2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Discussion
Hi everyone!
I thought I d start a thread about my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and share how I ended up with one of these bold new SUVs.
The Backstory
My previous car was a 2019 VW Tiguan 2.0 TFSI R-Line. It was a fantastic car, great performance, solid ride, and those chunky, square looks I ve always liked. However, the boot space was a constant frustration, especially on long trips up to Scotland. As the mileage started to creep up, I knew I d soon need to start thinking about a replacement.
Then, in January this year, Top Gear magazine ran an epic feature on the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe Mk5, driving it across New Zealand. The moment I saw the photos, I was hooked on its boxy styling and that stunning Matte Bronze paint. The rear design looked a bit questionable in pictures, though.
I had intially considered the all new VW Tiguan (too small) and the Tayron (too boring looking) as well as the Skoda Kodiak but we both were just so blown away by the Santa Fe that it was difficult to seriously consider anything else. None of these choices were anywhere near as spacious inside as the Santa Fe either. Most other SUVs in the market right now are too similar looking for the same copy cat, boring Peeble look. The Santa Fe in my eyes is a lot more striking looking.
Now, I ve always been a bit of a German-car loyalist and, I ll admit, somewhat of a snob when it came to Korean cars. But my wife had owned a Santa Fe back in Canada and absolutely loved it. So, I thought, maybe it s time to see what all the fuss is about.
The Competition
I had initially considered the all-new VW Tiguan (too small), the Tayron (too bland-looking), and even the Skoda Kodiaq, but once we saw the Santa Fe, it was hard to seriously consider anything else. None of those alternatives came close to the interior space or sense of character the Hyundai offers. To be honest, most SUVs on the market right now look far too similar all chasing the same rounded, pebble-smooth design trend. The Santa Fe, by contrast, is bold, boxy, and genuinely distinctive. In my eyes, it stands out from the crowd in the best possible way.
First Impressions
We popped into our local Hyundai dealership to see one in the metal, and I was really impressed. The rear actually looked much better in person than in the photos, and the interior quality was a genuine surprise: very upmarket, even giving off Range Rover vibes. Except, of course, being Korean, you just know it ll actually be reliable!
The showroom car was finished in Terracotta Orange, one of the flagship colours alongside Matte Bronze. Unfortunately, under the dim showroom lights, it was hard to fully appreciate the flat orange finish. The black interior looked classy but felt a little too dark for my taste.
We booked a test drive at another dealership, which happened to have one with the optional Pecan Brown interior and it completely transformed the cabin. Warm, luxurious, and a perfect contrast to the otherwise dark space. From that moment, we knew we had to have the Pecan interior.
Choosing the Spec
Initially, I looked at the range-topping Calligraphy trim with its gloss black wheels and arches, but it wasn’t available with the Pecan interior. That led me to the Ultimate model instead. The only downside? The Ultimate comes with mirror-finish wheels, which I’m not a fan of they look great until the first kerb kiss or hint of corrosion. Still, that’s easily fixed with a nice set of aftermarket alloys later on.
As for colour, the Pecan interior limited our exterior choices. I was drawn to Pebble Blue, while my wife liked Green, but neither could be paired with the Pecan interior. In the end, my wife chose Terracotta Orange and I have to admit, it’s grown on me massively.
The Search
We’d decided on the 2WD hybrid (HEV) model, since we didn't really need AWD and I wasn’t keen on the added hassle of a plug-in hybrid. Using Carwow, I searched high and low for the right spec, but couldn t find one anywhere in the UK. It looked like I’d have to place a factory order and wait six months.
Then, luck struck I found two Terracotta Orange Ultimate models with Pecan interiors already en route from Korea. In fact, only three cars with that interior were coming to the UK for the rest of the year! The catch? They were all 4WD.
Not wanting to wait half a year, I decided to go for it and picked mine up from Smiths Hyundai in Peterborough at the end of May.
Driving
I was intially worried about how a 1.6T engine would be in such a huge, heavy car.
My previous Tiguan 2.0 was 190bhp and had plenty of power. So would the Santa Fe’s much smaller 1.6T be able to keep up?
My initial worries were soon put to rest. The 1.6T has 215bhp in HEV guise and feels plenty quick enough. The acceleration from the Turbo and electric motor is very impressive and whilst it won’t scare a sports car, it is plenty of power to get a car the size of a stately home, accelerating quick enough. The transition from EV to petrol mode is seamless and most of the time I can’t tell unless I look down at the gauge screen. The EV mode has enough battery for me to pottle around town fully using the electric motor. Combined with the double glazed (in fact they might even be triple glazed) windows, it’s deadly silent in the cabin. There are different driving modes with one being Sport mode. This allows semi-auto use if the flappy paddles and gives a more aggressive map and engine response. It can be a little bit more revvy though, holding into the gears abit longer. However it s a very comfortably drive and despite the size, the wife and I find it very easy to drive. The flat bonnet and big windows allowing excellent visibility to the corners of the vehicle and combined with the many camera around the car, it s makes it very easy to park.
The Interior
The interior is a different class and certainly not one which I would have expected in a Korean car. The materials and plastics are top notch. The heating and ventilation controls are on a separate screen and always available but they also combine with some physical buttons and I don’t feel it hard to use on the move.
The Technology in this vehicle is VERY impressive. Being a range topping model, the Ultimate comes fully loaded and in fact the only option available is a digital key. It’s comes with full leather interior, pano roof (which I would more class as 2 separate traditional sunroofs than a Pano roof!), Bose surround Sounds speakers, dual wireless charging pads to name but a few. The Tech is VERY impressive.
We don’t really need the third row of seats but we have used them a few times and they can still sit some 6ft adults comfortably. The 2nd row giving limo like levels of leg room and the boot is truly vast. With the third and second row seats folded fully down, it can accommodate a double mattress for in car camping which the Koreans call ‘Chabak’ . All seats having access to charging slots and the third row with heater controls.
Fun fact: the Santa Fe has 18 cup holders!!!
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a large, full-size SUV that’s genuinely practical, family-friendly, and can swallow just about anything you throw at it all while looking bold and distinctive then the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe should absolutely be on your shortlist.
Its packed to the roofline with the latest tech and comfort features, drives far better than you’d expect for something this size, and offers a level of refinement that genuinely challenges far more expensive rivals. Add in Hyundai’s reputation for reliability and value, and it becomes a very compelling package.
It s no surprise that the new Santa Fe has already picked up multiple Car of the Year and Best Family SUV awards and after living with it, I can completely see why.
For us, it’s been the perfect blend of style, space, and substance a big SUV that manages to feel special every time you drive it.
I thought I d start a thread about my 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and share how I ended up with one of these bold new SUVs.
The Backstory
My previous car was a 2019 VW Tiguan 2.0 TFSI R-Line. It was a fantastic car, great performance, solid ride, and those chunky, square looks I ve always liked. However, the boot space was a constant frustration, especially on long trips up to Scotland. As the mileage started to creep up, I knew I d soon need to start thinking about a replacement.
Then, in January this year, Top Gear magazine ran an epic feature on the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe Mk5, driving it across New Zealand. The moment I saw the photos, I was hooked on its boxy styling and that stunning Matte Bronze paint. The rear design looked a bit questionable in pictures, though.
I had intially considered the all new VW Tiguan (too small) and the Tayron (too boring looking) as well as the Skoda Kodiak but we both were just so blown away by the Santa Fe that it was difficult to seriously consider anything else. None of these choices were anywhere near as spacious inside as the Santa Fe either. Most other SUVs in the market right now are too similar looking for the same copy cat, boring Peeble look. The Santa Fe in my eyes is a lot more striking looking.
Now, I ve always been a bit of a German-car loyalist and, I ll admit, somewhat of a snob when it came to Korean cars. But my wife had owned a Santa Fe back in Canada and absolutely loved it. So, I thought, maybe it s time to see what all the fuss is about.
The Competition
I had initially considered the all-new VW Tiguan (too small), the Tayron (too bland-looking), and even the Skoda Kodiaq, but once we saw the Santa Fe, it was hard to seriously consider anything else. None of those alternatives came close to the interior space or sense of character the Hyundai offers. To be honest, most SUVs on the market right now look far too similar all chasing the same rounded, pebble-smooth design trend. The Santa Fe, by contrast, is bold, boxy, and genuinely distinctive. In my eyes, it stands out from the crowd in the best possible way.
First Impressions
We popped into our local Hyundai dealership to see one in the metal, and I was really impressed. The rear actually looked much better in person than in the photos, and the interior quality was a genuine surprise: very upmarket, even giving off Range Rover vibes. Except, of course, being Korean, you just know it ll actually be reliable!
The showroom car was finished in Terracotta Orange, one of the flagship colours alongside Matte Bronze. Unfortunately, under the dim showroom lights, it was hard to fully appreciate the flat orange finish. The black interior looked classy but felt a little too dark for my taste.
We booked a test drive at another dealership, which happened to have one with the optional Pecan Brown interior and it completely transformed the cabin. Warm, luxurious, and a perfect contrast to the otherwise dark space. From that moment, we knew we had to have the Pecan interior.
Choosing the Spec
Initially, I looked at the range-topping Calligraphy trim with its gloss black wheels and arches, but it wasn’t available with the Pecan interior. That led me to the Ultimate model instead. The only downside? The Ultimate comes with mirror-finish wheels, which I’m not a fan of they look great until the first kerb kiss or hint of corrosion. Still, that’s easily fixed with a nice set of aftermarket alloys later on.
As for colour, the Pecan interior limited our exterior choices. I was drawn to Pebble Blue, while my wife liked Green, but neither could be paired with the Pecan interior. In the end, my wife chose Terracotta Orange and I have to admit, it’s grown on me massively.
The Search
We’d decided on the 2WD hybrid (HEV) model, since we didn't really need AWD and I wasn’t keen on the added hassle of a plug-in hybrid. Using Carwow, I searched high and low for the right spec, but couldn t find one anywhere in the UK. It looked like I’d have to place a factory order and wait six months.
Then, luck struck I found two Terracotta Orange Ultimate models with Pecan interiors already en route from Korea. In fact, only three cars with that interior were coming to the UK for the rest of the year! The catch? They were all 4WD.
Not wanting to wait half a year, I decided to go for it and picked mine up from Smiths Hyundai in Peterborough at the end of May.
Driving
I was intially worried about how a 1.6T engine would be in such a huge, heavy car.
My previous Tiguan 2.0 was 190bhp and had plenty of power. So would the Santa Fe’s much smaller 1.6T be able to keep up?
My initial worries were soon put to rest. The 1.6T has 215bhp in HEV guise and feels plenty quick enough. The acceleration from the Turbo and electric motor is very impressive and whilst it won’t scare a sports car, it is plenty of power to get a car the size of a stately home, accelerating quick enough. The transition from EV to petrol mode is seamless and most of the time I can’t tell unless I look down at the gauge screen. The EV mode has enough battery for me to pottle around town fully using the electric motor. Combined with the double glazed (in fact they might even be triple glazed) windows, it’s deadly silent in the cabin. There are different driving modes with one being Sport mode. This allows semi-auto use if the flappy paddles and gives a more aggressive map and engine response. It can be a little bit more revvy though, holding into the gears abit longer. However it s a very comfortably drive and despite the size, the wife and I find it very easy to drive. The flat bonnet and big windows allowing excellent visibility to the corners of the vehicle and combined with the many camera around the car, it s makes it very easy to park.
The Interior
The interior is a different class and certainly not one which I would have expected in a Korean car. The materials and plastics are top notch. The heating and ventilation controls are on a separate screen and always available but they also combine with some physical buttons and I don’t feel it hard to use on the move.
The Technology in this vehicle is VERY impressive. Being a range topping model, the Ultimate comes fully loaded and in fact the only option available is a digital key. It’s comes with full leather interior, pano roof (which I would more class as 2 separate traditional sunroofs than a Pano roof!), Bose surround Sounds speakers, dual wireless charging pads to name but a few. The Tech is VERY impressive.
We don’t really need the third row of seats but we have used them a few times and they can still sit some 6ft adults comfortably. The 2nd row giving limo like levels of leg room and the boot is truly vast. With the third and second row seats folded fully down, it can accommodate a double mattress for in car camping which the Koreans call ‘Chabak’ . All seats having access to charging slots and the third row with heater controls.
Fun fact: the Santa Fe has 18 cup holders!!!
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a large, full-size SUV that’s genuinely practical, family-friendly, and can swallow just about anything you throw at it all while looking bold and distinctive then the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe should absolutely be on your shortlist.
Its packed to the roofline with the latest tech and comfort features, drives far better than you’d expect for something this size, and offers a level of refinement that genuinely challenges far more expensive rivals. Add in Hyundai’s reputation for reliability and value, and it becomes a very compelling package.
It s no surprise that the new Santa Fe has already picked up multiple Car of the Year and Best Family SUV awards and after living with it, I can completely see why.
For us, it’s been the perfect blend of style, space, and substance a big SUV that manages to feel special every time you drive it.
Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Tuesday 14th October 09:59
Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Tuesday 14th October 10:00
Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Tuesday 14th October 10:00
Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Tuesday 14th October 10:01
Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Tuesday 14th October 10:01
Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Tuesday 14th October 10:02
Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Tuesday 14th October 10:06
It’s an interesting choice, but I can understand why.
There’s one pretty local to me and I’ve been tempted to have a snoop around it, but didn’t want to give the impression I was trying to nick it,
A fella down the road works for JLR and has a new Defender 110. I’d prefer the Santa Fe.
Look forward to reading more of your ownership experiences, and congrats on the big orange beast, not *that* one, the Hyundai…..
There’s one pretty local to me and I’ve been tempted to have a snoop around it, but didn’t want to give the impression I was trying to nick it,
A fella down the road works for JLR and has a new Defender 110. I’d prefer the Santa Fe.
Look forward to reading more of your ownership experiences, and congrats on the big orange beast, not *that* one, the Hyundai…..
andy43 said:
Really like that interior. These do look good, and being Korean it ll have everything as standard - cooled seats and heads up display are two of my wants in a modern car.
How easy is it to turn off the speed warnings?
I love the interior. This Ultimate model came with everything: heated and cooled seats, Bose, HUD etc. the only option you get spec was the digital key, which isn’t worth it as you can still control everything from your mobile phone. How easy is it to turn off the speed warnings?
I’ve created a short cut on the steering wheel button to turn off speed warnings.
andy43 said:
Really like that interior. These do look good, and being Korean it ll have everything as standard - cooled seats and heads up display are two of my wants in a modern car.
How easy is it to turn off the speed warnings?
I love the interior. This Ultimate model came with everything: heated and cooled seats, Bose, HUD etc. the only option you get spec was the digital key, which isn’t worth it as you can still control everything from your mobile phone. How easy is it to turn off the speed warnings?
I’ve created a short cut on the steering wheel button to turn off speed warnings.
Mikebentley said:
Great looking car. Is it a 7 yr warranty ?
5 for hyundai, 7 for kia (approved kia second hand cars get a full 7 year on purchase date)which always seams odd as hyundai are controlling stake owners of kia
i love the 'Tonka' design of the SUV Hyundia and Kias
Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Tuesday 21st October 09:59
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff