A Future-Thinking Hyundai Santa Fe: Pros and Cons
- Pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe include an iconic and comfortable design, abundance of technology, and helpful driver assistive features.
- Cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe include a tight third row, an unimpressive non-hybrid fuel economy, and a lack of speed.
- Experience the pros and cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe for yourself at Edmond Hyundai.
Do you consider yourself a practical, value-driven person who prefers a car with premium features without a luxury price tag? Those who appreciate the top safety technology, a spacious cabin, and comfort for daily commuting and weekend trips, choose the Hyundai Santa Fe for a reason. However, pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe include the versatility of its demographic clientele! It’s also a strong choice for empty nesters or retirees who want a refined SUV that’s easy to drive but still roomy enough for grandkids, pets, and travel gear. It’s also increasingly attractive to younger professionals and outdoor enthusiasts, especially those drawn to the rugged XRT trim or hybrid options.
Hyundai Santa Fe Overview
The Hyundai Santa Fe continues Hyundai’s effort to reinvent its image. After its radical redesign in 2024, this year’s version builds on that success with minor yet meaningful enhancements. Hyundai has not introduced a brand-new powertrain or drastically changed the vehicle’s mechanical components. However, it has polished the overall driving experience with refined finishes and additional standard features across the lineup. The vehicle is still offered in five trims (SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy) each catering to different needs and budgets. The rugged XRT caters to adventurers, while the Calligraphy delivers luxury-level sophistication. The main appeal of this refresh is not just in looks, but in how Hyundai has tied together style, comfort, and tech into one cohesive package.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Updates
Although the major design overhaul happened in 2024, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe brings subtle upgrades that further solidify its place in the midsize SUV segment. The exterior has been tweaked slightly, with revised lighting elements and minor detail work that makes the vehicle even more distinctive on the road. Inside, we see the addition of enhanced materials and technology. This includes broader availability of its dual 12.3-inch display system and improved wireless functionality. The Calligraphy trim gets a little extra attention this year with unique stitching, exclusive color options, and top-shelf finishes that rival luxury competitors. While the powertrain options remain the same, Hyundai’s refinements make the 2025 model feel just a bit more mature and thoughtful than its predecessor. Needless to say, the cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe are almost unnoticeable.
Pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe has a refreshing bold new look from the previous year while reinforcing the tech and comfort that families and commuters have come to love. Whether you’re someone eyeing your first SUV or a longtime Hyundai driver, the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe deserves a closer look.
1. Iconic Design
One of the most immediate pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is its distinctive exterior design. In an era where many SUVs look nearly identical, one of the pros of the 2025 Santa Fe is that it sets itself apart. It has a squared-off stance, angular fenders, and upright silhouette. The design is functional too! Rear passengers benefit from large windows and improved visibility, while roof access is made easier with built-in handles on the rear pillars. The rugged yet modern aesthetic gives the SUV an adventurous appeal without going overboard.
2. Abundance Of Technology
Technology is another one of the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe that makes it excel. Even at the mid-trim level, the SUV comes loaded with features that would have been considered premium just a few years ago. The available dual-screen infotainment system is intuitive, sleek, and integrated seamlessly into the dash. The 2025 Santa Fe supports wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and offers a responsive, customizable interface. Passengers can stay connected with numerous USB-C ports throughout the cabin, and higher trims even feature a household-style power outlet. Voice control, over-the-air updates, and advanced navigation tools make the tech experience comprehensive without being overwhelming.
3. Driver Assistance Features
Equally impressive are the driver-assistance features throughout the 2025 Santa Fe. Hyundai has included an extensive suite of safety tech as standard. Including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert. These systems are not only helpful pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, but are also finely tuned for smooth operation. In upper trims, features like the surround-view monitor and Highway Driving Assist, take things to the next level, giving drivers more confidence on longer journeys or in chaotic traffic situations. Lastly, the emphasis on safety goes beyond mere checkboxes, it feels like a thoughtful part of the vehicle’s core design.
4. Cabin Comfort
Comfort inside the cabin is another one of the major pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The front and second-row seats offer plenty of legroom and are exceptionally supportive, even on longer trips. The materials throughout the cabin are soft-touch and high-quality. This is particularly true in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, where Nappa leather and wood-style accents elevate the entire atmosphere. Noise insulation is well-executed, keeping the interior quiet even at highway speeds. The available panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting create a sense of spaciousness and calm. These features combined make the 2025 Santa Fe feel like a much more expensive vehicle.
Cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
With all these pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, it might be difficult to accept that there are some cons. However, most of the cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe are minor.
1. Lack Of Speed
While the Santa Fe has a lot going for it, it’s not without its drawbacks. Perhaps the most noticeable con of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is its performance, or rather the lack of. The turbocharged engine delivers 277 horsepower, which is more than adequate for daily driving, but lacks the punch or sportiness that some competitors may offer. Acceleration can feel flat during highway merges or uphill climbs, especially when the vehicle is fully loaded. The hybrid model, while better for fuel economy, is even more restrained in its power delivery. For those who prioritize driving excitement, the Santa Fe might come up a bit short.
2. Tight Third Row
Another one of the cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is the third-row seating. While Hyundai markets the Santa Fe as a three-row SUV, the third row is a little lacking in space. Adults will likely find it too-tight for anything beyond a short trip, and even older children may feel cramped during longer distances. It’s best viewed as an occasional-use feature rather than a full-time people-mover. If third-row space is a top priority, shoppers may want to consider stepping up to a larger SUV.
3. Unimpressive Non-Hybrid Fuel Economy
Fuel economy, at least for the non-hybrid Santa Fe versions, is less than impressive. With an average of around 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for all-wheel-drive gas models. The Hyundai Santa Fe doesn’t particularly stand out in the eco-conscious market. The hybrid variant does a better job, offering up to 36 mpg combined. If you’re leaning toward the standard engine for its price or availability, you’ll be making a trade-off when it comes to efficiency. In other words, the cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is that compared to hybrid-only rivals or full electrics, the Santa Fe gas models feel a step behind.
Is The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Worth It?
The short answer to the question, is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe worth is: yes! Regardless of what you’re looking for, the pros and cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe show that this is an SUV that’s ready for the future. If your priorities include a comfortable, tech-savvy, and safety-forward SUV with a modern, eye-catching design, then the Santa Fe is absolutely worth considering. The pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe excels in delivering a refined driving experience. Especially for families and commuters who value convenience, connectivity, and comfort. The range of trims also means that buyers are bound to find something that fits their needs.
However, if you’re seeking something more performance-oriented or require a usable third row on a regular basis, the Santa Fe might leave you wanting more. If you care deeply about fuel economy and are not going for the hybrid version, you might be better served by a competitor with more efficient gasoline engines or even a plug-in option. Ultimately, the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe are not perfect, but it represents a thoughtfully designed and well-executed SUV that hits the sweet spot for many drivers.
Experience The Pros and Cons Of The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe at Edmond Hyundai In Oklahoma
If you’re in the Oklahoma City area and ready to explore your options in person, Edmonds Hyundai is a great place to start. Our inventory of 2025 Santa Fe models includes everything from the base SE to the feature-packed Calligraphy. With competitive pricing and a focus on customer satisfaction, Edmond Hyundai can help you determine if the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe push it to be your perfect next vehicle.
If you’re ready to experience the pros and cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, visit our Hyundai dealership in person. Our Hyundai cars for sale include the Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Kona, and the Hyundai Venue. Reach out to our dealership for a test drive today.