The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid XRT is a seven-seater SUV designed to bridge the gap between urban sophistication and adventurous off-road capabilities. With its bold styling, hybrid efficiency, and a $9,990 XRT Peak Off-Road Pack, it’s positioned as a versatile option for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and those looking for a capable all-rounder. Let’s dive into its key features, target audience, and overall performance.
Who Should Consider the Santa Fe Hybrid XRT?
The Santa Fe Hybrid XRT suits buyers who value fuel efficiency, family-friendly practicality, and occasional off-road adventures. Here are the key buyer profiles:
- Eco-Conscious Families: With its hybrid powertrain delivering a combined fuel economy of 5.6L/100km, the Santa Fe Hybrid is an excellent choice for families looking to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing space or comfort.
- Adventurous Weekend Warriors: The XRT Peak Off-Road Pack, which adds 30mm of ground clearance (now at 210mm), all-terrain tyres, and skid plates, makes this SUV capable of tackling light off-road trails and beach driving.
- Comfort Seekers: The top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim offers premium features like Nappa leather seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and advanced safety technologies, ensuring a plush ride for all occupants.
- Novated Lease Buyers: The Santa Fe Hybrid’s hybrid drivetrain and practicality make it an appealing option for those seeking a cost-effective and tax-efficient vehicle through salary packaging.
Exterior Styling and XRT Enhancements
Hyundai’s design philosophy shines through in the Santa Fe Hybrid’s bold and edgy styling. The XRT Peak Off-Road Pack further enhances its rugged appeal with the following additions:
- Lifted Suspension: The 30mm lift increases ground clearance to 210mm, providing better off-road capability.
- 17-inch Alloy Wheels with All-Terrain Tyres: A downgrade from the standard 20-inch wheels but essential for improved grip on loose surfaces.
- Platform Roof Rack: Ideal for carrying extra gear for camping or outdoor trips.
- Mud Flaps and Bash Plates: These provide additional protection during off-road excursions.
The terracotta orange exterior adds a splash of uniqueness, though some might find the bold design a bit polarising. The rear tailgate design, with its low-set taillights, is one of the few aesthetic choices that may not appeal to everyone.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood, the Santa Fe Hybrid combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering a total system output of 172kW and 367Nm of torque. Here are the key performance highlights:
- Hybrid Efficiency: With a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, the hybrid system achieves impressive efficiency without compromising performance.
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD): The active on-demand AWD system ensures optimal grip in challenging conditions, with selectable drive modes for snow, mud, and sand.
- Towing Capacity: A braked towing capacity of 1,650kg makes it capable of handling small trailers or caravans, though payload limitations must be considered.
- Smooth Transmission: The six-speed automatic transmission ensures seamless power delivery, whether you’re cruising on the highway or navigating tricky trails.
Interior Comfort and Practicality
Step inside the Santa Fe Hybrid, and you’ll find a spacious and well-appointed cabin designed with family needs in mind. Key interior features include:
- Premium Seating: The Calligraphy trim offers Nappa leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats.
- Third-Row Space: While the third row is suitable for children or short trips, adults may find it cramped for extended journeys.
- Cargo Capacity: With all seats in use, the boot provides 628 litres of space, expandable to 1,949 litres with the second and third rows folded flat. This flexibility makes it perfect for weekend getaways.
- Tech and Connectivity: The 12.3-inch touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluelink connected services. The dual wireless charging pads ensure your devices stay powered on the go.
Off-Road Performance
The XRT Peak Off-Road Pack significantly enhances the Santa Fe’s off-road capabilities, making it suitable for light to moderate off-road adventures. Key improvements include:
- Increased Ground Clearance: The additional 30mm lift provides better approach (19°), departure (22°), and breakover (19°) angles, making it easier to tackle uneven terrain.
- Sand Mode: Optimises traction on loose surfaces like beaches, ensuring a smoother drive.
- All-Terrain Tyres: These 245/70R17 tyres improve grip and durability on rough surfaces.
However, the Santa Fe Hybrid’s limitations become apparent in extreme off-road scenarios. Its 210mm ground clearance and AWD system are not designed for hardcore trails or deep water crossings.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Hyundai has equipped the Santa Fe Hybrid with a comprehensive suite of safety features, earning it a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Key highlights include:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: With pedestrian and cyclist detection.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring: Includes a view monitor for enhanced visibility.
- Lane Keeping and Following Assist: Ensures you stay centred in your lane.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance: Adds an extra layer of protection when reversing.
- Bluelink Connectivity: Features like remote start, geofencing, and vehicle diagnostics enhance convenience and security.
Likes and Dislikes
What We Like:
- Hybrid Efficiency: Excellent fuel economy for a seven-seater SUV.
- Off-Road Capability: XRT enhancements make it a capable off-road companion.
- Spacious Cabin: Family-friendly with ample cargo space.
- Premium Features: Heated and ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, and advanced safety tech.
- Rugged Design: The XRT styling adds an adventurous vibe.
What Could Be Improved:
- Price: At $92,000 drive-away, the Santa Fe Hybrid XRT is expensive for its segment.
- Third-Row Comfort: Cramped for adults on long trips.
- Off-Road Limitations: Not suitable for extreme terrain despite XRT enhancements.
- Wind Noise: The roof rack adds noticeable wind noise at highway speeds.
- Brown Leather Option: Divisive styling choice that might not appeal to all buyers.
Ownership Experience
Hyundai offers a robust ownership package for the Santa Fe Hybrid, including:
- Warranty: Five years, unlimited kilometres.
- Roadside Assistance: Complimentary for the first 12 months, extendable with regular servicing.
- Servicing: Intervals of 12 months or 15,000km, with prepaid service packages available.
Verdict: A Family SUV with a Wild Side
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid XRT is a compelling option for buyers seeking a practical yet adventurous family SUV. Its hybrid powertrain, premium features, and XRT off-road enhancements make it a versatile choice for urban commutes and weekend escapades. While it’s not a hardcore off-roader, it’s more than capable of handling light trails and beach drives.
For those willing to invest in its premium price tag, the Santa Fe Hybrid XRT offers a unique blend of efficiency, comfort, and rugged capability. If you’re in the market for a seven-seater SUV that can tackle a bit of everything, this vehicle deserves a spot on your shortlist.
