Although this generation of the Santa Fe has been around since 2024, Hyundai has recently updated the car. There’s more power and – more importantly – the towing capacity is much improved. There’s a choice of hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, but no diesel.

What are we looking for?

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239PS Ultimate 4WD now the tow car it always should have been and is it one of the best caravan tow cars?

Towing ability of the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239PS Ultimate 4WD

After launching with a hopeless towing capacity of just over a tonne, the Santa Fe now has the sort of towing limit you’d hope for from a big hybrid SUV for towing a caravan. Choose the full hybrid we’ve been driving, and the capacity is 2000kg. Go for the more expensive plug-in hybrid and that drops to 1700kg, which is still high enough to tow from a broad choice of family tourers when matching a car to a caravan.

The hybrid 4×4 (a front-wheel-drive version is also available) has a kerbweight of 2040kg, including 75kg for the driver. That gives an 85% match figure of 1734kg.

To put the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239PS Ultimate 4WD to the test, we borrowed a Swift Conqueror 580 with a Mass in Running Order of 1503kg from Spinney Warwickshire.

With 239hp and 280 lb ft of torque, the petrol-electric powertrain can handle any appropriately matched tourer. We found the Hyundai easily towed up to 60mph and held that speed on inclines with no sign of strain. However, there wasn’t an awful lot in reserve for overtaking.

The driver's seat and dashboard in the Santa Fe
Two touch screens merge into one, seats are very comfortable and look good in cream

Stability is what really matters while towing, and we were thoroughly impressed. In a stiff breeze there are some slight movements from the caravan that tug at the back of the car, but in most conditions the Santa Fe towed straight and true.

Our testing took place in dry weather, but in the wet sending power to all four wheels would be a clear benefit. As it was, we had no trouble with traction pulling away from junctions or making a hill start with the hybrid car. The electronic parking brake was up to the job of holding car and caravan still on a 1-in-6 slope and released smoothly.

Under light load the engine sometimes shuts off completely while towing and leaves the electric motor to do the work. This makes for very quiet progress. When the
petrol engine restarts it does so very smoothly. While driving gently you hardly notice the engine cutting in and out. Accelerate harder, though, and the engine can sound a little strained.

The Santa Fe
It’s not as long as it looks and tows very well

Arrive at the campsite and the big Hyundai is quite easy to manoeuvre, helped by a clear rear-view camera.

When the time comes to hitch-up to return home, you’ll find the caravan towing electrics are tucked a long way under the rear bumper.

Hyundai’s brochure shows a drop-down towbar is also available instead of the detachable bar fitted to our test car. This has the electrics more conveniently located on the side of the towbar.

The detachable towbar
We had a detachable towbar but Hyundai offers a drop-down version with more accessible electrics than shown here

Solo driving the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239PS Ultimate 4WD

Keen drivers will prefer the likes of the BMW X3 or Cupra Formentor, although neither of these cars are as practical as the Santa Fe. The Hyundai handles well enough for a big SUV but fun is not on the agenda.

Instead, the Santa Fe offers a quiet and comfortable drive whether you are on local trips or driving long distances.

The boot
Nice wide opening to the boot and the lip is pretty flat – the high roofline also makes this a practical space to stow all your gear

The suspension has been tuned to be forgiving over poor surfaces rather than offering sporty cornering, which we think will suit most potential buyers. You do hear some thumping from the suspension on rough surfaces, but otherwise the car remains quiet and comfortable.

At a steady 70mph on the motorway, it’s easy to hold a conversation without raised voices. The Santa Fe is quiet at town speeds, too, often relying on the electric motor to creep along in traffic.

Space and practicality in the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239PS Ultimate 4WD

With lots of room and plenty of clever thinking, the Santa Fe is one of the most practical seven-seater on sale.

In the front, there’s a wide range of electrical adjustment for the seat and steering wheel. We found the driving position to be comfortable and supportive over a full day behind the wheel.

The dash is dominated by twin screens, which sit next to each other to effectively form one display. We found the touch screen reasonably easy to use although the colour
scheme is a little sombre. As you’d expect, it’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The middle row
Middle row passengers can stretch out and the flat floor makes it comfy for three. There’s a third row of seats behind too

Beneath the infotainment display is another touch screen for the air conditioning, although there are rotary controls for temperature which are easy to use without taking your eyes from the road.

Useful features are everywhere you look, with twin wireless charging pads, two gloveboxes, and storage under the driver’s armrest that opens from both ends.

The middle row is very spacious, with plenty of head and legroom for adults even if those in the front are tall. The almost flat floor and plentiful shoulder room mean three passengers should be comfortable.

The third row is fine for kids or for adults on short journeys. Sliding the middle row forwards frees up more legroom if needed.

With every seat in place the boot has enough space for a weekly shop. Fold the third row and there’s a generous 628 litres for your holiday bags.

Buying and owning a Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239PS Ultimate 4WD

The Hyundai is not a cheap car, but research shows there are deals to be done that knock thousands from the price.

Despite the name, Ultimate is the mid-range model, although you wouldn’t know from the generous specification.

The official combined economy figure is 39.2mpg, which we matched or beat during our time with the car. While towing, the Hyundai returned 25.3mpg.

Alternatives to consider

You could take a look at the diesel Audi Q5 TDI 204PS Quattro S line, a car which tows securely and is satisfying to drive.

Or how about the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT-Line S AWD? It’s a car which is good at towing and comes with a quality cab.

You can also see what we have to say about buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe.

Technical specification of the Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239PS Ultimate 4WD

  • Price: £54,695
  • Kerbweight: 2040kg*
  • 85% of kerbweight: 1734kg
  • Gross vehicle weight: 2675kg
  • Max towing limit: 2000kg
  • Gross train weight: 4675kg
  • Towball limit: 100kg
  • Price of towball and electrics: Contact dealer
  • Boot size: 628-1949 litres
  • Payload: 635kg
  • Test conditions: Dry
  • Engine capacity: 1598cc
  • Power (hp)/rpm: 239/NA
  • Torque (lb ft)/rpm: 280/NA
  • Official combined economy: 39.2mpg
  • Towing economy: 25.3mpg
  • CO2 emissions: 164g/km
  • First year car tax: £1410
  • Second year car tax: £640
  • Insurance group: 40D
  • Euro NCAP overall protection rating: 5/5

*Including 75kg for the driver not included in Hyundai’s published kerbweight

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