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Note: Between 2020 and 2023, the Santa Fe was strictly a two-row vehicle, with the three-row option replaced by the Hyundai
- Family-Friendly Tech That Actually Makes Life Easier: Features like Quiet Mode and Passenger Talk that make everyday driving with kids so much easier. It’s the kind of tech you’ll actually use daily.
- Premium Interior at a Non-Luxury Price: The interior feels surprisingly premium for the price, with beautiful materials, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a panoramic sunroof. It truly feels more expensive than it is.
- Strong Value for the Price: The Santa Fe delivers incredible value for the price, packing in safety features, comfort, and design all under $40K. It’s a well-rounded SUV that checks a lot of boxes for families.
The Exterior
First Impressions: A Mini Palisade with Major Style
The Santa Fe Calligraphy is beautiful.
Hyundai absolutely nailed the exterior with:
- A cascading chrome grille that feels elevated but not over-the-top
- Stunning LED daytime running lights
- Clean, cohesive body lines
From the side, it gives serious mini Palisade energy, which is a huge compliment. You’re getting that same upscale look—just in a smaller, more affordable package.
First Row
Interior: Premium Feel Without the Premium Price
This is where Hyundai really shines.
Inside the Santa Fe, you get:
- High-quality materials throughout
- Contrast stitching and thoughtful design details
- Harman Kardon sound system (huge win at this price point)
- A panoramic sunroof that brings in great natural light
The center console has that “bridge” design, which gives it a slightly elevated, cockpit-like feel—almost like a minivan layout, but still very much an SUV.
There’s also a dedicated phone slot with wireless charging, which I love—not just for convenience, but for safety. Having a place to secure your phone matters.
Technology & Family-Friendly Features
The Santa Fe is packed with smart features that make everyday mom life easier:
- Apple CarPlay
- Digital driver display with customizable themes
- Quiet Mode (lowers volume in the second row for sleeping kids 🙌)
- Passenger Talk (projects your voice to the back seats—no more yelling)
These are the kinds of features that seem small until you’re using them every single day.
Second Row
Second Row + Car Seat Reality
This is where things get interesting.
Can you do 3-across?
Yes… but it’s tricky.
I was able to get a 3-across setup, but:
- It required very specific car seats
- It required advanced installation techniques
- It will NOT work with every combination
For most families:
- Great for 1–2 car seats
- Possible for 3-across with the right setup
- Not beginner-friendly for 3-across installs
Legroom and headroom are excellent, and it’s comfortable for both kids and adults.
Third Row
Trunk
Cargo Space: A Total Win
Since Hyundai removed the third row, you get seriously impressive trunk space.
- Easily fits a double stroller with room to spare
- Tons of underfloor storage
- Multiple compartments for organization
- Hands-free power liftgate
Car Mom take:
This is a 10/10 trunk for a two-row SUV.
Safety
One thing I really appreciate—Hyundai includes advanced safety features as standard.
You’re getting:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic braking
- Lane keeping assist
Plus, the Santa Fe is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, which is the highest rating possible.
Car Seat Fit:
- Great for 1–2 car seats
- Tight for 3-across setups
- Not ideal if you need a person sitting between two car seats
Rear-facing and forward-facing seats both fit well, and headrests are removable, which helps with installs.
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