new model clearly goes for a more upright and what I’d call old-school 4WD cabin theme, with tall windows and a high roof. This affords an accommodating and spacious in-car environment, but also presents superb visibility.
Buyers can option from a range of cool and interesting colour combinations for the trim, including Forest Green and Cream, and Pecan Brown Nappa leather. The base model features a rather nice tartan cloth trim in Obsidian black as well, with some contrasting trimmings on the dash in silver and grey.
Passenger space is excellent in the front and middle rows. You’ve got heaps of headroom and plenty of width to make it feel open and airy. Specifically, the new model offers 20mm of extra middle-row legroom, 39mm more headroom in the front and 40mm more in the middle, with 69mm of extra headroom in the third row. Legroom in the third row is also up by 15mm.
The new model is so big it actually overtakes the Palisade in some areas. For example, second row headroom is rated at 1030mm in the new model against 1019mm in the Palisade. Likewise, boot space is up from 571L to 628L in five-seat configuration, expanding to 1949L with both rear rows folded down.
Hyundai has really stepped up in terms of providing a practical interior package. There are so many USB ports and cup holders in here, passengers won’t know which ones to choose. There’s even two wireless phone chargers in the front complete with grippy rubber mats so your phone doesn’t just slide off.
There are plenty of storage areas around as well, including a drawer that pulls out from the back of the centre console for middle row passengers, as well as a dual-access lid for the main centre console box so rear passengers can make use of the tub as well.
The rear doors have two cup holders each, just for when you’re really thirsty, and there are rubber-padded shelves in the front including a button-operated sanitiser tray for the Elite and Calligraphy models. The sanitiser tray is a bit gimmicky but at worst, just use it as more storage.
Cabin materials and fit and finish feel really good, with no major rattles or squeaks when travelling on country roads. The highlight though, in my opinion, is the visibility. The tall windows really open up the cabin lighting and make it feel very welcoming and relaxing.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: Powertrain & handling
There is no more diesel option. Yep, the diesel is gone. Sadly. This is not a Hyundai Australia thing but a decision from the top. During press presentations, Hyundai Australia tried to point out that demand for hybrid is higher for this market segment, however, we’d like to know who they asked. City people only?
In its place is a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid. This combo has actually been around for quite a while, including in the overseas Tucson. The Tucson will soon receive this hybrid option in Australia too, and it has been available in Kia Sportage and Sorento for a little bit now.
Specifications are slightly different in the new Santa Fe compared with the Kia products, but the changes are very minor. This package produces 172kW at 5600rpm, which is a lot more than the old diesel’s output of 148kW, with a combined torque effort of 367Nm. Torque is reduced significantly over the diesel’s 440Nm heave.
Out on the road this new setup is smooth, quiet and mostly seamless. It transitions between the 44.2kW electric motor, which is mounted with the six-speed automatic, without causing a stir. Only when you’re stopped, sometimes the petrol engine will suddenly fire up to charge the battery.
There is no charging that you need to do. This figures everything out by itself. All you have to do is drive like you normally would in the diesel, for example. You can play around with the different driving modes (Eco, Sport, My Drive), as well as three off-road modes (Snow, Sand, Mud).
From time to time the powertrain will automatically switch over into EV mode, running solely on the electric motor. But the battery capacity is only 1.49kWh, so that doesn’t last long. However, it does help cut the top off, so to speak, reducing day-to-day consumption.
Speaking of which, the new model is rated at 5.6L/100km. That’s not actually that much better than the old diesel and its 6.1L/100km rating. However, this does seem to get quite close to its official rating in the real world more easily, especially around town.
Highway cruising is still okay, but travelling at a constant speed on a flat road, the battery doesn’t really get a chance to supply much assistance or charge up. Fortunately, the 1.6 turbo is adequate by itself on the highway, supplying 132kW and 265Nm.
That isn’t much, but strictly on the highway, you don’t need much to maintain momentum even when hauling the 2040kg (minimum) SUV along. The top-spec Calligraphy weighs 2105kg, featuring dual sunroofs, heated seats in the front and second row, and leather trim, all weighing the vehicle down.
So, what about the handling? I like it. Hyundai seems to have taken some inspiration from its rival sibling, the Kia Sorento, as this is a bit firmer and a bit sportier than the soft and cushy predecessor. That’s good, in my view, as it now feels more controlled and confident on country roads.
It’s still comfortable and relaxing, but now when you encounter a few bends, it doesn’t go all mushy. It actually feels nice to drive through a series of S-bends. It feels stable and sure-footed. The weakest link is the steering, especially on long sweeping bends, as there is very little feel or communication coming back through. It feels better in tighter corners, and around town it’s totally fine.
Driving enthusiasts will be glad to hear Hyundai hasn’t gone with a CVT auto for the hybrid, like many rivals. This is a six-speed auto. Although the newer eight-speed dual-clutch would be nicer and more energetic, having some proper ratios is a great step. It provides engagement and doesn’t make the drive feel (and sound) boring.
Performance is decent, with our Vbox clocking a best 0-100km/h time of 8.42 seconds in the base front-wheel drive hybrid and 8.58 seconds in the AWD Calligraphy. It’s interesting that Hyundai has fit the e-motor with the gearbox and not simply made it part of the rear axle. That’s how Hyundai can offer both front-wheel drive and AWD options with the hybrid system.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Interior: This is an excellent interior. It’s well-presented with heaps of practicality measures, more space than before and a great design to top it off. Well done, Hyundai.
- Hybrid option: Hybrids are pretty rare in the large 7-seat SUV segment in Australia, so it is good Hyundai is offering this package here which will especially benefit those living in urban areas.
- Intriguing design: It looks fresh and cool from most angles. Just not from the rear – those taillights need to move up a bit (explanation in video below).
- Affordable lower end: The base model, starting from $55,500, is a cracking bargain. It comes with pretty much all of the main goodies, including dual 12in screens and whatnot. Add $3000 for AWD and you’ve got yourself a very appealing 7-seat SUV.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: Key considerations before you buy
- No more diesel: However Hyundai tries to spin it, there will always be buyers who miss the diesel. The towing capacity drops from 2500kg to just 1650kg, for example.
- Ugly taillight positioning: Yep, those are fffaargly.
- Spare wheel hangs too low: Off-road performance is reduced due to no more ‘locking centre’ drive system and standard 20-inch wheels across the board, but, mainly, that spare wheel is going to snag obstacles at every chance it gets.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: Video
