2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

There are a total of five trims to choose from for this year’s Santa Fe. The base model is named SE which is priced at $25,500. It comes with few basic features but incorporates a slew of standard and advanced safety features. The top-level trim is called Ultimate this trim comes with every available bit of features and also uses more upscale interior materials and costs $35,450.

Which Trim should you buy?

The Limited trim is the best option to choose. It comes with a host of features for comfort, infotainment, and safety altogether. Limited trim also unlocks the choice of a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine which is best suited for people who like to enjoy the drive as well as stay comfortable at the same time.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe engine is a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 unit that generates 185-horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. There is no fault with the engine, but it seems slightly underpowered for Santa Fe's size and heft. While the engine is quick off the line and feels adequate to zoom around town, at highway speeds it struggles to overtake the traffic. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine available from the limited trim producing 235 horsepower is a better option if you are not tight on budget and are more interested in the performance. 0-60 MPH comes up in just under 10 seconds for the 2.4-liter engine. FWD is standard on all trims while you can opt for an intelligent torque-vectoring AWD system which Hyundai calls HTRAC.

Both the engines come paired with the same 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is smooth most of the time, but it seems like Hyundai hurried with this transmission which shows as at times it shifts between gears a bit harshly.

All the crossovers in the price range offer almost identical performance, however, Hyundai offers the least amount of torque which would result in less towing capacity than the rest. The Chevrolet Equinox is the fastest to 60 and to cross the quarter-mile mark thanks to the turbocharged engine, it also has the highest top speed.

How well does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe handle?

Santa Fe for the 2019 model sees major improvements in ride quality and handling. The ride feels more refined and the SUV does a pretty good job of insulating road noise and engine noise while flattening out most bumps and rough surfaces. For the suspension setup, Hyundai uses front struts which combine with multi-link suspension at the rear. The high trims which are Limited and Ultimate use self-leveling rear air suspension which allows for a calmer ride. 

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a crossover but does not feel like one, it does not offer amazing handling characteristics but for the size and type of vehicle, it still feels confident and calm on the road at all times. The new body which offers higher ground clearance allows for better off-road driving and with the available AWD system, the new SUV will not let you down no matter the weather condition or road surface you are driving on.

Braking Performance

The new Santa Fe comes with 12-inch brakes on the front and rear. The brakes offer adequate stopping power for the 3,600-pound vehicle and the performance is quite good. The brake pedal does not have much play to it and offers short travel. The brakes feel smooth and poised at all times and bring the SUV to a complete stop from 60 MPH in 130 feet, a distance that is average for the segment.

The Honda CR-V has smaller brakes as compared to the Santa Fe, but the lower curb weight of the former allows for it to stop within a much shorter distance than the latter which has bigger brakes but is heftier too. The Chevrolet Equinox is the lightest, but as there is not much information available on its brakes, there is no say on how much distance it would cover before coming to a stop from 60 MPH. The Volkswagen Tiguan sports the biggest set of front brakes here with average-sized rear brakes. The braking performance of the Tiguan is decent despite weighing the most among the rivals here.

While the engine compromises on power which also affects the ride quality and takes the excitement out of the drive, one would expect that this compromise might come with better fuel economy because that is how it usually works out, but Hyundai somehow managed to make an engine which is less powerful and mediocre in terms of fuel economy. The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy is rated at 22/29/25 MPG for city/highway/combined. However, to compensate for the average numbers, the SUV gets an 18.8-gallon fuel tank which is bigger than the segment average and allows for more range.

Both the Honda CR-V and the Chevrolet Equinox offer identical MPG figures. However, the Equinox seems to win over the competitors in terms of mileage as it is the fastest to 60 MPH. The Santa Fe and the Tiguan also offer similar mileage figures, however, the Santa Fe, with its bigger tank, has a significantly better range than the Tiguan.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe interior is bigger than the outgoing model meaning that the cabin is more room for cargo and passengers alike. Dropping the ‘Sport’ tag from its name, the new model is more welcoming for passengers, with an increase in the size of 2.6 inches between the wheels and 2.8 inches from bumper to bumper, it allows for more space for the passengers in the front and the rear. The seats are comfortable and provide enough support. There is ample space in the rear as well which would seat an average-sized adult with ease. There is no lack of small-item storage inside with a host of small cubbies and shelves all around the cabin.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has a seating capacity of 7 with three rows of seats, but the third row of seats remains suitable only for small children and also takes away considerable cargo space. Both the CR-V and the Santa Fe offer the maximum space for passengers at the front and in the rear. The Honda CR-V also has the biggest cargo space followed by Santa Fe.

Some interior features are:

• Cloth upholstery
• Driver lumbar support
• Reclining rear seats
• 60/40-split folding rear seat
• Rear privacy glass
• Heated front seats with power-adjustable driver’s seat (SEL)

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Every Santa Fe trim comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display that performs the infotainment duties. It comes with the latest smartphone integration system as well as Bluetooth connectivity and navigation. The top-tier Ultimate trim has an 8-inch screen also comes with a premium audio sound system. Moreover, the display is crisp and highly responsive with minimal lag. Most users will find the infotainment quite intuitive as well. 

Other features that are available as standard with the infotainment system in Santa Fe are:

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Premium 630-watt 12 speaker audio system

The Santa Fe is fully redesigned for the 2019 model year, it's bigger, taller, and now seems more like an SUV, unlike its predecessor. The looks become more upright with a big front grille that enables the SUV to make its presence felt on the road. This upright design language is also carried to the rear which now features a more upright tailgate as well as compared to the outgoing model's wagon-like design. The new design makes it look like a no-nonsense planted and aggressive SUV rather than the simplistic previous generation model.

The bigger Santa Fe allows for more room for the passengers. It's also the longest among the group which would make it a bit challenging to maneuver or park while reversing in enclosed spaces. In terms of looks, the new Santa Fe, hands down, looks the most appealing and modern out of the SUVs here, all thanks to Hyundai's shift to make its lineup more appealing and in tune with the current design trends followed by more premium brands.

Some exterior highlights are:

• LED headlamps
• Chrome-tipped dual exhaust
• 17-inch wheels
• Rear spoiler
• Panoramic glass roof(optional)

The top safety institutions have praised the new Santa Fe. IIHS gave it its title of ‘Top Safety Pick+’, and NHTSA gave it a full five out of five-star safety rating. It comes packed with standard safety features like airbags, ABS, traction, and stability control alongside EBD. Automated emergency braking is also added to the standard list of safety features. Hyundai has included a lot of other features as well in the standard list of safety features which makes it safe and also makes it a better choice to go for as compared to the rivals. 

Other available safety features include:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rearview camera with rear-cross traffic alert
• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Active lane control

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

Both SUVs come at almost the same price, but where the Volkswagen offers better torque allowing for more towing capacity it lacks in terms of features offered. The Santa Fe comes with a long list of standard features making it a better choice for an average buyer who requires a pleasant driving experience.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevy costs less than the Hyundai, offers a decent amount of features as standard, and offers better performance than the Santa Fe. Chevrolet has managed to make an engine that is a perfect blend of power and efficiency making the Equinox more fun-to-drive than the Santa Fe all while being highly efficient as well.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2019 Honda CR-V

The CR-V is more fuel-efficient than the Hyundai, but it offers barely any features as standard, and the safety features are also less in the CR-V. The safety ratings of Santa Fe are also better and they offer identical performance. Moreover, the Santa Fe is more comfortable, comes with a long list of features for a similar cost, making it a better value for money.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe has been given a fresh look. Starting from the exterior you get a new design that makes it bolder and aggressive making it look more like an SUV rather than a crossover. The engine is not as exciting as one would think but does its job well. The optional turbocharged engine would keep performance-oriented people happy. The size of the Santa Fe has also increased which makes it bigger not only from the outside but from the inside as well, creating more space for rear-seat passengers and cargo. The list of infotainment features and safety features throughout the trims remains decent, no matter what trim you opt for the new Santa Fe will not disappoint you.