Hyundai invited GT: Garage Talk out to Tennessee to sample the Calligraphy and XRT AWD variants of their new 3-row crossover the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. How good were they on curvy Tennessee country roads and through the woods?
NEED TO KNOW
The 2024 Santa Fe is an all-new design adding an optional third row for the first time in the nameplate’s U.S. history.
Calligraphy tops out at $50,905 as tested with the full luxury package; XRT as tested was $42,205.
The XRT comes standard with 245/60 R18 Continental TerrainContact all-terrain tires for off-road capability.
Both trims offer an optional 1.6L turbocharged hybrid powertrain alongside the standard 2.5L turbo.
HTRAC AWD provides up to a 50:50 front-to-rear torque split across six available drive modes including Sand/Mud.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy 2.5T AWD
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy 2.5T AWD Specs:
Standard 2.5L Turbocharged 4-cylinder Engine
277 Horsepower
311 lb-ft of Torque
8-speed Automatic
Optional 1.6L Turbocharged Hybrid 4-cylinder
231 Combined Horsepower
271 Combined lb-ft of Torque
6-speed Automatic
FWD or HTRAC AWD Active On-demand
6 Drive Modes (Depending on Model/Trim)
Comfort
Eco
Sport
Smart
Snow
Sand/Mud
Torque Split up to 50:50 Front:Rear
Seating for 6
Heated Steering Wheel
Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
Heated Second Row Captain’s Chairs
Nappa Leather-trimmed Seating
8-way Power Driver’s Seat with Lumbar & Recline Mode
8-way Power Passenger Seat with Lumbar
2-person Front Seat Memory Settings
50/50 Manual Folding Third Row Seats
Eco-suede Microfiber Headliner
21-inch Black Alloy Wheels
245/45 R21 Pirelli Scorpion Tires
14.6 Cubic Feet of Storage Space Behind the Rear Seats
40.5 Cubic Feet of Storage Space Behind the Second Row
79.6 Cubic Feet Behind the First Row
12.3-inch Infotainment Screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy 2.5T AWD and XRT 2.5T AWD (trim comparison first drive)
4
OVERALL SCORE
PROS
Hyundai invited the team to Tennessee for a first drive on curvy country roads and through the woods
Calligraphy delivers premium features including Nappa leather, dual sunroofs, 12-in HUD, and UV-C sanitizer compartment
XRT brings all-terrain Continental tires and rugged styling with seven-seat capacity
Both trims share a strong 277-hp 2.5L turbo engine with 311 lb-ft, 8-speed auto, and HTRAC AWD
Available HybridMAX powertrain and comprehensive Hyundai SmartSense safety suite across trims
CONS
XRT uses H-Tex leatherette rather than real leather seating despite its near-$42K price
Third-row seating is manual folding only on both trims tested
Disclosure: GT: Garage Talk is reader- and advertiser-supported. Some posts include affiliate links or feature vehicles, products, or sponsorships provided to us — we may earn a commission or receive compensation. Our reviews and opinions are always our own. Learn more.
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