Santa Fe Calligraphy (2025) Review

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IT’S always a toss-up whether to consider a new vehicle at the macro level or the micro and it’s even harder with Hyundai’s new leviathan SUV as it shines in both.

But the fact my telephone has never been as clean has me leaning to the latter as attention like this deserves note.

You see, there are a couple of buttons on the fascia of the brand new Hyundai Santa Fe that warrant a mention. The chunkier of the two opens a top glove box – nothing unusual in that until you consider the second.

This one is on the control panel and sports the moniker ‘UV-C’. Use the two together and you’ll end up with a sterilised telephone. Let me explain…

The glovebox is in fact a chamber in which you can place any item, such as a phone. Close the door and press the other button and the article is bombarded with UV-C rays which nuke pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The same set up is used in the air-conditioning so the air in the cabin is free from nasty bugs and germs. Very clever that in the post-COVID era.

These are just two of many buttons that adorn the interior of the fifth generation Santa Fe. I like buttons because they are easy to remember and use and the cabin is a masterpiece of design.

The other really likeable feature is the twin phone charger pads. There’s one each in the central trays and the rubber pads are slightly raised to make picking up your phone that much easier. Being tacky also stops your phones sliding about and they seem to charge phones in rapid order.

The final micro feature worth noting is on the outside. Just above the back wheels there are two panels in the window frame. If you push them they depress to reveal sturdy handholds with which you can climb up to reach the roof bars – brilliant!

Little things like this conspire to make new Santa Fe an endearing vehicle which is then backed up by its macro features, such as excellent engine, capable chassis and authoritative aesthetic.

In reverse order, the look of the Santa Fe is striking to say the least, some would say brutalist. The square front end, with strong grille and H-shaped signature day-running lights, smack you around the chops with its boldness. Then the rear comes in the form off a truck-like tailgate which opens to form a useful roof under which to shelter. It’s not pretty but it is striking.

The chassis is utterly brilliant. On a long haul south the Santa Fe is so comfortable and relaxing to drive. Yet it is surprising how able and fun it is to drive cross-country with excellent levels of grip thanks to all-wheel-drive, sharp steering responses and amazing composure for such a large vehicle. Even in towns it’s a joy and remarkably agile and easy to park despite its girth.

That just leaves the engine. Santa Fe is gargantuan as it’s a seven seater with hectares of space inside its plush cabin for passengers and loads. So the powerplant of a relatively modest 1.6 litre petrol seems underwhelming until you realise that it is turbo-charged and is backed by a hybrid electric motor.

A total power output of 215 PS and 367 Nm of torque is more than enough to make what is a voluminous vehicle quick to drive. Santa Fe can accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 112mph but because the engine is not too big the economy for such a beast is healthy too and I manage 41mpg in general use.

New Santa Fe is a brilliant vehicle from all sides. It is accomplished on every level with a host of major and detailed features that set it aside from the competition.

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