For both towing and solo driving, this comfortable seven-seater provides excellent performance
Price £47,760 Kerbweight 1842kg Towing limit 1650kg
What’s new?
Hyundai updated the Santa Fe SUV in 2021, offering new looks, and hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains alongside the familiar diesel. The plug-in is the more powerful of the two new engine options, but the regular hybrid is more affordable to buy and has a higher towing limit. It’s available in both two- and four-wheel-drive guises.
We’ve been testing the 4x4. In high-spec Ultimate trim, it costs £47,760.
What are we looking for?
The Santa Fe has been a popular choice for caravanners since 2001, but most examples sold over the past couple of decades have been diesel-powered. How does the hybrid perform, in everyday driving and as a tow car? Should it be caravanners’ first choice?
Towing ability
Not so long ago, choosing an engine for your Santa Fe was easy – there was just the one, a 2.2-litre diesel. You can still buy a diesel, but more buyers now choose one of the hybrids. The plug-in is the most powerful in the range, with 265hp, but it’s expensive and the towing limit is a modest 1350kg.
Despite having less power, the regular hybrid has a more useful maximum towing figure of 1650kg. Hyundai quotes a range of kerbweights from 1842-1980kg. Working from the lower weight gives an 85% match figure of 1566kg. We matched the Santa Fe to a Swift Fairway Platinum Grande 580 with a MiRO of 1505kg.
Hitching up was mostly straightforward. The removable towbar quickly locked into place. However, the electrical socket was some way under the back bumper, so we had to reach underneath to twist the plug home. It would be better if the socket were not so far under the car and hard to reach. Fitting towing mirrors was easy, because the housing isn’t heavily curved.
On the road, the Hyundai immediately felt at home with a caravan in tow. With the petrol engine and the electric motor working together, car and van accelerated briskly
