2025 Hyundai Santa Fe: A Comprehensive Look at Pros and Cons

• The pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe impresses with bold, distinctive styling, generous standard technology features, strong turbocharged and hybrid powertrains.
• Major cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe include cramped third-row seating and subpar fuel economy in non-hybrid models.
• While it competes against the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, the pros and cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe make it stand out with its unique design and value pricing.

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The midsize SUV segment continues to be one of the most competitive in the automotive market. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe enters the arena with bold styling and ambitious updates. After a complete redesign, this three-row family hauler aims to compete with established favorites while offering Hyundai’s signature value proposition. But does it deliver on all fronts? There’s no doubt there are countless pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, but what about the cons?

Vehicle Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe represents a significant departure from its predecessor, featuring a boxy, rugged exterior design that channels Land Rover aesthetics while maintaining its own unique character. Available in multiple trim levels including SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. Under the hood, buyers can choose between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower or a hybrid powertrain that combines a turbocharged engine with an electric motor for improved fuel efficiency. Both powertrains are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive available across the lineup. Pricing starts in the mid-$30,000 range and can climb above $45,000 for fully loaded models. The following pros and cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe that we go over below proves it is a force to be recockoned with.

Pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

There are pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe that make it excel in several key areas. From its head-turning exterior design to its comprehensive warranty package, Hyundai has packed this redesigned model with attributes that appeal to families. The combination of advanced technology, strong performance options, and excellent value proposition creates a compelling package that challenges the status quo of what buyers should expect at this price point.

Bold, Distinctive Styling

The pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe includes the fact that it makes an immediate visual impact with its squared-off, assertive design language. Gone are the curved, anonymous lines of previous generations. This 2025 Santa Fe features a blocky silhouette with vertical lighting elements, prominent fender flares, and a commanding road presence. The H-shaped LED daytime running lights have become a signature design element that helps the vehicle stand out in crowded parking lots. While polarizing to some, this design philosophy gives the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe a premium appearance that punches above its price point. The interior continues this upscale theme with dual panoramic curved displays, high-quality materials, and thoughtful design touches that rival luxury competitors. For buyers seeking a vehicle that doesn’t blend into the background, this pro of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe delivers personality in spades.

Impressive Standard Features and Technology

Impressive standard features and technology is another one of the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. Even base SE models come equipped with advanced safety features including forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The infotainment system features a user-friendly interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add features like a head-up display, digital key functionality, and a premium sound system. The dual 12.3-inch curved display setup creates a modern, tech-forward cabin environment that feels contemporary and easy to navigate. This level of standard equipment is one of the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe because buyers don’t need to stretch their budget to higher trim levels just to access essential safety and convenience features.

Strong Powertrain Options

The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivers robust performance with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This provides confident acceleration for highway merging and passing maneuvers. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and intelligently, contributing to a refined driving experience. The hybrid variant offers an excellent alternative without sacrificing too much performance. This is one of the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe for those prioritizing fuel efficiency. The hybrid powertrain seamlessly blends electric and gasoline power, delivering improved fuel economy that can significantly reduce ownership costs over time. Both powertrains feel well-suited to the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe mission as a family hauler.

Comprehensive Warranty Coverage

Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty remains one of the brand’s strongest selling points. The 2025 Santa Fe comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This extensive coverage provides peace of mind that few competitors can match, effectively reducing the financial risk of ownership during the critical early years. Additionally, Hyundai offers complimentary maintenance for the first year or 15,000 miles, further sweetening the ownership experience. For buyers concerned about long-term reliability or unexpected repair costs, this warranty coverage can be the deciding factor that tips the scales in Hyundai’s favor.

Cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Despite its many strengths, there are a few cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. These drawbacks may be dealbreakers for certain buyers, particularly those with specific needs around passenger capacity and fuel efficiency. While no vehicle is perfect, understanding these limitations is crucial for making an informed purchase decision.

Third-Row Space Limitations

While one of the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is that it offers three rows of seating, it’s also one of the cons. The third row of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is best reserved for children or very short trips with adults. Legroom and headroom are compromised in the wayback, and access requires a somewhat awkward climb past the second row. Additionally, with the third row in use, cargo space becomes limited. These factors make the third row an unintended con of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Fuel Economy Could Be Better (Non-Hybrid Models)

While the turbocharged engine delivers satisfying performance, fuel efficiency takes a hit compared to some competitors. Non-hybrid 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe models achieve EPA estimates in the low-to-mid 30s mpg combined. This is considered one of the cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe because the fuel economy is merely adequate for the segment. The hybrid model addresses this concern, but it commands a premium price that may put it out of reach for budget-conscious buyers.

How Does It Compare to the Competition?

The midsize three-row SUV segment is fiercely competitive, with established players like the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Mazda CX-90. The Honda Pilot offers a more spacious and usable third row along with legendary reliability, though it lacks the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe bold styling and feature-rich standard equipment. The Toyota Highlander, particularly in hybrid form, delivers superior fuel economy and Toyota’s reputation for bulletproof dependability. However, its conservative design and higher pricing may deter some shoppers. The Mazda CX-90 provides a more premium driving experience with upscale materials and engaging handling. Its smaller interior dimensions and higher price, though, position it slightly differently in the market.

Where the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe distinguishes itself is in the combination of bold design, generous standard features, and competitive pricing. It offers a more distinctive appearance than the more conservative Honda and Toyota entries, while undercutting many competitors on price when similarly equipped. The comprehensive warranty coverage also provides an advantage that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Experience the Pros and Cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe at Tulsa Hyundai

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe represents a compelling option in the crowded midsize SUV market, offering bold styling, generous standard equipment, strong performance, and excellent warranty coverage. Ultimately, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is best suited for families who prioritize style, technology, and value. This vehicle is for those who won’t regularly need the third row for adult passengers. For those who can live with its compromises, the pros of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a fresh, appealing alternative to segment stalwarts. As with any vehicle purchase, potential buyers should take a thorough test drive, evaluate their specific needs. 

If you’d like to experience the pros and cons of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe for yourself, then Tulsa Hyundai has your back! If you’re not interested in the Santa Fe, then check out our plethora of other Hyundai vehicles including the Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6. We have an extensive certified pre-owned inventory where we’ll help you find something you enjoy.

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