Great size, gas millage, and value but a few small tech annoyances
What I like.
• Great fuel economy: I drive very conservatively, never speed, and have an easy daily commute. Even so, I'm consistently averaging better than the EPA-rated 36 MPG, at least during my first year of ownership.
• Roomy for a compact SUV: I love the center console design. The side-by-side phone storage and cup holders are far more practical than vertically stacked layouts, and the extra storage underneath is a great bonus. The second-row bench is surprisingly spacious. Even with two child seats installed side by side, another passenger can still sit comfortably next to them. The third row is also impressively roomy for such a compact SUV. My wife, kids, and I are all relatively slender and not very tall, and we feel very comfortable in this vehicle. Accessing the third row isn't always the easiest, but it works well for a family of seven.
• Technology and interior controls:** The dual 12-inch screens are excellent. Having one dedicated to the instrument cluster and the other for navigation, music, and vehicle settings makes everything easy to see and use. I also appreciate that Hyundai kept physical controls for important functions like climate control, volume, and hazard lights. It strikes a great balance between touchscreen functionality and traditional buttons. The interface itself is intuitive and easy to navigate, and I like that Hyundai offers both free and paid display themes along with some customization options. While I'd love to see even more personalization features added in future updates, I end up using Android Auto most of the time anyway.
What I Don't Like
• Limited cargo space with all seven seats in use: When all seven seats are occupied, cargo space is understandably limited. You can fit a small stroller—or even a double stroller—plus a few small bags, but that's about it. That said, I don't use the cargo storage all that much and when I do I find a way, perhaps the kids are not with my when I make a big grocery run and it's probably still among the best in its class for a compact three-row SUV. If you need significantly more cargo room, you'll likely have to move up to the Palisade, though fuel economy won't be as good as the Santa Fe. If you are traveling somewhere far like a vacation trip, perhaps one of those storage containers on top or a small trailer.
• Over-the-air updates can be frustrating: On one hand, I really appreciate the over-the-air updates because they continue to add useful features and improvements. However, the update process itself is annoying. Ideally, I'd like to park the car, get out, and let the update finish on its own. Instead, if you exit the vehicle before the process is complete, then it just cancels and never finishes. This means the next time you get in the car it will prompt you about the update again and if you want it to go through then you need to turn the car off and sit in the car waiting for it (approximately 2-5 minutes). Yes the updates are not long, and easy to apply, but still annoying to have to sit through.
• Power-folding mirrors: I like having folding mirrors, but my single biggest complaint is that I wish they only unfolded when the engine starts. Right now, they unfold whenever you approach the vehicle with your phone or key fob. This becomes especially annoying in a garage or tight parking space because the mirror can open directly into your walking path. At home, it's frustrating when unloading groceries—the mirrors constantly fold when you walk away and unfold again when you return. If Hyundai could address this with an over-the-air update, it would significantly improve my overall experience with the vehicle.
• Recalls and long-term reliability concerns: I like that Hyundai is constantly introducing new car designs and features, but it sometimes feels like they may be moving a bit too fast. In the first year alone, I’ve noticed several recalls across different models, including at least one affecting the Santa Fe related to the seat belt system. While recalls are not unusual in the industry, the frequency does raise some concern about long-term quality control and safety consistency.
Verified Owner
