2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

That's no accident. Hyundai has said the car's design has been shaped around "the latest outdoor lifestyle trends." The Santa Fe, then, is being positioned as a more rugged alternative that blurs the line between a city-dwelling SUV and one that can handle roads less traveled. This is especially true of the new XRT model, which is an off-road-inspired offshoot of the ultra-luxe Calligraphy trim. The XRT takes the Santa Fe's adventuring cred to the next level with 30-inch all-terrain tires and an additional 1.5 inches of ground clearance over the street-oriented variants. There's no doubt the new Santa Fe will be one of the most interesting-looking vehicles in its class, and though its showstopping exterior might be what draws people in at first, it's the improved interior packaging and new technology that will seal the deal.

There's also a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine paired with a hybrid system, which also makes a comeback from the last-gen Santa Fe. Combined output from that powertrain is 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, running through a six-speed automatic transmission. Expect front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the Santa Fe to be offered once more.

Though the ground clearance of the new Santa Fe hasn't changed much from the last generation's 8.2 inches, Hyundai says that the vehicle will feature suspension changes including updated dampers, hydrobushings, and a more rigid chassis for greater stability. There's also an improved air filtration system to keep dust out of the cabin.

The assist delivered from the electric motor helps mask the diminutive size of the gasoline engine. Shifts from the six-speed automatic transmission are reasonably quick while remaining subtle and unobtrusive. But once you load the Santa Fe up with people and gear, we think the hybrid might start to feel a bit winded with the extra weight.

Largely unchanged for the 2024 Santa Fe is the way it goes down the road. Despite its more angular and blocky exterior styling, the Santa Fe feels far more gentle and serene than it looks. Steering effort is light but remains accurate, and the Hyundai proves easy to navigate down either a highway or a more narrow country road.

Visibility is also improved, and the Santa Fe's boxy styling should surely get the lion's share of the credit for the better views. The low dash looks out over a relatively flat hood and the tall side glass aids side-to-side visibility just as much as it helps mostly eliminate the rear-quarter blind spots. The Santa Fe also offers plenty of comfort for passengers of all sizes in the first two rows. The third row of seats is certainly a nice-to-have feature. You can fit adults in a pinch, but the third row is best suited for kids.

The second row can be had with captain's chairs or a bench, for six- or seven-passenger seating, respectively. Those captain's chairs offer power recline as an option. We also see the introduction of the Relaxation Seat that debuted in the Ioniq 5. This feature allows the seat to lean back into a nearly flat position with a leg rest that pops out as well, like a lie-flat seat on an airplane, making it an ideal spot for quick naps on the go. And second-row passengers will also have access to the center console between the front seats, thanks to a secondary opening at the rear of the console. Sounds like a great place to store (and share) some snacks.

The Santa Fe's rear cargo opening is massive. The taillights have been mounted low to allow the struts to move outward, so when the hatch lifts, it seems as though the entire rear of the car is opening up. The opening measures 50.2 inches across, an increase of 5.7 inches over the last-generation Santa Fe. This, combined with the flat-folding second row, creates easy loading into a large, flat cargo area that's perfect for bulky items or an inflatable bed. We still don't have all of the official cargo measurements from Hyundai, but cargo room behind the second-row is estimated at 40.5 cubic feet, an increase of 4.1 cubes.

Improving rearward visibility is a digital rearview mirror so even if the cargo area is full of suitcases, you'll be able to see behind you. There's also a secondary glovebox that comes with a UV sanitizer that works for phones, masks, or anything else that needs disinfecting.