A Week With: 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited AWD

Having benefited from a makeover for the 2022 mannequin yr, Hyundai’s midsize, two-row SUV provides a plug-in hybrid mannequin to the line-up along with its hybrid variant.

Technically, it’s both an outsized compact or a small midsize, however its tweener measurement makes it ultimate for many who don’t require three rows.

Otherwise, it’s very very similar to its gas-powered siblings. Its undiscernible character might not show tempting, however its competence as a transportation system simply may.

Overview

Most 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe fashions are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder fuel engine with or with out turbocharging. But Hyundai additionally gives hybrid and plug-in hybrid fashions that appear to be higher matches. But if you need the Plug-In mannequin — the topic of our take a look at drive — you’ll solely discover it in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island or Vermont.

But Plug-in Hybrid’s capability to run 30 miles purely on electrical makes it way more tempting, if solely as a result of most days, you’ll by no means use the Santa Fe’s fuel engine.

Exterior

The Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid’s design differs little from that of its inside combustion-powered siblings. It’s a bit generic, however acceptably good-looking for probably the most half. But its toothy grille and odd headlight design could be a bit off-putting. It’s actually distinctive, one thing you may’t all the time say about the remainder of the car. 

Interior

By axing the third row most motorists by no means use, the Santa Fe PHEV gives ample leg room in each rows, and a beneficiant cargo maintain with 36.4 cubic toes of house behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic toes with them folded. Interior high quality feels stable, with a recent design that’s pleasing. Our Limited take a look at car was brimming with luxurious options resembling a heated steering wheel, air-conditioned and heated entrance seats, and leather-based trim. 

Powertrain

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid pairs a 177-horsepower 1.6-liter fuel engine with a 90-horsepower (66.9 kW) electrical motor producing 261 hp by a 6-speed automated transmission. Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system is normal, and may ship as a lot as 100% of engine energy to the entrance wheels, and 50% to the rear. In addition, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid can run as much as 30 miles purely on electrical energy. Recharging takes about 4 hours utilizing a Level 2 charger.

Towing is rated at 2,000 kilos with trailer brakes, 1,650 kilos with out them. Ordering the Trailer Prep Package nets you pre-wiring, in addition to Trailer Sway Control.

Safety and Technology

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated the 2022 Santa Fe as having a five-star crash take a look at score, the company hasn’t examined the plug-in hybrid variant. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety charges the Santa Fe as a “Top Safety Pick+,” its high designation.

Hyundai’s “SmartSense” driver-assistance system comes normal, and consists of Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, High Beam Assist, Smart Cruise Control and Driver Attention Warning.

On our take a look at automobile, the entrance sensors would sound randomly for no purpose, and the blind-spot detection would sound when altering lanes though the coast was clear; it was sensing automobiles two lanes away. This over-sensitivity is widespread on Hyundai and Kia automobiles.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is normal, as is a ten.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come normal. So too does wi-fi charging, which is built-in right into a vertical slot the that conveniently holds your telephone in place whereas its charging. That stated, the charging indicator icon is just too small to be legible.

When it involves the infotainment system, its consumer interface is straightforward sufficient to make use of, however can require too many menus to do one thing easy. And it may be sluggish to reply.

Driving Impressions

Given that, for probably the most half, the Santa Fe has all of the charisma of a serious equipment, albeit a really good one, it’s pretty benign but succesful. Maybe it’s higher to consider its character as being in a state of Zen — that manner, you received’t have to call it Hoover. 

The Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid proves agile sufficient to make driving simple, but not so sporty as to make issues uncomfortable. There’s some physique lean in fact, and it supplies sufficient driving really feel to maintain you modestly entertained.  

There’s sufficient oomph to supply the facility that you simply require. However, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid isn’t tuned to provide you that easy abundance of torque when accelerating from a cease, like different hybrids. This is in step with its mild character. 

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited AWD Specifications

Wrap Up

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid begins at $40,000 for the SEL Convenience mannequin and $46,000 for the Limited. By distinction, the Santa Fe Hybrid is a good bit cheaper, beginning at $34,300 for base Blue Hybrid trim, and tops out at $40,700 for the top-of-the-line Limited. 

Which to get? Let’s do the maths.

According to the EPA, the Santa Fe Hybrid prices $2,300 in fueling prices yearly; the Hybrid Blue, $2,150. But Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid prices simply $1,400, $900 much less per yr than the Hybrid. That means it take you slightly greater than six years to interrupt even between the 2 fashions primarily based on their beginning value. 

That apart, consider the way you’ll use it. If you’re solely shuttling round city most days, a plug-in means not often having to refill with fuel. And given the unstable value of gasoline, the additional value of the Plug-In might show price it.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV­ — Frequently Asked Questions

Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com