The Santa Fe is a five-passenger two-row SUV that slots in between the compact Tucson and three-row Palisade. It's been a staple in Hyundai's lineup for more than 20 years and was one of the brand's first SUVs. Though it's been a part of Hyundai's ascendancy from budget-brand to near-premium automaker, the current Santa Fe has been out since 2019 and needs something fresh to leave a real impression on us.
Luckily, Hyundai's done just that and added an all-new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain to the 2022 Santa Fe. It allows you to drive a short distance on all-electric power — around 30 miles, according to the EPA — before switching over to operate like a regular hybrid. You can charge the Santa Fe's battery pack at home or at a public charging station, and doing so frequently can really help reduce your use of gas.
Hyundai starts the PHEV version at the SEL trim level, so there's no base SE trim like there is on the gas-powered Santa Fe. That, plus the price premium of its powertrain, results in an elevated starting price. But we think there's still solid value here. The PHEV is laden with premium features such as heated front seats and a wireless smartphone charging device, and you're getting a stellar 10-year/100,000-mile warranty too.
The Santa Fe's competition includes rivals such as its corporate cousin, the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, as well as slightly smaller SUVs such as the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Prime. Overall, we think it's worth a look if you want an SUV that's efficient, quiet and spacious.
The Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV is a five-passenger plug-in hybrid SUV available in two trim levels: SEL Convenience and Limited. Every Santa Fe PHEV is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system that combine to produce 260 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. Note that there's also the gas-only Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Hybrid, which are reviewed separately on Edmunds. Take a look at the list of options included with the Santa Fe PHEV:
The RAV4 Prime is the plug-in version of the RAV4. It boasts more power, with 302 ponies compared to the Santa Fe PHEV's 260 hp. Toyota's plug-in hybrid also has more electric range and better fuel economy when the battery runs out of juice. But the Santa Fe PHEV has more cargo space and Hyundai's powertrain warranty (10 years/100,000 miles) sets it apart from most other manufacturers, including Toyota (five years/60,000 miles).
Subaru is known for its easy-breezy comfort and all-wheel-drive prowess, and the Crosstrek Hybrid is no exception. It's a plug-in hybrid, just like the Santa Fe. However, it only has about half the all-electric range — 17 miles to the Santa Fe's 33 miles. You also get more cargo space and passenger space with the Santa Fe. But the Crosstrek will be the better pick if you plan on heading out on some dirt trails.
The Sorento is the Santa Fe's corporate cousin and shares many positive attributes such as roomy seating, standard all-wheel drive and nearly identical fuel efficiency. The Sorento PHEV is also neck-and-neck with the Santa Fe PHEV when it comes to all-electric range, but the Hyundai earns points for more ground clearance and a lower price point. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Kia Sorento.
The Santa Fe is a two-row SUV that slots in between the compact Tucson and three-row Palisade. It's been a staple in Hyundai's lineup for more than 20 years and was one of the brand's first SUVs. Though it's been a part of Hyundai's ascendancy from budget-brand to near-premium automaker, the current Santa Fe, which has been out since 2019, needs something fresh to leave a real impression on us.
The powertrain itself consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system that combine to produce a total output to 260 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels.
Any plug-in hybrid is at its very best when the battery is fully charged and the car can intelligently switch between the battery or the gas engine to suit the situation. Drain the battery, however, and a PHEV instantly turns into an even heavier version of a normal hybrid because of its bigger battery.
Like other Santa Fe models, the PHEV is a comfortable place to spend some time. The interior is hushed at most any speed, and on different types of pavement there's little tire drone to speak of. We were able to carry on with a quiet conversation during the duration of our drive, not once having to raise our voices to match the level of unwanted noises, vibrations or harshness. It's also cavernous up front, with enough legroom for taller occupants and comfortable seats that will accommodate a wide range of body types.
The interior itself has not changed at all for the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, so all of our likes and dislikes from other models carry directly over. There's good small-item storage, and the cargo hold is truly massive. A generous glovebox and deep center console only bolster the Santa Fe's family-hauler credentials. So does its large rear seat area and gobs of headroom for both front and rear seat riders — even with a full-length glass roof.
The Santa Fe PHEV Limited, which is what we drove, gets the same 10.25-inch infotainment display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as other top-spec Santa Fes. There are loads of features packed into the Limited trim, including heated and front ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel and a Harman Kardon sound system.
The EPA estimates the 2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid can go about 30 miles on all-electric power with a fully charged battery. After the battery runs out, expect to get 33 mpg in combined city/highway driving, the EPA says. Both figures are a little less than what you can get from a RAV4 Prime, which boasts 42 miles of electric range and 38 mpg combined.
Edmunds saysThe Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is a fine alternative to the solely gas-powered version of the Santa Fe. If you want something efficient, quiet, tech-packed and spacious, it's worth a look. But it seems only at its very best if you can keep that battery charged, but we won't know for sure until we're able to put this PHEV through our full range of testing.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid:
The least-expensive 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid SEL Convenience 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $40,000.
Other versions include:
