Test driving the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy
Written by Marco Carvajal
I am test-driving the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, a modern redesigned SUV vehicle with the outdoor lifestyle in mind, ideally for light off-road use. It is a great buy for customers displeased by other brand’s high prices and expensive maintenance.
My trim model is the top-of-the-line Calligraphy that looks almost as luxurious as some of the prestigious European high-end SUVs.
Hyundai Santa Fe with a new look and three rows
If you are familiar with the previous Santa Fe you will be surprised with the new look and features of the new model. It looks like a new car model, forget everything you know about the Santa Fe and get ready for a completely new experience.
The Santa Fe includes three rows of seats standard, with a convenient 60/40 split, and good cargo space. A configuration of 6 or 7 seats is available depending on the trim model and 2nd-row captain’s chair style.
There is a reason why Santa Fe has been one of Hyundai’s best sellers, but now the new generation Santa Fe looks even more modern, trendy, and strong, and it is very appealing for younger drivers.
If we compare the Santa Fe to more premium Hyundai Models like the Hyundai Palisade, or other car-brand competitors, no other SUV can beat the Santa Fe’s pricing advantage, and that is where Santa Fe wins.
One more reason to buy a Hyundai Santa Fe, the 10-year Powertrain Limited Warranty
Hyundai’s generous warranty gives you one more reason to like the new Santa Fe, including a 10-year or 100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and a new car warranty of 5-year or 60,000 miles.
Also included free of charge is a 24-hour Roadside Assistance during 5 years with unlimited miles, and Hyundai’s complimentary maintenance standard.
The new 2024 Santa Fe SUV is very reliable and safe, it has been named IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK
Car drivers shopping for a new three-row SUV will find the new Santa Fe better than ever with a new design and tons of features. The new 2024 Santa Fe includes a great warranty, good exterior design, very low maintenance cost, and good quality.
Santa Fe Best Value SUV
Santa Fe is one of Hyundai’s best-value SUVs. It is the perfect middle size between the compact Tucson SUV and the larger midsize Palisade SUV.
The Santa Fe offers more internal room than the Hyundai Tucson and it is more accessible and maneuverable than the larger Hyundai Palisade.
The Santa Fe is one of the best sellers and most practical SUVs you can find in the Hyundai Brand. It is a very good buy, it looks luxurious and powerful, with a very low price starting at $33,950 MSRP.
If you have good credit, now in 2024, you can lease a Santa Fe SE for a low monthly price of $319 for 36 months with a $3,999 down.
Pricing is one of the key elements to Santa Fe’s successful sales, offering tons of standard and optional features for a low cost. Good pricing and value keep repeated buyers selecting the Santa Fe as their first choice SUV inside the Hyundai family.
The new Santa Fe features a wide range of next-generation engines that deliver greater efficiency and lower CO2 emissions including models with hybrid technology, combining electric and gasoline engines, expanding this popular SUV lineup.
This SUV offers a family-oriented interior, practically advanced technology, and a bold exterior that looks great but is priced with value and budget in mind.
The new 2024 Santa Fe is available in 5 trim models, SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and the top-of-the-line Calligraphy that I am driving.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy premium elegance and performance
The Hyundai Santa Fe is available in a few different trim model options and the best model is the Calligraphy.
When you drive a Santa Fe Calligraphy everything goes higher and more luxury, this is the top of the line.
The Calligraphy model is the top of the top for the Santa Fe. The luxury trim is loaded with all the top-tier features starting at $46,500 MSRP
The Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy is an SUV that combines luxury, technology, and performance to satisfy the most demanding drivers.
Squared design with a luxury exterior and interior
The Santa Fe Calligraphy features sophisticated styling that makes it stand out on the road. Its bold front grille and T-shaped LED lights give it a look unlike any other.
The elegant lines and attention to detail make this SUV a real pleasure to drive.
Inside, the Santa Fe Calligraphy offers space and comfort. Nappa leather seats provide support and luxury, and the second row features captain’s chairs are a great bonus for added comfort.
Technology is also present, with a 10.25-inch touch screen that includes navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto to always stay connected. Dual wireless device charging is a nice feature added.
The new fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe looks boxy, similar to a Range Rover and Land Rover with a glamorous outdoor look with square and rectangle shapes similar to the prestigious British car but for about half of the price.
This new Santa Fe brings its new three-row layout, designed to provoke a spirit of adventure and unity with nature that outdoor adventurers.
The new higher roofline allows for more headroom in the second row and passengers also enjoy more legroom than before. The third row is spacious enough to accommodate large adults in relative comfort.
The new SUV has been redesigned from the inside out, and back to front. Everything from the tailgate to the front was re-developed to maximize space and to create more utility, with a focus on the outdoor lifestyle that is becoming increasingly popular among SUV buyers.
The wheelbase of the new Santa Fe is about 2 inches longer than before and there are several elements in the front area of the vehicle that help with airflow and aerodynamics.
The new Santa Fe’s rear packaging design includes metallic gray space, located between the edge of the interior opening of the tailgate and the closing line of the actual tailgate, creating a significantly wider overall opening that looks more premium and stronger.
The new SUV has repositioned and redesigned the tailgate hinges, lift cylinders, and rear lighting to further contribute to the space and usability.
The new flatter cargo floor when the second and third rows are down is very convenient.
The front LED headlights look very elegant and fancy with an H design and a lower finish that forms an H letter shape to remind us of the Hyundai brand.
Performance
The Santa Fe Calligraphy’s 2.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
This power is combined with HTRAC all-wheel drive, which provides stability and grip in various driving conditions. Additionally, the adjustable suspension automatically adapts to provide a balance between comfort and sporty handling.
The turbo engine responds with agility and smoothness, making acceleration enjoyable and effortless.
High-quality soundproofing allows you to enjoy a quiet ride. Wind and road noise are kept to a minimum, creating a relaxing environment.
Precise steering and well-tuned suspension make the Santa Fe easy to drive. Whether in the city or on winding roads, this SUV feels agile and confident.
Its elegant design, spacious interior, and advanced features make it an attractive choice for those looking for a high-end SUV.
With a powerful exterior design and a luxurious and comfortable interior, this vehicle combines elegance with efficiency.
The aerodynamic design improves efficiency and stability on the road. Additionally, the 19-inch alloy wheels complement the athletic look of the vehicle.
The upgraded version of the automaker’s 2.5-liter turbo inline-four engine AWD paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the master powertrain.
This new Santa Fe is a much larger vehicle with 600 pounds of weight depending on the trim model.
Hyundai made some minor hardware changes, most notably updates to the bushings and other areas to improve noise, vibration, and harshness.
The overall rigidity of the vehicle is improved, as are the steering components, and there is a new variable frequency damping system that helped engineers better tune the suspension for on- and off-road use.
Although its major suspension components are largely carryovers from the outgoing Santa Fe, the changes should result in a slightly better-handling SUV.
Hyundai also offers a long list of standard and available safety, convenience, and advanced driver-assist technology for the new Santa Fe, including an advanced smartphone key feature, new driver-attention systems, all types of lane keeping, blind spot warning and other safety options, and the latest versions of its smart cruise control and driving assistance for a safer ride.
Fuel Economy
The new Santa Fe includes great fuel economy.
- 23 Miles per Gallon Combined (HTRAC AWD) fuel consumption on the Santa Fe Calligraphy
- Fuel tank capacity of 17.7 gallons
This engine is Super Low Emissions certified.
Continuing with the successful sales of the previous generation, the new completely redesigned Santa Fe offers more space, comfort, and convenience to please every driver.
The new 2024 Santa Fe features an even more expressive and elegant design, an impressive array of the latest technology, and advanced safety features, combined with efficient and powerful engines.
The 2024 Santa Fe is smart and modern with new state-of-the-art safety features, as well as advanced driver assistance systems, allowing the new Santa Fe to compete with premium cars, even if the Santa Fe is recognized more as a value SUV than a premium, you can see a lot of elegant design details that make you feel premium. The Santa Fe is a successful product, featuring excellent active safety systems and technology.
This SUV is an excellent option for those looking for a vehicle that offers comfort and performance with a price range from $34K to $47K.
