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By Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Senior Editor, Autos, Travel and Lifestyle
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The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is a compelling choice for buyers. Its two-rows of seating, unique styling, good features list and price tag are enough to warrant the next-generation family SUV a test drive.
After nearly 600 miles behind the wheel in one week, I discovered exactly what there is to love about the Santa Fe, and a few things I'd be quick to change if I was Hyundai.
KEEP: The seats
Hyundai and Kia continue to do what their sister brand Genesis cannot - make comfortable seats. After more than 500 miles on the road in the span of 36 hours, five hours straight of driving included in that, my posterior was not tired nor was I in need of an epic back stretch.
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CHANGE: The back end
The front of the Santa Fe is so unique and modern. Its rear is, well, dumpy diaper-like. What could be an aesthetically really good vehicle overall is instead looking like a cargo space play to the well-schooled insider. To an outsider like the sexagenarians and septuagenarians in my family, it looks misplaced, especially if you're riding in a sedan or coupe behind it at a lower angle.
KEEP: Wireless charging pads
The center console of the Hyundai Santa Fe is a thing of beauty. No, not aesthetically, but from a practicality standpoint it is fantastic. There are buttons and knobs that allow choice not just for climate control but also charging. Owners can charge via cable, wirelessly, and chose which device is controlling the infotainment system via plug and button without having to go screens deep.
The charging pads also win points for their ease of use (three green buttons that can be easily seen while on the indicate if the phone is charging) and the way they hold the phone to the pad.
No matter where I drove during my road trip from Atlanta to Nashville and back, the phone stayed put when I wanted it to. Given how many times I've taken a turn and heard my phone fly off a charging pad and into the front passenger seat's footwell, I very much appreciated not having that be a concern in the Santa Fe.
CHANGE: Automatic high beam headlights
The Hyundai Santa Fe's high beams provide good light for driving rural country roads in the pitch darkness. Their reaction time once sensing darkness ahead is very good. But, they don't sense oncoming light as well as I, and those passing me headed in the other direction, would have liked.
CHANGE: Responsiveness of infotainment system
Once working, the Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment screen mirrored my smartphone with ease. However, it always took longer than I thought it should for it to pair. One time, I was four blocks down the road from picking my car up at valet before it decided to display. Another time, I was most of the way out of my neighborhood.
What we tested: Newsweek test drove a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy in Serenity White for this review. The SUV has a starting price of $46,750 with a $1,415 destination charge added on.
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