2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

In its new refreshed iteration, Hyundai has split the SUV crossover, 2020 Santa Fe, into 3 different trim levels. They go by SE, SEL, and, Limited, where each trim consists of a standard front-wheel-drive or the AWD choice for a premium. The Ultimate trim for 2020 has been excluded. Starting off at a price of MSRP $26,125 for the base trim, the top-of-the-line Limited trim is priced at $37,350. Even in Santa Fe’s base trim, you’d find a host of convenient features and the list only gets more premium and in abundance as you climb the configuration ladder.

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The SEL trim seems like the best configuration, for it offers a premium set of features along with technology while being pocket-friendly at the same time. The SEL trim also gets a Convenience package, that now includes wireless charging. Safety quotient is also on the rise with the SEL trim, as it does get a Rear Occupant Alert as standard from now on.

The 2020 Hyundai Sante Fe drinks 22 miles per gallon driving around the city while cruising on the highway has it guzzling 29 miles per gallon. This is with the FWD setup. Opt for the AWD setup, and the Santa Fe is rated at 21 MPG in the city and 27 miles to the gallon out on the highway. Go for the 2.0L turbocharged engine unit, and there the Santa Fe is rated at 20 and 27 MPG in the city and highway respectively with the FWD setup, while the AWD variant offers lesser fuel economy by slicing off 1 MPG.

These figures place the Hyundai Santa Fe somewhere in the mix in the fuel efficiency chain in this competition. However, its rivals are more fuel-efficient than the Korean manufacturer. While its average performance compensates with the ride quality, its frugality under the hood is lackluster and discouraging.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is a competitive, comfortable family hauler -thecarconnection

The 2-row seating Hyundai Santa Fe seats a maximum of 5 passengers with great comfort and space. Quality materials alongside a soft feel furnish the cabin and comfortable seats with better bolstering allow for long-distance drives. The dash feels great and high-quality in places but there are evident hard plastics used in certain places in lieu of cost cut.

Sit in the back or the front, you’d always find space whether that’s for your head or your legs. Spacing is greatly managed by the SUV. Visibility is fine around and noise is easily canceled out from the outside world. A 7” infotainment system with touchscreen capability is installed along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Bluetooth connectivity is also standard while the infotainment system is fairly simple and intuitive.

At 35.9 cubic feet, the Santa Fe is accommodating in the trunk and fairly practical. Thanks to the smartly-designed cabin, the trunk feels less cramped and places the Hyundai amongst the best in the competition. The most copious SUV is the Honda CR-V, followed by Santa Fe.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe wears sharp new sheet metal and a handsome interior that gets better in top trims - thecarconnection

For 2020, Hyundai have majorly redesigned the Hyundai Santa Fe. Driving over 17” wheels across all four sides, the SUV is sculpted aggressively more than before. Resting insignia upon the large chrome-accented front grille, the front fascia looks menacing with half-eyed front headlamps resembling a sleeping beast. The long wheelbase of the SUV allows it to stay more evident and present with its redesigned bulbous body.

Built at a height of 66”, along its side runs a deep window line given birth from the headlamps all the way to the rear taillamps. The roofline is square and carries all the way to the rear pillar, where protrudes a spoiler lip. Its fenders bulge giving a rather meaty look while the back feels broad. On the bottom right sits a lone rectangular-exhaust pipe below hard plastic design atop the rear bumper.

Some features included on the exterior of the SUV are –

• Roof-mounted Center High-Mount Stop Light
• Automatic headlights
• Bodycolor exterior mirrors
• Chrome accent front grille
• Bodycolor door handles
• Front 2-speed/variable intermittent windshield wipers

Fitted with an abundance of safety features, both on the active and passive safety front, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe crossover SUV manages to also score the highest rating of "Top Safety Pick+" in the IIHS tests. It has been rated Superior in Front Test Crash Prevention, along with good in every tests. The NHTSA also awarded it with a superior rating all across the board. Come the year 2020, the Hyundai Santa Fe gets the Smart Sense suite of safety tech as standard from now on.

The list of safety features includes with the SUV are-

• Adjustable front-seat shoulder belt anchors
• The anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution
• Vehicle stability management
• Forward Collision Warning with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Driver inattention monitor
• Lane-keeping assistance
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a laudable performer while delivering great fuel efficiency. It also comes with a host of safety features next to an abundant list of features and technology. Practicality is at its highest here. On the other hand, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe closely matches the CR-V but still falls short of its driving dynamics. We’d pick the Honda for its reliability and performance any day.

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

Similar in character, the Mazda CX-5 is the class leader but the Hyundai Santa Fe does come up with a few magic tricks up its sleeve. Both these SUVs boast commendable interior equipment, a plethora of features, and safety tech and are similarly reasonably priced. However, the CX-5 is the segment leader for a reason; it has great driving dynamics with a great exterior silhouette and performance to back it up. We’d pick the CX-5 albeit it loses a few spaces in the trunk while gaining a bit in terms of frugality.

If only the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a powertrain to match some of its highs, it could have been a great crossover to recommend. You’d not find the SUV to be much frugal, but then it has its $26,125 price tag to compensate for. Spacious and plush seating takes center stage especially with a comfortable ride and nimble handling performance along with quality material cabin. And did we say how feature-rich and safe the SUV is? So we come back to the initial statement; the Santa Fe is a good buy if you can overlook the engine under the hood. For its other caliber, in other words, the adventurous won’t particularly enjoy Santa Fe. So in that case, its pricey rivals are worth considering.