2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Plug-In Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Hyundai has added a plug-in hybrid option, joining the gas-powered and traditional hybrid offerings in the Santa Fe lineup.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a popular compact crossover with seating for five passengers. It’s a value-oriented option in a hotly competitive class, and it’s only gotten better as the years go on. So what’s new for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)? Everything! Though there’s been a Santa Fe Hybrid model for some years now to complement the regular gasoline-powered Santa Fe, the PHEV model joins the lineup this year, giving shoppers the option of a practical, affordable small crossover SUV with the added versatility of some fully electric range. This new Santa Fe variant is part of Hyundai’s larger push into more electrification options for their vehicles.

The new 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV builds on the Santa Fe Hybrid, which is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Santa Fe PHEV’s battery pack increases horsepower and torque over the regular hybrid model, up to 261 hp and 224 lb-ft, as well as adding up to 30 miles of fully electric range on a full charge. Hyundai says it takes about four hours to fully charge the battery on a 240-volt outlet, but the automaker hasn’t yet provided estimates for how long it takes to charge on a standard household 120-volt outlet.

The Santa Fe PHEV is rated for 76 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent) combined when running on electric power, and 33 mpg combined on gas power. So, while the Santa Fe PHEV is a bit more expensive than the Santa Fe Hybrid, it also offers more power and efficiency.

The Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV seats five passengers across two rows. Though it’s a compact crossover, there’s plenty of room in both rows, even for adults to sit in the second row. Cloth upholstery comes standard, though leather upholstery is available. Base models also get heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, power-folding rear seats to help easily expand the cargo space when necessary, and a hands-free power liftgate for easy cargo loading. Speaking of cargo, the Santa Fe Hybrid lineup offers some of the best cargo specs in the class, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Santa Fe PHEV’s infotainment system is housed in an 8-inch touch-screen display, and other features include Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and wireless smartphone charging. The display can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch unit, and a Harman Kardon stereo system is available. There’s a long list of standard safety features, including a backup camera, adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, front automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is available now at Hyundai dealerships. This compact crossover SUV has a starting MSRP of $39,350 for the base trim (compared to a starting price of $33,750 for the regular Santa Fe Hybrid). The Santa Fe PHEV in top Limited trim starts at $45,360.