When Hyundai redesigned the Santa Fe for 2025, they certainly didn’t hold back on making bold design choices. After spending considerable time behind the wheel of the turbocharged petrol variant, I can confidently say this isn’t your typical family hauler. The Korean manufacturer has crafted something that manages to be both practical and distinctive—a combination that’s surprisingly rare in today’s SUV landscape. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T review covering performance, interior features, pricing, and real-world driving experience. Expert insights included.
Bold Design Philosophy Meets Practical Engineering
The first thing that strikes you about this new Santa Fe is its uncompromising visual presence. Hyundai’s designers have embraced a squared-off aesthetic that makes most other three-row SUVs look somewhat generic by comparison. It’s polarizing, sure, but in a segment filled with vanilla styling, the Santa Fe’s angular approach feels refreshing.
This design philosophy extends beyond mere aesthetics. The boxy proportions translate directly into interior space benefits, something that becomes immediately apparent once you climb inside. Unlike many competitors that prioritize sleek exterior lines at the expense of cabin room, Hyundai has clearly prioritized function alongside form.
Under the Hood: Turbocharged Performance
Engine Specifications and Real-World Performance
The heart of our test vehicle is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a healthy 206 kilowatts of power and 422 Newton-meters of torque. These numbers place it firmly in the middle of the competitive set, though the way this engine delivers its power feels more engaging than many rival powerplants.
During our testing period, which included everything from congested city driving to extended highway cruising, the turbo-four proved surprisingly refined. Unlike some forced-induction engines that feel artificially boosted, this unit provides linear power delivery that feels natural and responsive.
Transmission Dynamics and Driving Characteristics
Hyundai has paired this engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission—a choice that brings both benefits and drawbacks. In ideal conditions, particularly during highway driving, the transmission shifts with impressive smoothness and responds quickly to throttle inputs. The gear changes are barely perceptible during steady-state cruising, contributing to an overall sense of refinement.
However, the dual-clutch technology shows its limitations in stop-and-go traffic scenarios. The transmission struggles with low-speed crawling, occasionally delivering jerky engagement as it manages the clutch packs. While this behavior isn’t uncommon for dual-clutch systems, it’s worth noting for buyers who frequently encounter heavy traffic conditions.
Interior Design and Comfort Analysis
Cabin Layout and Materials Quality
Stepping inside the Santa Fe reveals an interior that maintains the exterior’s geometric design language while prioritizing user-friendliness. The dashboard layout follows a logical hierarchy, with frequently used controls positioned within easy reach of the driver. Material quality throughout the cabin feels appropriate for the price point, though some hard plastics are evident in areas you’re unlikely to touch regularly.
The seats deserve particular praise for their supportive design and quality leather upholstery. Both front seats offer multiple adjustment options, and even during extended driving sessions, we experienced minimal fatigue. The perforated leather adds a premium touch, though lighter colors will require more maintenance to keep looking fresh.
Technology Integration and User Experience
The infotainment system centers around a 12.3-inch touchscreen that manages to avoid the overly complex interfaces plaguing some modern vehicles. Menu structures are intuitive, and response times are consistently snappy. Wireless smartphone integration works reliably, and the system includes enough physical shortcut buttons to minimize diving into sub-menus while driving.
The digital instrument cluster provides a clean, easily readable display that complements the central touchscreen nicely. Information is well-organized, and the customization options allow drivers to prioritize the data most important to them.
Space Efficiency and Practicality
Second-Row Comfort and Accessibility
The Santa Fe’s second row offers genuinely impressive space, with ample legroom and headroom for adult passengers. The sliding and reclining functionality allows occupants to find their preferred seating position, while the fold-and-tumble mechanism for third-row access operates smoothly and doesn’t require excessive effort.
Storage solutions throughout the second row are thoughtfully implemented, with multiple cup holders, device charging options, and storage pockets positioned where passengers actually need them. The dedicated air vents help maintain comfort for rear passengers, an often-overlooked detail that makes a significant difference during longer journeys.
Third-Row Viability and Cargo Capacity
While no large SUV truly excels at providing luxury-car comfort in the third row, the Santa Fe makes a respectable effort. Adults can occupy these seats for reasonable distances, though they’re clearly intended primarily for children or teenagers. The fact that Hyundai has included dedicated air vents and USB charging ports demonstrates their commitment to making this space genuinely usable.
Cargo capacity varies dramatically depending on seating configuration. With all three rows in use, storage is limited to soft bags and smaller items. However, folding the third row creates a substantial cargo area that should handle most family hauling duties with ease.
Driving Dynamics and On-Road Behavior
Ride Quality and Handling Balance
Hyundai’s suspension engineers have achieved an admirable balance between comfort and control. The Santa Fe absorbs road imperfections with composure, never feeling floaty or unsettled over larger bumps. This compliance doesn’t come at the expense of handling precision—the SUV maintains reasonable body control through corners and feels stable at highway speeds.
Steering feel strikes an appropriate balance between effort and feedback. It’s light enough for easy parking maneuvers but weights up progressively as speeds increase. The various drive modes adjust steering weight and transmission behavior, though the differences are subtle rather than dramatic.
Real-World Fuel Economy and Efficiency
During our comprehensive testing, which included approximately 60% highway driving and 40% urban/suburban conditions, we achieved fuel consumption figures very close to Hyundai’s official claims. While the turbocharged engine can’t match the efficiency of hybrid competitors, it provides a straightforward ownership experience without the complexity of dual powertrains.
Extended highway driving yielded the best results, with consumption dropping into the low 9-liter per 100-kilometer range. City driving predictably increased consumption, but not to unreasonable levels considering the vehicle’s size and performance capabilities.
Safety Technology and Driver Assistance
Active Safety Systems Performance
The Santa Fe comes equipped with Hyundai’s comprehensive suite of safety technologies, most of which operate unobtrusively in the background. The adaptive cruise control system maintains smooth following distances and responds appropriately to traffic flow changes. Lane-keeping assistance provides gentle steering inputs without the intrusive corrections some systems exhibit.
One area that requires patience is the speed limit recognition system, which can be overly sensitive and occasionally inaccurate. Fortunately, Hyundai provides an intuitive method to temporarily disable audible warnings, which many owners will likely use regularly.
Passive Safety and Build Quality
The Santa Fe has earned strong safety ratings from independent testing organizations, reflecting Hyundai’s commitment to occupant protection. The body structure feels solid and well-assembled, with consistent panel gaps and quality paint finish throughout our test vehicle.
Value Proposition and Competitive Positioning
Pricing and Equipment Levels
At its current pricing structure, the Santa Fe 2.5T Elite represents solid value in the large SUV segment. The standard equipment list is comprehensive, including features that are optional on many competitors. While the top-specification Calligraphy variant pushes into premium territory, the Elite strikes an attractive balance between features and affordability.
Market Competition and Alternatives
The Santa Fe faces strong competition from established players like the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-80, along with its corporate sibling, the Kia Sorento. Each competitor brings distinct strengths, but the Santa Fe’s combination of distinctive styling, comprehensive equipment, and strong warranty coverage helps it stand out in a crowded field.
Ownership Experience and Long-Term Considerations
Warranty Coverage and Service Network
Hyundai’s five-year unlimited-kilometer warranty provides excellent peace of mind for new car buyers. The service network is well-established throughout Australia, and capped-price servicing helps owners budget for maintenance costs. Service intervals are reasonable, and the required maintenance doesn’t appear overly complex or expensive.
Predicted Reliability and Resale Value
While it’s too early to make definitive statements about long-term reliability, Hyundai’s recent track record suggests the Santa Fe should prove dependable with proper maintenance. Resale values for Hyundai vehicles have improved significantly in recent years, though they still typically lag behind premium brands.
A Distinctive Choice in a Crowded Market
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T succeeds in creating a genuinely different proposition in the large SUV segment. Its bold styling won’t appeal to everyone, but for buyers seeking something distinctive without sacrificing practicality, it represents an compelling choice.
The turbocharged engine provides adequate performance with reasonable fuel consumption, while the interior offers genuine seven-seat capability in a thoughtfully designed package. Some minor transmission quirks and overly sensitive safety systems prevent it from achieving perfection, but these issues are manageable in daily use.
For families requiring genuine three-row capability without premium pricing, the Santa Fe 2.5T Elite emerges as a strong contender that deserves serious consideration alongside more conventional alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the fuel economy of the 2.5T engine compare to the hybrid version?
The 2.5T turbocharged engine averages around 9.3L/100km in mixed driving conditions, while the hybrid variant achieves approximately 5.6L/100km.
Q: Is the third row suitable for adults on longer journeys?
While the third row can accommodate adults for shorter trips, it’s primarily designed for children or teenagers.
Q: What are the main differences between the Elite and base model specifications?
The Elite adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a premium audio system, Highway Driving Assist, wireless phone charging, and powered passenger seat adjustment.