If you need a new SUV, then the Hyundai Santa Fe checks a lot of boxes. It’s comfortable, advanced, and spacious. However, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid may fall short compared to rivals such as the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. 

Three potential 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid drawbacks 

There are plenty of excellent things to say about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. It starts at $34,300 and provides tons of luxury at this affordable price. For example, it has standard all-wheel drive. 

Plus, it’s fast, smooth, and engaging as a daily driver. The interior is upscale and spacious, especially with the cargo divider in the in-floor trunk. But this hybrid isn’t perfect and has a few drawbacks to consider. 

1. The Santa Fe Hybrid could have a better fuel economy 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, and a lithium-ion battery pack. It cranks out 226 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.9 seconds, which is adequate. 

According to Edmunds, it gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and up to 30 mpg on the highway. It gets about 10 more mpg than the gas-powered model. However, the Hona CR-V Hybrid gets up to 40 mpg in the city and up to 35 mpg on the highway. 

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrids gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and up to 38 mpg on the highway. But the Santa Fe may excel with a better ride quality and performance. 

2. The Santa Fe Hybrid could use more space 

Cargo space in the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is a little limited. You can access 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.1 cubes total. 

It loses about two inches of legroom compared to the gas-powered model, but this manly impacts passengers in the second row. Some rivals may offer more space in the trunk area, but the Santa Fe has a good amount of space overall. 

The seats fold flat to create a level load floor. The rear hatch has a convenient liftover height and a wide opening for loading bulky items. The center console is shallow, but there are storage trays, cubbies, and shelves throughout the cabin.  

3. The Santa Fe Hybrid has tech issues to correct 

According to the Car Connection, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t have wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with the larger, 10.3-inch touchscreen. This is odd. It should be included with the software. 

Edmunds mentioned that the touchscreen can be slow to respond, but everything worked quickly in our gas-powered model. 

The head-up display and digital gauge cluster look great and provide fast responses. The system is easy to learn, and you can customize your menus and settings, such as the ambient lighting color, in a matter of seconds. 

Overall, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a well-rounded option that’s smooth, comfortable, and advanced. However, rivals may offer more passenger space, better fuel economy, and faster software.