The All-New 2022 Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid

Hyundai continues to make a massive impact in the American market. A brand that was overlooked in its early years, it has now earned its place as one of the leading automakers for combining value and quality.

Hyundai has also earned a spot as one of the more innovative brands on the market. They have stepped up and become one of the most forward-thinking carmakers in terms of environmentally conscious vehicles. They offer five hybrids in their line-up, along with three PHEVs and three all-electric vehicles. While the 2021 Elantra Hybrid was the 2021 North American Car of the Year, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) may be the most impressive vehicle yet in the Hyundai hybrid lineup.

Performance Features

Under the hood of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV is a hybrid drivetrain consisting of an inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and a 66.9-kW electric motor. These combine for a total system horsepower of 261 horses and offers 224 lb-ft of electric torque that is instantly applied when you step on the gas. All-wheel drive is standard, making the Santa Fe ready to tackle all sorts of roads and weather conditions, with power coming to it through a six-speed automatic transmission. This all comes together to provide 33 MPG combined city and highway, or 76 MPGe. The Santa Fe PHEV can go up to 30 miles on a full charge on electric alone. It can also tow up to 1650 pounds, or up to 2,000 pounds when equipped with trailer brakes.

On top of this, the minute you step on the gas, you forget you’re driving a hybrid. The acceleration is snappy, not the usual hybrid gradual acceleration. The shift from the electric power to gas power is smooth. There is no trouble merging or overtaking on the highway, and the handling on the back roads is composed, and feels more like you’re driving the smaller Tucson!

Style and Technology

Both for cargo and passengers, the 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid provides plenty of space. There is seating for five, which includes 40.8 inches of rear leg room and 56.3 inches of rear hip room – plenty for even large adults to feel comfortable, and some of the roomiest seats in the mid-size SUV segment. At the same time, you can store up to 36.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row, or up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo with the second row stowed. Again, these dimensions are class leaders. All of this is done in a sensible style, with sharp design, soft-touch surfaces, and high-quality upholstery that sits at the upper end of the non-luxury classes.

Hyundai has worked hard to make the Santa Fe attractive and easy to use. A hands-free power liftgate and power-folding back seats are standard across all trim levels. Dual-zone automatic climate control makes it easy for everyone to get the temperature that makes them comfortable. The standard 8-inch touch screen infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch screen. Bluetooth hands-free is standard on all models. Proximity keyless entry is standard, as is wireless device charging. Four USB ports makes it easy for everyone to charge their phone or mobile device.

Hyundai’s BlueLink® connected car service is complimentary for three years and includes a bevy of features connected with your smartphone. Lock and unlock your vehicle from your phone, and start it remotely with climate control kicking in. Get on demand diagnostics and alerts to monitor the health of your Santa Fe. And never forget where you parked – Remote Car Finder will guide you back to your vehicle, showing exactly where you parked.

Safety

There is no shortage of safety systems in the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV. This is a great example of why Hyundai has won over so many families when it comes to being the vehicle of choice. Almost all of the safety systems are standard at the base level. This includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection; stop-and-go adaptive cruise control; lane tracing assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, rear parking sensors, a rear seat reminder, driver attention monitoring, and a rearview camera with parking guidance. The innovative Safe Exit Assist is a feature that is ahead of its time, and standard on all Santa Fe PHEVs, as is Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert. Available advanced safety features include the Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

Trim Levels

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV is limited to two trim levels, with both of them providing impressive comfort.

At the base SEL Convenience trim, you get cloth seating and headliner, power amenities, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Front seats are heated, with the driver seat having 8-way power adjustability. The 8-inch touch screen unit offers one power and one data USB port, while two power USB ports are included for rear seat passengers.

Stepping up to the Limited trim brings everything else with it. Upgrade to leather upholstery and mélange headliner, with ventilated and heated front seats and heated rear seats. A panoramic sunroof opens up the cabin on nice days. The front driver seat gets four-way power lumbar, leg cushion extension, and integrated memory to keep your seat setting, while the passenger seat gets 8-way power adjustability. The steering wheel is also heated. A bigger 10.25 touch screen with navigation replaces the 8-inch unit, and a Harman Kardon Premium Audio system with 12 speakers, which uses Clari-Fi™ Music Restoration Technology and QuantumLogic® Surround, is standard. Safety is improved as well by adding in the Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.