2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Active: Quick Review

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has long been a staple in the large SUV segment since arriving into Australia in the year 2000.

Since then, it has become a popular and enduring choice among Australian consumers looking for a family car.

Sitting in between the popular Tucson and the slightly larger and newer Hyundai Palisade, the Santa Fe offers the best of both worlds as a seven-seater functional SUV.

20

Pricing and Features

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Active is available from $50,250 before on-road costs for the petrol engine. The diesel will cost you an extra $3500.

When it comes to the engine options, the Santa Fe mirrors similar options of the larger Palisade.

The Santa Fe is equipped with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, generating 148kW of power and 440Nm of torque, paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and powers all four wheels.

20

Alternatively, you can opt for the 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine with 200kW of power and 331Nm of torque, exclusively driving the front wheels.

The hybrid option is reserved for more premium variants: Elite and Highlander.

The Santa Fe does not currently have Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system.

Features that are standard from the entry-level Santa Fe range are:

Jumping up one variant to the Active adds:

20

The next-generation Santa Fe is due in Australia in the first half of 2024, with a striking new look.

Safety

The current Santa Fe is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, including a 94% score for adult occupant protection.

Due to the difference in powertrains, hybrid variants are unrated.

Standard features include seven airbags, lane trace assist, driver attention monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, auto high beam and adaptive cruise control.

Choosing the Active adds safe exit assist as well.

Safety is only updated again in the most expensive Highlander with low speed reverse AEB, remote parking and a 360-degree camera.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000kms, or 10,000kms for hybrid variants.

20

Key Rivals

The Santa Fe competes with rivals including:

• Toyota Kluger
• Kia Sorento
• Mazda CX-8
• Nissan X-Trail

20

Should I Put It On My Shortlist?

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is a compelling choice for those in the market for a family car.

For families seeking a reliable and well-equipped vehicle that promises comfort on every journey, the Santa Fe Active is certainly worth considering. It's a testament to Hyundai's ability to deliver quality and innovation in a competitive segment.

We reckon it's worth the step up from the entry-grade for all that extra gear as well, but if it's leaving you wanting, there are plenty of premium variants on offer in the range– five more in fact.