Hyundai Santa Fe 2026 Review: A Surprising Family SUV Contender
Last month, Christopher Sharp, a reporter for Trendswatch, embarked on a week-long trial with CarsGuide's 2026 Car of the Year, the Hyundai Santa Fe, to assess its real-world performance and uncover any surprises. The verdict? A compelling alternative to traditional luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes.
Testing the 2026 Car of the Year
In a market saturated with family-sized SUVs, from the Land Rover Defender and KIA EV9 to the Mercedes G-Wagen and Volkswagen Tayronn, the Hyundai Santa Fe stands out as a top contender. Priced at £55,895, the Hybrid Ultimate model tested features a 1.6T 239PS hybrid engine, automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, seven seats, and a spacious boot. Measuring 4.8m long, 2.2m wide, and 1.72m high, it offers boot space ranging from 620 litres with seats up to 1,949 litres when folded flat.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Inside, the Santa Fe impresses with its driver-focused amenities. The car includes memory settings for seat and steering wheel positions, automatically adjusting upon entry. The infotainment system combines haptic touch pads, screens, and dials, though adjusting heated seats and air conditioning on the move can be cumbersome. Additional features include a massive sunroof, a cavernous storage compartment between driver and passenger, and six charging ports—four plugged and two wireless. The interior proved comfortable during a long trip to Caffeine and Machine, with no discomfort reported.
Seating and Practicality
The middle row seats are heated and come with side window blinds, while the rear seats include phone chargers and cup holders. However, one owner noted that the third row's air conditioning is inaccessible to second-row passengers, which may be unnecessary if the rear seats are rarely used. The seats can be easily folded using toggles, enhancing practicality for family needs.
Driving Experience and Aesthetics
Despite its large size, the Santa Fe drives more like a small estate or hatchback, offering nimble handling in urban settings like London. The steering provides excellent feedback, and the hybrid system efficiently balances power and battery charging. While it can run on electric-only mode briefly, it primarily operates in eco mode, with terrain modes available for winter conditions. Aesthetically, it replicates a cool, boxy style better than the Land Rover Defender, with flat cornering and minimal understeer. Lane assist is non-intrusive and easy to disable.
Flaws and Final Verdict
The Santa Fe is not without its drawbacks. The third-row amenities should be relocated to the second row, and haptic touch pads would benefit from being replaced with buttons. The four-cylinder engine can sound strained when charging the battery, even at 50 percent capacity, raising questions about efficiency. Despite these minor issues, the Santa Fe has changed perceptions about SUVs leaning too heavily on sportiness. For families seeking a capable, non-German SUV, it's worth considering. Christopher Sharp rates it 7.5 out of 10.
