2024 Hyundai Santa Fe First Impressions Review | Philkotse Philippines

Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) is on a roll when it comes to introducing new models under its belt. The Korean car brand launched two vehicles last October 2023, the Stargazer X and the Custin, which aim to shake up the MPV and minivan segments in the Philippines. 

While some thought that Hyundai Philippines would slow down towards the end of 2023, the car brand did the opposite as it previewed the next-generation Santa Fe crossover SUV in December. Hyundai PH even said it will officially launch the 2024 Santa Fe in the first quarter of 2024. 

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

True to its promise, HMPH has officially revealed the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe, which is available in three variants with a starting price of Php 2,410,000 while the top-spec Calligraphy All-Wheel Drive trim retails at Php 3,100,000.

HMPH invited Philkotse to get a closer look at the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe while giving us a brief seat time with the top-spec Calligraphy variant. Here’s our first impressions review of the next-gen 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. 

It is huge–this is probably the easiest way to describe how the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe looks like when seen in the metal. Its size, complemented by sharp character lines, allows the Santa Fe to have a commanding stance resulting in an assertive overall look. 

The boxy body design is a nice touch as it gives some sort of retro vibes to the Santa Fe. Some might even find the new Hyundai Santa Fe as a modern reincarnation of how SUVs look like from the past. Despite having a retro vibe, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe isn’t exactly like a fossil specimen of old SUVs since it is integrated with modern-looking design elements. 

It comes with a boxy exterior

The Korean automaker has put distinctive design elements that make the all-new Santa Fe unmistakably a Hyundai. How so? By placing an “H” design motif all over the vehicle. The LED headlights are integrated with H-shaped daytime running lights while the light bar that connects the headlamps also creates an H shape. The said design motif is also seen on the Santa Fe’s muscular bumper. 

 Prominent fender flares

Turning to the side, the design detail that stood out the most in my book is the vehicle’s prominent fender flares that are accented by a gloss black trim. The fender flares further emphasize the Santa Fe’s massive size, and it also adds texture to the vehicle’s boxy exterior. Meanwhile, the 21-inch wheels fitted on the Calligraphy trim add a premium look to the Santa Fe. It also has roof rails, making it a camping or glamping-ready seven-seater crossover SUV. 
  
H elements seen on the taillights

The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe’s rear is perhaps the most interesting when it comes to the overall exterior design. The LED taillights are positioned lower than usual, which could be a polarizing design element. But, if you ask me, I like how Hyundai positioned it as it gives the Santa Fe a distinctive look compared to its segment rivals such as the Ford Explorer. And oh, I bet you didn’t miss spotting the H design motif on the taillights, a nice touch from Hyundai.  

The next-gen Hyundai Santa Fe also comes with a powered tailgate with height adjustment. Moreover, the tailgate has a lower entry point and a wider opening, which can be utilized for tailgate parties, glamping, or camping. 

The Philippine-spec 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a black interior theme, which I think is a sensible choice rather than having it in white. The black interior allows you more leeway to be a bit carefree whenever you ride onboard the Santa Fe. 

Modern-looking steering wheel

Plus, it makes the Santa Fe a more adventure-ready vehicle as you don’t need to mind staining it with dirt. Although, Hyundai Philippines said that the Forest Green interior theme for the top-spec Calligraphy variant is available in indent order.

Complementing the black interior is the modern-looking dashboard that sort of has a British-inspired finish. But, the black cabin theme allowed the Hyundai Santa Fe to have its own look or identity. It doesn’t look as “British” anymore as compared to having a white interior.

Horizontal lines dominate the dashboard, and the H design motif is once again seen in the Santa Fe’s interior. You can spot it on the aircon vents, ambient light on the dash, and a little bit on the steering wheel. 

Steering column-mounted shift lever

Of note, the Santa Fe comes with paddle shifters while the shift lever is mounted on the steering column, the same design approach seen on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicle.

The top-spec 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy trim has Nappa leather, giving a premium-like feel when you’re inside the vehicle. The seat cushion is nice with good lower back support. 

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's second row seats

Up to three average-sized Filipino adults standing 5’7” can sit on the second row with sufficient leg- and head-room. The backseat pocket of the front passenger seats is integrated with an H motif design, which mimics how the Santa Fe’s headlights and daytime running lights look like.  

The third-row seat can accommodate two passengers, and as an individual who stands 5’5”, sitting in the last row is not that bothersome. The second-row seats also have a slide function, which can offer more legroom to third-row passengers. Individuals seated at the farthest row are also treated with aircon vents and USB ports.

Look at all that space

The Santa Fe’s cargo space is massive, allowing you to fit five to seven overnight bags with the third-row seats up. The second- and third-row seats can be folded for maximum cargo space.

The Santa Fe has a unified screen in front of the driver featuring two 12.3-inch screens for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen. The digital gauge cluster has good resolution, and the display on the screen is legible even when driven under the sun. 

12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen

The infotainment touchscreen, on the other hand, has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. I haven’t had the time to connect my phone to the Santa Fe’s Apple CarPlay but the screen is responsive as expected. 

The touchscreen doubles as a monitor for the vehicle’s 360-degree camera system, which offers multiple views for safer navigation. The camera system’s resolution is crisp enough for the vehicle’s price point but expect a more detailed impression on this once we fully review the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe. 

Wireless charging pads

It also has dual-zone climate control, a wireless charger, and power front seats. The Calligraphy model goes further with ‘powered relaxation seats’ with ventilation and heating, with the driver having a memory function.

In terms of safety, the Santa Fe has eight airbags along with the standard features you can expect from modern cars. It also has Hyundai Smartsense tech that includes the following: Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot View Monitor with Collision Avoidance Assist, and Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, among others.

The PH-spec all-new Hyundai Santa Fe has two engine options. The GLS 2WD and AWD trims come with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine that puts out 191 horsepower and 246 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Powered by a 2.5-liter turbo gasoline engine

The top-spec 2024 Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD variant, on the other hand, is equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that delivers 277 hp and 422 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

I was able to drive the top-spec Santa Fe Calligraphy variant around a test track prepared by Hyundai Philippines. The said test track featured a simulation of tight turns as well as a slalom course and an acceleration and braking course. 

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe drives comfortably despite its huge size. Navigating through the test course was a breeze thanks to the Santa Fe’s light steering. Despite the light feel, the vehicle’s steering wheel still has enough road feedback allowing me to drive through the tight turns relatively easily. 

The Santa Fe also has a plush ride with minimal body lean. I initially thought that it would have a noticeable body lean when I took on the slalom course but the Santa Fe proved me wrong as it showcases its agility–which is commendable for a vehicle of its size.

The 2.5-liter turbo gasoline engine delivers adequate power as I tested the Santa Fe’s acceleration. There’s a slight delay in power delivery when accelerating from a standstill but it’s not that bothersome. Another thing that’s worth noting is the vehicle’s braking power, which showed its capability as it halted the Santa Fe coming from a hard acceleration without sweat. It is stable and the rear doesn’t complain when the vehicle is subjected to sudden braking. 

Driving through unpaved roads is also not a problem for the Santa Fe. Hyundai’s seven-seater crossover SUV absorbs road imperfections well as it cushions the bumps I encountered on the dirt track. The suspension tuning leans a bit more on the soft side, which allows it to minimize road impacts better.

The design details on the exterior and interior are on point and well-thought-off, giving the all-new Santa Fe a brute look along with a premium cabin. It has the size, which translates to a roomy interior as well as flexible cargo loading options. 

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

It also rides well as it absorbs road imperfection within reason, which is a good sign for those potential car buyers who plan to use the Santa Fe as their daily urban jungle chariot. The 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine delivers adequate power but expect a more detailed impression on it once we fully review the next-gen Santa Fe.   

That said, the all-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe seems to be a solid choice if you’re in the market for a seven-seater crossover SUV that offers a distinctive look, a roomy cabin, flexible cargo loading options, and a vehicle that’s ready for adventure.