Look, Hyundai and I have a very deep relationship. I’ve gotten to know a few Hyundai Santa Fe models on a very deeplevel and ended up still being surprised. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid ups the ante.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid worth buying? 

Yes, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is worth buying, especially for larger families that want to save money on gas. 

I’ve been off-roading with the Santa Fe XRT model, comforted by the high-end Calligraphy model, and impressed by the well-equipped SEL trim. 

When I heard that the Santa Fe Hybrid model was coming my way, I wasn’t that excited. I wondered what I had left to learn about this boxy SUV and I was wrong to be pessimistic. 

The hybrid engine delivers a noticeable performance difference with athletic attributes and efficiency compared to the standard gas engine. 

With the standard setup, you get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It has an instant power delivery with the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.3 seconds, which is fair for the class. 

In some instances, I didn’t experience a little lag while passing others, but the delay for full power is hard to notice. 

The engine isn’t too loud and you hear an occasional deep roar while accelerating. Also, it gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 28 mpg on the highway. I got about 23.4 mpg during my trips with the standard engine. 

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid steps things up with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor to generate 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. 

It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds but has a smooth power delivery until reaching top speeds. That moment of lag with the gas-powered model isn’t an issue. It provides a more refined athletic experience even if the acceleration takes a slight hit. 

You can hear the electric power whirl before the engine provides deep and satisfying growls. The electric whirls might sound annoying to some but I liked it. It meant I was using electricity instead of gas, so it’s basically the sound of saving money. 

Plus, there is an indicator that pops up on the digital gauge cluster while using eclectic power, so you know when you’re saving fuel. 

It gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and up to 35 mpg on the highway. This is spot on! I hovered around 34 mpg during my week with highway trips, errands in the city, and light off-roading. 

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a 17.7-gallon fuel tank and a range of about 513 miles between fill-ups. Upgrading to the hybrid engine only costs between $500 to $3,000 based on trim level. It makes this bargain of an SUV even better.