Author Topic: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe First Drive Review (Read 1407 times)

AutoTrader.ca · « **on:** March 18, 2024, 05:50:00 pm »

The redesigned Santa Fe was built for adventures that don’t stray too far from the beaten path.
Read more...

bridgecity · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2024, 06:02:21 pm »

Nice writeup Jeff as per usual. Nice to see an article with content that isn't just spewing specs.

I think it was Straightpipes that did a review recently and counted all the "H"s on the interior and exterior and it was something like 70?

Not a huge fan of the exterior styling. I do like boxy styling in general, this just takes it a bit too far for me. My head goes right to Star Wars.

ktm525 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2024, 07:15:54 pm »

Rear lights low and repeaters in the bumpers is just dumb.

Slow_lane · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2024, 10:50:25 pm »

Based on those pictures that is one ugly SUV inside and out. To my older eyes anyways.

rrocket · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2024, 11:15:17 pm »

I'm in the minority but I'm "ok" leaning to "like" with it for a few reasons. Honestly? I think it's better than a couple other Hyundai designs. It's boxy, sure. But I don't think it's ugly. And it's not confused like the Sonata. I like that they tried something....different.

The taillights? I like them! They have an 80-90s Japanese vibe that I totally dig! I'm surely in the minority on this.

Overall, I'm OK with it. Don't love it, don't hate it. Respect the chance they took on it.

revalations · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2024, 12:16:05 am »

I actually really like this. Looks upscale yet rugged. Definitely won’t mistake it for anything else in the price range. The interior also looks pretty darn nice.

bridgecity · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2024, 08:22:01 am »

Quote from: rrocket on March 18, 2024, 11:15:17 pm

Respect the chance they took on it.

I dunno, can’t give much respect for a design when certain elements are a near direct copy of another vehicle. For example, look at the steering wheel, then look at the Land Rovers.

OliverD · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2024, 08:25:06 am »

Quote from: rrocket on March 18, 2024, 11:15:17 pm

I'm in the minority but I'm "ok" leaning to "like" with it for a few reasons. Honestly? I think it's better than a couple other Hyundai designs. It's boxy, sure. But I don't think it's ugly. And it's not confused like the Sonata. I like that they tried something....different.

The taillights? I like them! They have an 80-90s Japanese vibe that I totally dig! I'm surely in the minority on this.

Overall, I'm OK with it. Don't love it, don't hate it. Respect the chance they took on it.

Agreed.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2024, 09:52:35 am »

Quote from: OliverD on March 19, 2024, 08:25:06 am

Quote from: rrocket on March 18, 2024, 11:15:17 pm
I'm in the minority but I'm "ok" leaning to "like" with it for a few reasons. Honestly? I think it's better than a couple other Hyundai designs. It's boxy, sure. But I don't think it's ugly. And it's not confused like the Sonata. I like that they tried something....different.

The taillights? I like them! They have an 80-90s Japanese vibe that I totally dig! I'm surely in the minority on this.

Overall, I'm OK with it. Don't love it, don't hate it. Respect the chance they took on it.

Agreed.

I also don't mind it, not the best, not the worst. I expect the general public will be buying a lot of these to pretend they bought a Defender.

Jaeger · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2024, 10:03:10 am »

Quote from: revalations on March 19, 2024, 12:16:05 am

I actually really like this. Looks upscale yet rugged. Definitely won’t mistake it for anything else in the price range. The interior also looks pretty darn nice.

Agreed on all points. Straight Pipes gave it a very favorable review as well. Not my kind of vehicle, but I think it looks really good overall (direct rear view excepted). Very nice interior space.

OliverD · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2024, 10:13:20 am »

Personally I welcome more boxy vehicles to the market.

Jaeger · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2024, 10:58:36 am »

Quote from: OliverD on March 19, 2024, 10:13:20 am

Personally I welcome more boxy vehicles to the market.

Boxy is good.

Gurgie · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2024, 11:21:29 am »

Quote from: bridgecity on March 19, 2024, 08:22:01 am

Quote from: rrocket on March 18, 2024, 11:15:17 pm
Respect the chance they took on it.

I dunno, can’t give much respect for a design when certain elements are a near direct copy of another vehicle. For example, look at the steering wheel, then look at the Land Rovers.

Apparently some of the designers came over from JLR and that's why the interior design looks quite a bit like a Range Rover. I watched the TFL walk around on this last week & thought it was quite the change for them, in a positive way.

tortoise · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2024, 11:32:12 am »

I really like the interior. The is great at first glance but kinda falls apart the more I stare at it. Throttle House said it looks better in photos, and I can see it being the case.

I think it's a great package though, and seems like a big step up from the last one.

ktm525 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2024, 11:38:18 am »

Quote from: rrocket on March 18, 2024, 11:15:17 pm

I'm in the minority but I'm "ok" leaning to "like" with it for a few reasons. Honestly? I think it's better than a couple other Hyundai designs. It's boxy, sure. But I don't think it's ugly. And it's not confused like the Sonata. I like that they tried something....different.

The taillights? I like them! They have an 80-90s Japanese vibe that I totally dig! I'm surely in the minority on this.

Overall, I'm OK with it. Don't love it, don't hate it. Respect the chance they took on it.

The big problem for the lights is they are on the tailgate so when the gate is open the lower repeater lights in the bumper have to turn on to provide illumination. This adds needless complexity to an area that is bathed in salt water. Nissan had this issue on their 620/720 trucks and abandoned the design. It was dumb then and dumb now. But I guess form over function lol.

evil_twin · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2024, 11:57:27 am »

Quote from: rrocket on March 18, 2024, 11:15:17 pm

I'm in the minority but I'm "ok" leaning to "like" with it for a few reasons. Honestly? I think it's better than a couple other Hyundai designs. It's boxy, sure. But I don't think it's ugly. And it's not confused like the Sonata. I like that they tried something....different.

The taillights? I like them! They have an 80-90s Japanese vibe that I totally dig! I'm surely in the minority on this.

Overall, I'm OK with it. Don't love it, don't hate it. Respect the chance they took on it.

Agreed. The taillights give me early 90's Previa vibes (my mom had one!). Don't love the rear look, but otherwise dig the concept and value. Definitely more interesting than the generic blob CUVs they built in the past.

Shorlaw · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2024, 12:50:47 pm »

I think it looks pretty good, but I just can't get past the prices

I know I'm stuck in the dark ages and it's the whole market, but I can't get my head around $50K for a bloody hyundai SUV.

Woodrow · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2024, 01:16:28 pm »

As TR joked this is the “Defender Sport.” Basically the phony version of the real thing. Some of the looks and none of the capability. This would bother me.

rrocket · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2024, 06:54:28 pm »

Quote from: Woodrow on March 19, 2024, 01:16:28 pm

As TR joked this is the “Defender Sport.” Basically the phony version of the real thing. Some of the looks and none of the capability. This would bother me.

Because you were planning an expedition, right? LOL [emoji38]

ktm525 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2024, 08:11:09 pm »

I'm seeing a large version of a scion xb.