Santa Fe hybrid returns with smoother driving experience

Hyundai Motor's Santa Fe is unarguably one of the nation's most beloved mid-size family SUVs, proven by its enduring solid sales.

The vehicle has recently undergone a full redesign with a squared-off rear end. The 2024 Santa Fe hybrid with a 1.6-turbo hybrid engine is on course to tighten its strong position in the segment, as more customers eye versatile hybrid vehicles amid global slowdown in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

The Santa Fe SUV is moving to lessen its wild image and focus more on offering smooth driving experiences, which was my first impression when I had the chance to drive the vehicle for an hour in Seoul.

When the vehicle accelerates, the EV mode turns on at a low speed with silence. When it picks up more speed, the vehicle is then powered by the gasoline turbo engine, which is still quiet enough to enjoy a smooth city drive.

The exterior is designed with a more futuristic and squared look, giving customers an image that the vehicle is seeking to maintain its masculine identity, even if its driving experience shows otherwise.

The vehicle also elevates comfortable driving experiences with a first-row driver's Ergo Motion Seat. When I took another two-hour drive outside Seoul, the motion seat operated from time to time, massaging the back of the driver, definitely lessening fatigue for long-distance drivers.

The second- and third-row seats were spacious enough for campers and big families. The vehicle's trunk capacity is 725 liters, and the second- and third-row seats are completely foldable.

Santa Fe is the biggest rival of Kia's Sorento SUV. Sales for both vehicles have been neck-and-neck for the past few years. According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Sorento maintains its leadership in the domestic auto sales figure of 19,516 for the first two months combined this year.

Santa Fe comes in second with sales of 17,651 during the same period, posing a lingering threat to the leader and other competitors from imported automakers.

One downside was its less impressive fuel efficiency in that it is equipped with the latest hybrid engine by Hyundai Motor. The vehicle displayed a fuel efficiency of around 10 to 12 kilometers per liter after I drove the vehicle for almost 200 kilometers in the city and the highway combined.