It feels like the other day when the Koreans entered the market with cars much cheaper than the European and Japanese makes and offering a whole lot more. People were naturally skeptical about the products but since grew to love them, fast forward to current day and there's a new country that is starting to dominate the markets with their brands and that is China. The Koreans have long established themselves and people love their offerings but the Chinese models being much more cheaper, bolder in designs and offering loads more tech just makes them hard to ignore, but what have their Asian neighbors who once enjoyed a large chunk of the market share doing about this "invasion", Hyundai still remains one of the world's largest motoring manufacturers and have a variety of models across the segments to rival just about anything from any brand but they too have been feeling the heat coming from China. I got to spend time with the latest Sante Fe to see if this model squares up to the competition.
DESIGN
The latest Santa Fe marks a bold shift in Hyundai’s styling direction: it trades soft curves for a more boxy, rugged, and squared-off look, reminiscent in places of upscale off-road machines. Key design features include prominent H-pattern LED daytime-running lights and tail lamps, in fact the H is so prominent in the front, I challenged people to count how man H's they could find! I lost count because there were so many! The squared wheel arches, wide-set 20-inch alloys, and a bluff front grille that lends it a strong road presence. From the side and rear, the angular roofline, large rear quarter windows, and pronounced roof rails emphasize its “tough family hauler” aesthetic. It's more masculine and rugged than previous iterations, and while that may please some, others may find the styling polarizing. Inside, the cabin steps up significantly in terms of luxury and modernity. Expect dual 12.3-inch curved displays (one for the digital instrument cluster, one for infotainment), soft-touch surfaces, Alcantara or synthetic leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and thoughtful layout touches like plentiful USB-C ports, wireless charging, and well-placed storage cubbies.
PERFORMANCE
In South Africa, the launch model is a hybrid AWD “Hybrid Elite” trim: a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with a 44 kW electric motor delivers about 175 kW (system output) and 367 Nm of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. There are selectable drive modes—Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart—and an AWD system with specialized terrain settings like mud, snow, and sand. These help adapt the car to different driving conditions. Hyundai claim a fuel efficiency average of around 7.5 l/100 km, but real-world driving with multiple occupants tends to hover more toward 8.6 l/100 km. As is typical for large SUVs, actual economy depends heavily on driving style and load. I must say though, it's the first hybrid drive-train I've driven from Hyundai and its near perfect, for such a big car to propel the electric engine really does well to cope with the short distance runs. I wish I had it a big longer to take it on a long road trip to see how it fairs but alas, my time with it was short.
COMFORT
The Sante Fe remains a big SUV, with ample amount of space for most of its occupants, I say most because we will discuss the third row seating in a bit. The ride and handling lean firmly toward comfort: the suspension is tuned to absorb road imperfections well, and onboard refinement is strong. Engine noise is well suppressed in most scenarios; the transition between electric and petrol modes in the hybrid setup is smooth and largely unobtrusive. Some criticisms exist around shift behaviour (more for non-hybrid turbo/ICE versions) and tightness in the third row legroom when fully occupied. As a true seven-seater, the Santa Fe offers good space for the first and second rows. The third row is usable—especially for children or smaller adults—for shorter trips. Legroom, headroom, and seat height have been improved compared to past generations. When the third row is up, trunk space drops notably; folding it (and then the second row) opens up a large, versatile cargo area, great for family travel or larger loads. Top trims bring amenities such as heated and ventilated front seats, dual sunroof, ambient lighting, a powerful Bose sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, powered tailgate, rear window curtains, and a host of driver-assistance and safety aids. The build quality feels premium, with quiet cabin insulation and materials that give a more upscale feel than older Santa Fe's. While usable, third-row seating is best suited to children or shorter trips for adults. It’s less spacious and the headroom/legroom don’t match the second row, also with the seats up means less luggage space.
VERDICT
The new Hyundai Santa Fe 7-Seater is a compelling choice for families who want space, comfort, and modern tech wrapped in a bold and purposeful design. Its hybrid powertrain delivers a nice balance of performance and efficiency, especially in everyday driving. The design and feature set push it closer to luxury territory without straying into exorbitant price tiers. However, if you regularly carry seven tall adults, demand maximum luggage space with all seats in place, or want razor-sharp, sporty handling, then you might want to explore rivals to see if those trade-offs favour you more.The latest Santa Fe is a solid evolution—not just a facelift. It firmly stakes its claim among premium family SUVs by leaning into bold design, roomy interiors, and well-judged hybrid performance. For most families, it strikes a very attractive balance between utility, comfort, and style.
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SPECIFICATION
| Engine | 1.6L Petrol Hybrid |
| 6-speed automatic | |
367Nm | |
Top Speed | 190km/h |
R1,249,900 |
