The introduction of the fifth-generation Santa Fe not only marks the arrival of Hyundai SA’s first hybrid-engined model, but it also sees the company’s longstanding SUV adopt a new tack by taking a more family-car-focused tilt at the segment norms. Marginally larger than its predecessor in every direction but sitting lower to the tarmac and possessed of striking, boxy bodywork that accommodates a spacious seven-seater cabin, the new Hyundai Santa Fe’s packaging appears to bridge the gap between an SUV and an MPV.
While the Santa Fe has perennially adopted a traditional large-SUV position in Hyundai’s product lineup – and is still listed as an SUV – the new car’s packaging appears to have blurred the lines somewhat. Noting a shift in customer requirements in recent years, the folks at Hyundai have placed less emphasis on all-road ability. Instead, the likes of greater space, comfort, and family-focused practicality were becoming the new driving factors in buying decisions. And it shows in the latest car’s execution.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Specifications
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- Price: R1 249 900
- Powertrain: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol + electric motor
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Driven wheels: all
- Power: 175 kW @ 5 600 r/min
- Torque: 367 N.m @ 1 000-4 100 r/min
Road Test: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Posted August 14, 2025
By: CAR magazine
Hyundai’s first SA-market hybrid blurs the line between SUV and MPV. We evaluate the new Santa Fe in a comprehensive road test.
The introduction of the fifth-generation Santa Fe not only marks the arrival of Hyundai SA’s first hybrid-engined model, but it also sees the company’s longstanding SUV adopt a new tack by taking a more family-car-focused tilt at the segment norms. Marginally larger than its predecessor in every direction but sitting lower to the tarmac and possessed of striking, boxy bodywork that accommodates a spacious seven-seater cabin, the new Hyundai Santa Fe’s packaging appears to bridge the gap between an SUV and an MPV.
While the Santa Fe has perennially adopted a traditional large-SUV position in Hyundai’s product lineup – and is still listed as an SUV – the new car’s packaging appears to have blurred the lines somewhat. Noting a shift in customer requirements in recent years, the folks at Hyundai have placed less emphasis on all-road ability. Instead, the likes of greater space, comfort, and family-focused practicality were becoming the new driving factors in buying decisions. And it shows in the latest car’s execution.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Specifications
-
- Price: R1 249 900
- Powertrain: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol + electric motor
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Driven wheels: all
- Power: 175 kW @ 5 600 r/min
- Torque: 367 N.m @ 1 000-4 100 r/min
The new Santa Fe is spun off the same Hyundai-Kia N3 platform as the previous model, but is about as visually far-removed from its predecessor as can be. The angular styling and (very boxy) two-box profile are a far cry from the more curvaceous lines of the previous car and play host to some eye-catching lighting features, front and rear, that incorporate the firm’s H-shaped LED signature elements. From some aspects, there remains some SUV-based traits, but there’s also the impression that the abovementioned desire to better cover the functionality bases have seen some MPV woven into the Santa Fe’s makeup.
It’s certainly striking, with the frontal aspect in particular drawing plenty of approval from passersby, but the bluff-sided rear, with its low-sited brakelamp arrays, drew mixed reactions. It must, however, be noted that the design isn’t just there to draw attention; there is a very practical reasoning to this unusual arrangement. According to Sang Yup Lee, Hyundai’s head of global design, this unusual setup was adopted so room what would otherwise be occupied by tailgate struts in the rear pillars could instead be utilised to provide a larger opening for the luggage compartment. And it certainly works as this broad aperture, along with a surprisingly low load height afforded by a lesser ground clearance compared with the previous car’s (more on that later), means access to the boot is a cinch, even for shorter folks.
That boxy tail also plays host to an impressive boot. Even the rearmost seats in place, there’s a handy 136 litres of loadspace available. In standard five-seat configuration, this grows to 584 litres, while dropping all the seats turns the Santa Fe into a veritable van, swallowing 1 448 litres-worth of our ISO measuring blocks, so that’s the likes of shopping/family weekend away/dogs/sports gear lugging easily covered.
There’s a similar sense of utility-driven design in the cabin, where the adoption of a column-mounted gear shifter frees up room in the centre console for a pair of wireless phone charging pads and two cup holders, and a modular centre storage box that can be easily accessed by front and rear occupants. There’s also a an MPV-esque air to the rear passenger compartment owing to such elements as acres of leg- and headroom for the second-row seats (which are also heated), window blinds, second- and third-row air-con vents, a brace of cup holders in each door, USB-C ports, and plenty of light coming in through the panoramic glass roof.
As the sole model-line offering on our market, the Elite-spec (Hyundai speak for range-topping) Santa Fe is very generously equipped. Among the standout features are a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a full ADAS suite (blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, forward collision braking, adaptive cruise control and the like), PDC with 360-degree camera, electrically adjustable leather seats with heating and ventilation, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, and an electric tailgate.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Interior Dimensions
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- Front headroom: 810-920 mm
- Second-row headroom/kneeroom: 865/665 mm
- Third-row headroom/kneeroom: 825/465 mm
- Boot/utility space: 136-584/1 448 litres
On the road, the blurred lines between the Santa Fe’s SUV and MPV bearings don’t become any clearer, but that’s by no means a bad thing. Sitting lower to the tarmac (177 mm of ground clearance versus the outgoing car’s 206 mm) you’re aware that your seating position, although pleasantly elevated, isn’t as commanding as that of most SUVs in this bracket. But allied as it is with a wider stance than that of the outgoing car and a lower centre of gravity, it does make it feel more connected to the road.
There’s little in the way of road and wind noise permeating the solidly built cabin, making progress feel pleasingly composed, and the ride quality is impressively absorbent – likely an upshot of the uprated bump stops fitted to the MacPherson front/multilink rear suspension. Although it features a front-biased AWD system that pumps drive to the rear when required and plays host to traction control-based terrain driving modes (sand, mud and snow) that low ground clearance and long overhangs mean you’re unlikely to do anything more than a spot of light off-roading. Even so, a quick run along some heavily rutted and loose-surfaced dirt roads was a composed affair that didn’t succumb to bump steer or excessive noise and vibrations entering the cabin.
While there is no doubt some misgivings about the omission of a diesel powertrain – and we’re quite enamoured with Hyundai’s four-cylinder oil-burners – it must be said that the hybrid acquits itself very well here. Comprising a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine with an integrated starter motor nestled in the six-speed transmission and an electric drive motor with 44 kW and 264 N.m on tap, this setup is good for combined outputs of 175 kW and 367 N.m.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Test Results
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- 0-100 km/h acceleration: 8.92 seconds
- 100-0 km/h braking: 2.60 seconds/36.28 metres
- Fuel route: 7.38 L/100 km
The electric starter motor makes the start/stop and electric-to-ICE transitions smooth and allows the ICE to uncouple when coasting. The traction motor – fed by a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that’s topped up by a regenerative braking system with three levels of feed – not only provides extra power to the petrol engine when required but can also propel the car solely on electric power at speeds of up to 40 km/h and distances of up to 58 km, albeit with a carefully modulated throttle. With these technologies in play, the Hyundai not only has plenty of pulling power but is also impressively frugal, returning just 7.38 L/100 km under mixed use during our testing period.
Test Summary
Given that its broad spread of talents means that the Santa Fe potentially falls into the ‘neither fish nor fowl’ category – being difficult to accurately define – it’s a pleasant surprise to see just how good a vehicle has resulted.
Granted, It’s quite a departure from its predecessors, but its ability to weave some MPV-like space and utility into a stylish and more town-friendly SUV package, along with an impressively frugal powerplant, makes it an unusual but very appealing option for families looking for a practical yet (mild) adventure-ready set of wheels.
