I’m in the market for a mid-size SUV, upgrading from my Mazda CX-5. I need a bit more space now, though I don’t really need a third row—it’d probably be folded most of the time.
The Santa Fe Hybrid has caught my eye, especially with all the tech, and it’s my wife’s favorite choice so far. My biggest question is reliability. My Mazda has over 150k miles on it and hasn’t given me any trouble.
So, if any of you own a Santa Fe Hybrid, I’d love to hear about your experience! Why should (or shouldn’t) I go for it?
It’s a bit early to say much about reliability with the 2025 model being so new, but my 2025 feels well-built so far. And with the long warranty, it gives me some peace of mind.
Service availability could be a concern, though—I’ve heard mixed reviews lately. But as for the car itself, I’m really happy with the hybrid.
Mazda ranks higher than Hyundai in reliability overall, but I just traded my CX-9 for a Santa Fe, and it feels like I got so much more for my money! The tech and features on the Santa Fe top trim beat out the CX-70, which was also $10k more. Mazda doesn’t even offer a touchscreen, and that dial was a big factor in my decision to switch.
Eli said: @Lyle
I’m considering the CX-70 and CX-90 too. How was your CX-9? Why’d you decide to trade it? Seems like it shouldn’t be too old yet.
I had a two-year lease on the CX-9, and honestly, I couldn’t wait to trade it. It was a lower trim, and I kept feeling like I settled. Then there was a recall—the battery kept dying, even after they replaced it, and it turned out that the start button would get stuck and drain the battery. They finally fixed it, but it was a stressful time.
Eli said: @Lyle
I’m considering the CX-70 and CX-90 too. How was your CX-9? Why’d you decide to trade it? Seems like it shouldn’t be too old yet.
I’ve tried out most of these SUVs. I didn’t find the CX-70 or CX-90 seats very comfortable; they seemed to make you lean forward, especially if you raise the seat up to sit higher. Santa Fe, EV9, and the XC90 felt the best to me, with good road noise reduction too. I’d probably go with the Santa Fe or EV9 for comfort.
My one worry with the Santa Fe is hearing about airbag recalls and some 2024s needing transmission replacements around 6,000 miles. Even with the warranty, I’d be nervous about such a big repair.
My parents had a 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid Limited, which has the same drivetrain as the current model. Only issue in 39 months was a small oil leak from a warped valve cover.
Then my mom got T-boned, and the car rolled. Amazingly, she walked away with just seatbelt bruises! We just picked up a 2025 Hybrid Calligraphy, and she’s absolutely thrilled with it.
Eli said: @Harlow
Didn’t realize the drivetrain carried over from the previous gen! That’s great to know—thanks for sharing.
Yep! The 2.5 Turbo and 1.6 Hybrid were both introduced in the 2021 update, and they’re the same in the 2024+. They did drop the 2.5 NA model for 2024 because the car got bigger and heavier.
Hard to say how reliable it’ll be long-term since it’s my first Hyundai and my first hybrid. Coming from Toyota and Lexus, though, I feel good about it since Hyundai’s hybrid system has been used in other models. The warranty definitely gives me some peace of mind.
I traded in a 2022 CX-30 for a 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid and couldn’t be happier. It’s way more bang for the buck compared to the CX-70/90. My main concern is reliability too, but that’s why I went for the 100,000-mile warranty. I also got a 10-year bumper-to-bumper plan just to be safe.
@Haru
Extended warranty on a new car used to be unnecessary, but I think you made a smart choice. There’s so much potential for issues these days, and that extra coverage can be a lifesaver.
We love our Hybrid Calligraphy so much we bought a second one! Both 2025s. The warranty covers all hybrid parts for 100,000 miles / 10 years, and the rest of the car is covered for 60,000 miles / 5 years. We’re not too worried about reliability and are really enjoying the tech and smooth ride!