2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Performance

There are four engine options to choose from in the 2023 Santa Fe lineup. The SE and SEL models are equipped with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Limited and Calligraphy models get the same motor but with a turbocharger bolted to it which produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. These ICE models come standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available across the range.

混合模型是仅可在AWD格式. The hybrid has a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine working in conjunction with a single electric motor for a total of 226 hp. In the PHEV, the combined power output is 261 hp, getting quite close to the Santa Fe turbo. Each engine is mated to a different gearbox. The NA 2.5-liter is coupled to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic, while the turbocharged derivative is bolted to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Hybrid models are equipped with a six-speed automatic. Hyundai doesn't provide performance figures, but if you were wondering, independent tests have shown that the turbocharged model can get from 0-60 mph in six seconds. There are no top-speed figures either, but all models are capable of comfortably cruising at the legal speed limit.

The Santa Fe's towing capacity is on the low side, though. The naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter and the hybrid can tow a maximum of 2,000 lbs, while the turbocharged model can manage 3,500 lbs. To put that in perspective, the Honda Passport can handle 5,000 lbs in AWD format. There is also some overlap in pricing with the bigger Ford Explorer, and in base format, it can tow 5,300 lbs.

The only weak link in the engine range is the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine, and only if you're the kind of person who likes to accelerate briskly rather than at a leisurely pace. The 2.5-liter engine sans turbo produces 191 hp at 6,100 rpm and 181 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The late arrival of the torque makes it feel slightly sluggish, but the eight-speed automatic transmission does its absolute best to get the most out of it.

Bolting a turbocharger to the engine increases the power output to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is rapid and eager to gear down. Add the AWD system, and this SUV will surprise a few fast cars off the line.

The hybrid powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-pot producing 178 hp at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Hyundai then adds an electric motor producing an additional 59 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The latter is available from zero to 1,600 rpm, which means it fills in the torque gap low down. Hyundai claims the combined power output is 226 hp. The PHEV has a similar setup but a more powerful electric motor; its combined output is 261 hp.

All of the available gearboxes are at the top of their game, and there isn't a single bad one amongst them, although the eight-speed dual-clutch can occasionally be a little clunky. The NA engine is not particularly happy when you expect it to accelerate hard. Still, the turbocharged and hybrid models are happy to pick up speed quickly when entering the freeway or during overtaking maneuvers.

There isn't a big gap between the naturally-aspirated model and the turbocharged derivative in terms of gas mileage. According to the EPA, the NA FWD model can manage 25/28/26 mpg city/highway/combined, while the AWD model can do 22/25/24 mpg. The turbocharged models can do 22/28/25 mpg and 21/28/24 mpg in FWD and AWD respectively.

In hybrid guise, the Santa Fe can return 36/31/34 mpg city/highway/combined in the Blue trim, dropping to 33/30/32 mpg for other trims.

The show's real star is the plug-in hybrid model, which can do 31 miles on electricity alone. Once the battery is depleted, its combined fuel consumption drops down to 33 mpg, which is one mpg worse than the most frugal hybrid model. On both gas and electric power, it returns 76 MPGe combined.

ICE models are equipped with an 18.8-gallon fuel tank, the hybrid gets a 17.7-gallon tank, and PHEV variants can carry up to 12.4 gallons. In the best-case scenario, you're looking at a theoretical driving range of 488 miles for the ICE models. The Blue hybrid can go just over 600 miles on a full tank, which is mighty impressive. If you have a 220V/240V outlet at home, fully charging the PHEV's 13.8-kWh lithium-ion battery should take about four hours.