The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is mostly a carry-over model from the 2022 Santa Fe which means that it stays predominantly unchanged. For the 2023 model year, Hyundai decided to include certain features on all models. These include a 10.25” widescreen display, over-the-air updates, Dynamic Voice Recognition, and Highway Driving Assist.
Besides these, the 2023 Santa Fe costs a bit more money from new which is to be expected considering the current state of the global economy. In this article, we will tell you all about 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe in order to help you decide if you want to buy it or not. We are going to go in-depth about all the main aspects of the Santa Fe which ought to give you a good idea of the Santa Fe.
Engine-wise, the Santa Fe offers gasoline and hybrid engines, all of which are relatively powerful, efficient, and decently sophisticated. The exterior design has seen great improvement over the previous generation of the Santa Fe which is why Hyundai has no need to change it anytime soon. It is very much the same story as the interior design.
Reliability is really good as is the case with most new Hyundai models these days. It is also a fairly well-priced SUV that can be bought by most households in the US. Practicality is excellent as the Santa Fe offers up to seven seats and large trunk space.
Hyundai Santa Fe – The Powertrain
As mentioned in the beginning, the Santa Fe comes with either hybrid or gasoline engines as Hyundai decided to drop all diesel models from its lineup a few years ago. The only gasoline engine available is the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine in two stages of tune. The weaker iteration of the engine offers 194hp and 182lb-ft of torque while the more powerful one offers 281hp and 311lb-ft of torque.
When it comes to hybrid powertrains, the Santa Fe gets two. Both use a 1.6L 4-cylinder gasoline engine as a base engine, but combine it with electric motors for a combined output of 230hp-260hp depending if it’s a PHEV or a conventional hybrid. An automatic gearbox comes as standard on all iterations of the Santa Fe.
You can choose between FWD and AWD, but I’d strongly advise going for the AWD model as this is a large family car that is sure to benefit from AWD safety. You can expect around 25-30 MPG with gasoline engines and up to 141MPG with the most efficient PHEV model.
Hyundai Santa Fe – Design and Driving
The latest model of the Santa Fe is a much better-looking car compared to the previous generation as it now looks authentic and rather stately. The interior is very much the same story because it is a really pleasant place to be with high-quality materials, great ergonomics, and cool design touches, colors, and materials.
Driving-wise, the Santa Fe drives big as any other SUV does in its class. This means that it is by no means a dynamic SUV and it can’t be compared to some high-performance SUVs in its segment. Be that as it may, you do feel the added safety and confidence of driving a car that is high off the ground and so well-isolated.
Hyundai Santa Fe – Reliability and Common Issues
The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the safest and most reliable SUVs on the market which is why the Santa Fe is rated as “one of the most reliable SUVs from its class” by reputable sources such as J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and RepairPal. This comes as a relief for those wondering how expensive it is to run such a big SUV these days.
However, no car is perfect and the Santa Fe does suffer from certain issues that are worth mentioning. For starters, you can expect issues with certain electrical systems, possibly with the engine, high oil consumption, and maybe an infotainment system.
Hyundai Santa Fe – Value and Practicality
The 2023 Santa Fe starts at around $30,000 for the entry-level model while higher-end models can go for a lot more than that. Used 2021 and 2022 models are known for retaining value really well which means that the 2023 is likely to be the same.
Practicality is excellent as you can sit up to 7 people into the Santa Fe, but the rearmost seats are reserved for children only. Most people use the Santa Fe as a 5-seater which means that you get ample trunk space in the back.
FAQ Section
Should I buy a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
If you are interested in buying a brand-new family SUV that is dependable, safe, attainable, and good-looking, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is actually a really good option. With seats up to 7, a 5-star safety rating, excellent reliability, low running costs, and powerful yet efficient engines, the Santa Fe is a great choice.
On the other hand, if you are used to driving luxury mid-size SUVs, the Santa Fe might feel a bit underwhelming, but that is to be expected if you are downgrading from much more expensive SUVs.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a full-size spare?
Pressured by most customers these days, many automakers went back to offering spare tires except for those repair kit/compressors. However, Hyundai didn’t make that move yet, at least not with the Santa Fe. As such, the 2023 Santa Fe does not get a full-size or even a space-saver spare tire in favor of the dreaded tire mobility kit.
This kit includes tire sealant and an air compressor that is both fiddly and slow to use and is likely going to be tossed out due to the frustration of not having a real spare tire.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe a good family car?
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is actually a really good family car because it offers lots of interior space and everything you hope to get from a superior family car. As such, there really is no reason why you should not consider buying the 2023 Santa Fe if you want maximum comfort, safety, and enjoyment for up to 7 family members and possibly even a dog.