What is this thing on my Santa Fe?

I just got this car recently and was curious about this corner piece. I know in the US version (I’m in Europe), it’s supposed to be some kind of phone holder. But in my car, it just seems like an empty square. It’s vaguely magnetic, so I was wondering if it’s meant to hold your phone or something?

Does anyone know what this is actually for?


On your model, it’s just a placeholder. On higher trims, it’s where the fingerprint sensor is located.

Rory said:
On your model, it’s just a placeholder. On higher trims, it’s where the fingerprint sensor is located.

And honestly, I never use mine, lol.

Uma said:

Rory said:
On your model, it’s just a placeholder. On higher trims, it’s where the fingerprint sensor is located.

And honestly, I never use mine, lol.

Not trying to troll, but my wife and I use this feature daily. It’s kind of finicky, but we love being able to drive the car without a key. I think the fingerprint is needed for that (though correct me if I’m wrong).

@Reese
Mine doesn’t have the fingerprint sensor, and I can still drive without a key. Just need my phone in the car.

Landry said:
@Reese
Mine doesn’t have the fingerprint sensor, and I can still drive without a key. Just need my phone in the car.

Interesting. Do you have to enter a passcode or something? If so, I guess the fingerprint just makes it slightly more convenient.

Uma said:

Rory said:
On your model, it’s just a placeholder. On higher trims, it’s where the fingerprint sensor is located.

And honestly, I never use mine, lol.

I haven’t even set mine up yet. Realized I needed both key fobs to do it, and I never bring both with me. Half the time, I don’t even bring keys because my phone works just fine.

Rory said:
On your model, it’s just a placeholder. On higher trims, it’s where the fingerprint sensor is located.

I’ve never brought a key into my car. Love that feature!

Ainsley said:

Rory said:
On your model, it’s just a placeholder. On higher trims, it’s where the fingerprint sensor is located.

I’ve never brought a key into my car. Love that feature!

Same here! But my car sometimes has quirks, like unlocking inconsistently or randomly opening the trunk. I usually end up pulling out my phone to fix it.

@Reese
The trunk issue drives me nuts too. I think there’s a setting to turn it off, but I haven’t checked yet. For the locks, I’ve just gotten used to using the app or Apple Pay to unlock.

If you have the Calligraphy trim, that’s where the fingerprint reader is located.

Freeman said:
If you have the Calligraphy trim, that’s where the fingerprint reader is located.

In Australia, we don’t get the fingerprint reader on the Calligraphy trim. Mine just has the same panel as in your picture.

@Keir
And flipped to the opposite side, obviously. :joy:

@Keir
Honestly, I’d trade the fingerprint sensor for a bench seat option in the Calligraphy any day.

Teo said:
@Keir
Honestly, I’d trade the fingerprint sensor for a bench seat option in the Calligraphy any day.

Totally agree! We’d have gone for the Calligraphy if it had a bench seat like other luxury SUVs.

Freeman said:
If you have the Calligraphy trim, that’s where the fingerprint reader is located.

I have the Calligraphy, and mine doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor either. Guess it depends on the market.

On the Calligraphy, it’s a giant fingerprint reader…for some reason.

Sydney said:
On the Calligraphy, it’s a giant fingerprint reader…for some reason.

And it’s the worst! Mine takes like five or six tries to work, so I usually just end up entering the passcode.

@Steele
I turned mine off entirely. Didn’t see the point.

Stevie said:
@Steele
I turned mine off entirely. Didn’t see the point.

Same here. We only plan to use it when our kid starts driving so we can program a specific profile for them.