How GOOD is the new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid? Here's my MPG results...

[@katalysis]

I have that car in limited trim. It's perfect.

[@aye3678]

The rear end will take getting used too but the rest of the car is flawless in my eyes.

[@tocreatee5736]

transmission and engine are far far from flawless

[@kolehohenberger898]

In person it looks great.

[@jaanfo3874]

@@tocreatee5736The transmission problems are specific to the DCT models (Seriously Hyundai, give up the DCT and stick to torque converters), and the engine problems are specific to Theta II engines. The SmartStream engines don’t have any specific problems, five years into their production. I’ll always be suspect of factory-installed trailer wiring in Hyundai and Kias though.

[@kfx3907]

@@tocreatee5736Typical Hyundai hater. JDM fanboys literally think their Toyotas are reliable enough?

[@andrewgus8763]

⁠@@kfx3907 You don’t need to be a JDM fan to understand the flaws of Hyundai/Kia engines and their dishonest warranty operations. I own my Kia, I love it, it’s economic, but I probably won’t buy one again.

[@adamcrouch]

Excellent video really describing the hybrid driving dynamics. So many people don’t go into that level of detail. Keep up the good work! Hopefully one day soon, you’ll be able to test drive and review the 2025 Kia Carnival hybrid which uses the same hybrid setup as this one.

[@JeffDC1979]

I just bought AWD Hybrid Santa Fe 2024 Calligraphy and my MPG in Florida has been pretty sub-par. If I drive normally without a heavy foot, the best I can get after driving the car over a full tank of gas is about 26-27 mpg ... If I drive it around town locally (no highways) and use a super light foot I can manage to get the mpg slightly over 30 but nowhere near a consistent 34-35 that is estimated. I keep the AC at about 72 degrees and the outside temp is in the mid to upper 80's when doing the testing. Under the same driving conditions, my wifes rav4 hybrid gets exactly the estimated mpg it should at about 36-37 mpg. I think the manufacturers are stretching the truth here a bit about the estimated MPGs for this car by not telling you about the "perfect" driving conditions to get 34-35 mpg ... I've come to the conclusion that, in my experience, the real MPGe for this vehicle is about 28mpg combined ... I am curious to see what you get after driving it around more. Overall, it's a beautiful car and I am pretty happy with the car itself but I just wish I was getting over 30mpg more consistently. I can get 28mpg on smaller gas-only vehicles so I am sort of surprised I struggle to get it over 30 with the hybrid battery regardless of the size/weight of the vehicle. Anyways, I haven't found much info on this topic and would really love to hear more from you!

[@harlownick]

I have a limited fwd and live in Southern California. Also mostly smooth and flat roads and I easily get 35 mpg

[@JeffDC1979]

@@harlownick Limited does not have the same tires as Calligraphy edition - that is the point here. Check how big your tires are and compare to the size of the Calligraphy edition and you will understand. If, somehow, you do have the same size tire - then I have no idea how you are lucky enough to get 35mpg by default

[@brianlau28]

Great news about the PHEV version of this Sante Fe!!

[@brianlau28]

time index 8:20

[@user-Chikotillo]

I was thinking about this car, its nice, but I took ioniq 5 for a testdrive and was blown away! It drives like dream, i felt like im driving expensive BMW, of course interior details are not as expensive as BMW, but its not bad at all, and definitely not a deal breaker

[@Plague_Rat778]

Assuming you can put the 18inch wheels on the calligraphy trim, that's the first thing I'd do if I bought one as I'd want the calligraphy.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Kirk, You say 'floaty ride' like it's a bad thing. Get well soon!!!!😁

[@timvibes]

I'm torn between this Santa Fe hybrid or the '25 Camry. I feel that the Santa Fe will be quieter and soffer riding, whereas, the Camry will be more fun and nimble. I am concerned about Hyundai's hybrid reliability being a small deplacement engine with turbo. The new Camry howevever, I love the 5th gen hybrid. Nice torque! So basically. I want a vehicle to keep for over 10 years. Thoughts?

[@authorccdragon]

I get 34 on average in my 2017 Rav4 hybrid...now the camry mpg was impressive!

[@scraps0233]

I have a 18 rav hybrid limited. I can get 31 in eco mode. Whats your secret?

[@Big.W.]

@@scraps0233he accelerates slower than you

[@authorccdragon]

@@scraps0233 it's probably just how much stop and go I do versus highway. Mine is more stop and go, which is more efficient for the hybrid. Even my highway driving usually involves some stop and go traffic. If I do more highway, I'll get around 31 but if I'm strictly stop and go, I can get 36. I calc it on a spreadsheet too, I never trust the SUV reading so you might be doing better than it says--if you're going by the car.

[@scraps0233]

@@authorccdragon okay that makes sense. I’ve been practicing keeping it in the eco zone of the hybrid meter and it’s been helping. Have you driven it in the snow at all?

[@authorccdragon]

@@scraps0233 I've driven it snow, sure. under normal driving conditions where roads are plowed/treated and safe but snow on the roads, sure. it's awd so I've never had a problem. trac control comes on sometimes in slick conditions. it's a great SUV....i hope the hybrid battery lasts and lasts :)

[@GoldenK9Campers]

Excited about the new PHEV range extender. Would like more info on that !! especially if it can tow.

[@jgriffin411]

I don't have the best hearing, but you are confirming my assessments of road noise coming from the Calligraphy hybrid model. And at the 50k price point it was a bit disappointing. I like the looks plus all the extras, just not sure I'd want to step down to the lower SEL trim.

[@josephalba978]

At 2:22 he confirms the cabin is very quiet. He just clarified with bigger wheels, more road noise comes.

[@user-Chikotillo]

I was thinking about this car, its nice, but I took ioniq 5 for a testdrive and was blown away! It drives like dream, i felt like im driving expensive BMW

[@dannyphamous]

Appreciate the emphasis on mpg and engine noise

[@wulongchai]

so far elantra hybrid seems still has best MPG in Kirk's car review MPG tests.

[@DanielWorthen-w6b]

I would like to see a sante fe sel hybrid fwd for a comparison on mpg. Everybody seems to only be testing the high-end awd models. My guess is the sel fwd will achieve 15% better mpg.

[@BhutJolokias]

The paddles switch to gear selection while in Sport mode. We took home our AWD, Hybrid, Calligraphy 10 days ago.

[@Wasyk]

how is the sound inside while driving 80mph+ ? in RAV 2023 it is tragic

[@TheMichaelRN]

Would love an N line or XRT hybrid

[@jaredcanham7114]

What does wheel size have anything to do with fuel economy? The rotational weight as well as circumference would be balanced by tire, would it not?

[@mikeatback]

Thats great for a seven seater.. though the back is cramped but still

[@stephenwierzbicki4463]

Kirk, would You say that this car is good, All around, Family vehicle?

[@hatemkhalid311]

hey kirk , do you think Honda has chance with the new 2026 passport ?

[@ayushmalpeddi2793]

The Hybrid Limited and Calligraphy both gets 20in wheels just different types. The 2.5T Calligraphy gets 21in wheels while the 2.5T limited gets 20in wheels. I doubt the car eill ride badly. Caranddriver gave it a thumbs up with the 21in wheels and they test their cars in michigan. And let me tell you... Michigan roads are easily one of the worst, if not, the worst state for roads.

[@GrimEreaper]

Great vehicle and very competitive of Hyundai to make this big SUV. My only concern is the reliability. Theres been a few youtubers and even people on reddit who have documented transmissions issues w/ the new Santa Fe...guess we'll see if they can work out these problems after the 1st model year.

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

That was on the DCT transmission model. Hybrid models are more reliable buy.

[@fakih121]

I wish they would have offered a 5 seat variant with the underfloor storage.

[@bobanderson4009]

Is this the one that has a big transmission issue?

[@tails300]

The gas version with the DCT.

[@MAGA-yg7op]

They've already fix that. Good on Hyundai

[@Hallowsaw]

Hyundai mpg gauges are typically optomistic

[@tarakelly8573]

I absolutely love almost everything with the styling on this except for the steering wheel lol. I hate it so much it's honestly a deal breaker, which is too bad and petty 😂.

[@ChristianNeff]

The air conditioning on the Santa Fe and Tucson is atrocious. It literally stopped me from buying one today. I can't believe we're still screwing up the basics on a 40K+ car.

[@AAR-83]

Kirk, there are transmission issues with this car and with SantaFe in general! In addition to the engine failure after 100k miles. What do you think about reliability

[@josephalba978]

Not “many” transmission issues. Car Confections purchased an early model, which Hyundai bought back. Hyundai recalled all the new Santa Fe made up until July 2nd, to do a software update on the transmissions; hybrid versions are fine. Enough with the misinformation on the engine recalls. The recalled engines don’t automatically fail right at 100k miles. By the way, the affected engines were the Theta II 2.0L turbo and 2.4L NA engines, which are no longer in used; the Elantra N uses a variant of the 2.0L turbo, which has no problems.

[@MAGA-yg7op]

why are you trolling?

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

@@AAR-83 Toyota currently have over 300k recalls. Let's talk about that...GO!

[@LeoTheShortGuy]

Nice

[@alengreen589]

cool looking SUV

[@67keyakaren68]

ugly as sin

[@Kevin-rz6bq]

7:45 That's inaccurate. The honda crv hybrid mimics up shifting even though it has an ecvt

[@jstrig]

What I care about is highway fuel economy and I've read Hyundai hybrid fuel economy is abysmal on the highway in Santa Fes and Tucsons.

[@MrRaitzi]

Hyundai is like 10 years behind Toyota in hybrid efficiency. I would skip this. Range extender is way to go for them because their ICE is so poor.

[@jstrig]

@@MrRaitzi The Hyundai's do have far better all wheel drive systems. The Toyota AWD systems are garbage because of what Toyota "AWD" means

[@RayanMADAO]

@@jstrig Toyota has some of the best AWD vehicles wdym!! The land cruiser is legendary

[@Drg24800]

@@RayanMADAO I believe he’s talking about Toyota’s hybrid AWD which doesn’t do much.

[@jstrig]

@@RayanMADAO I'm talking about the hybrids though

[@Dillingham-]

This, or Kia Carnival?

[@k.p.p.192]

I’m hoping that Hyundai takes their customers feedback and do something about the back end. It’s hideous. If they just higher the taillights it would be so much better. Fact.

[@islanddon865]

After looking at yesterday's long term dependability report, posted by you and my dealership experience, the likelihood of me considering a Hyundai/Kia is right about zilch. Though some models enjoy striking interior finishes, what lurks beneath is quite disturbing.

[@avdp9095]

You have a lot of spam in comment section Kirk, can you Block these?

[@nguyenhoanganh7642]

First: it is ugly Second: I never buy an ugly vehicle

[@VOLVO2LUV]

HEY

[@tonyson587]

you don't know what you are getting in to stay away from Hyundai & Kia

[@MAGA-yg7op]

idk why you trolling?

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

@@tonyson587 Toyota has 300k active recalls. Let's talk about that since their customers didn't know what they getting themselves into either. It's hypocritical to throws jab at one brand but not recognizing the flaws of other brands that suppose to be "perfect".

[@67keyakaren68]

transmission will blow then catch on fire. great vehicle if u hate ur family lol

[@AnitaKosonenen]

Your videos are always so rewarding and enjoyable. Thank you for your work and talent!🪞🪟🐡🍒