I’ve had my Santa Fe Calligraphy for 8 months now, and I’m curious—does anyone actually use the UV-C sanitizer tray? I’ve mostly used it to show off to friends and family or just out of boredom while sitting in traffic. It feels like a bit of a gimmick to me, but maybe I’m just lazy about sanitizing stuff?
Edit: Thanks to someone for pointing out it’s officially called the “UV-C Sterilizer.”
Devon said:
I always assumed it was something they added because of the pandemic.
That makes sense. Someone told me it takes 4-5 years to go from designing a car to producing it, so they probably thought UV sanitization would be a big selling point back in 2020.
I didn’t think I’d use it much, but I carry multiple devices every day, so I toss them in there on my way home. Sometimes I forget, or I leave stuff in there by accident, but honestly, it’s better than an empty ledge like some older cars had. I’m not complaining!
Zayne said:
I use it often! I work in home healthcare, and sometimes regular wipes don’t feel like enough. It’s a great backup for sanitizing my phone.
I always thought it seemed gimmicky when the 2024 Santa Fe came out. A few people argued with me, but let’s be real—most people use it once or twice and forget about it. Unless you’re a germaphobe, it’s just not a daily-use feature.
Mine doesn’t have the UV-C sanitizer, but the space is still there as an upper glovebox. I usually toss sunglasses or random stuff in there. It’s not super useful, but it’s better than nothing.
Honestly, it feels gimmicky. My salesperson mentioned the car was designed during the pandemic, so they probably thought this feature would be more popular.
I use it maybe once or twice a week, but I wouldn’t miss it if it weren’t there.
I tossed my daughter’s stuffed animal in there after a trip to the mall. She’s an adult now, but if she were still a kid, it would’ve been a lifesaver for sanitizing things like pacifiers. I’ve also used it on my phone after work a few times.
I’ve used it a few times. The first time, I forgot my phone was in there and panicked when I couldn’t find it. I thought I’d dropped it at a store! Turns out it was still sitting in the UV-C tray.