The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe continues to pace the 2-row SUV field, offering numerous trims, features, and price points. For 2022, a new XRT trim joins the lineup, displaying a sporty appearance but no extra muscle or off-road ability.
The Santa Fe’s standard equipment list is generous to a fault, as is its list of advanced driver assists. And though many rivals offer the same level of sophistication and features, they struggle to match the Santa Fe’s pricing and impressively long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
An available 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine offers impressive power and performance, but the standard 191-hp non-turbo engine has more than enough power to satisfy most drivers.
The Santa Fe is a front-drive SUV, with all trims offering the option of all-wheel drive. A Santa Fe hybrid and plug-in hybrid will be reviewed separately.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SE (Starting at $27,200)
The SE is the entry-level Santa Fe trim, and while nicely equipped, we don’t understand its purpose. After all, the SEL trim offers more features and options yet only costs an additional $1,800.
The SE trim includes the aforementioned 191-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The Santa Fe’s engine comes equipped with Idle Stop & Go, which shuts down the engine when idling at a stop.
Hyundai’s Drive Mode Select allows the driver to choose between Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The three modes vary the throttle response, steering feel, and transmission shift points, allowing for either quicker response or better fuel economy, depending on your preference.
On the safety front, the Santa Fe SE includes all mandated airbag and stability systems, plus trailer sway control. Hill Start Assist prevents the Santa Fe from rolling backward when starting on a steep grade.
Looking at the SE’s exterior, we find 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with LED accents plus body-colored side mirrors, door handles, and rear spoiler.
Moving to the cabin, the SE offers a pleasing environment with plenty of soft-touch materials. YES Essentials stain-resistant cloth upholstery covers the seats, while a “floating” center console design frees up additional space by replacing the traditional gear selector lever with a less-intrusive push-button design.
The SE’s 60/40 split-folding rear seat includes a folding center armrest and reclining seatbacks for both sides, with rear-console-mounted air vents to keep back-seat passengers comfortable.
Also standard are power door locks, remote keyless entry, driver’s auto up/down power window, single-zone air conditioning, and lighted vanity mirrors with sliding extensions. The manually operated front seats include driver’s seat manual height adjustment.
An unexpected feature at this price point is the Santa Fe’s adaptive cruise control with stop/start. This feature enables the Santa Fe to automatically slow or stop in traffic and then resume speed once the vehicle ahead begins to move.
The SE’s steering wheel both tilts and telescopes and features buttons for audio, cruise, and Bluetooth phone control.
An 8-inch touchscreen handles infotainment duty and includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. The SE’s touchscreen also serves as a monitor for the rearview camera. Dual front and rear USB charge ports and a front 12-volt outlet are also standard, as is Rear Seat Quiet Mode, a feature allowing the driver to silence the rear speakers.
When it comes to driver safety, the Santa Fe SE possesses an arsenal of good stuff. Forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection are standard, as is Junction-Turning Detection that will intervene if making an unsafe left turn across oncoming traffic. Lane-keeping assist and Lane Following helps keep the Santa Fe centered in its lane, and a sensor alerts when the driver appears distracted or possibly falling asleep at the wheel.
Automatic on/off headlights include auto high beams that automatically dim when sensing oncoming headlights. At the same time, Rear Occupant Alert reminds an exiting driver to check the rear seat for passengers or pets.
All-wheel drive adds another $1,700 to the SE’s bottom line.
With the $1,185 destination fee, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SE sells for $28,385. With no money down on a 60-month loan at 3% financing, the monthly payment comes to $510. Find a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SE for sale
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Includes:
- Automatic emergency braking – Using a windshield-mounted camera, the Santa Fe monitors vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists in its path and alerts the driver of a possible collision. If the driver fails to respond, the system can slow and even stop the car before a collision can occur.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – This feature allows Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless integration, eliminating unsightly wires running across the dash.
- Adaptive cruise control – Automatically maintains a safe distance between the Santa Fe and the vehicles ahead. The system can slow or stop as needed, then resume speed as traffic begins to flow again.
- YES Essentials fabric – helps repel stains, spills, and odors, allowing the Santa Fe’s cloth seats to endure years of abuse and still look new.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL (Starting at $29,000)
The SEL is what we consider a value leader, meaning it offers the most value for the least amount of money. Better equipped than the SE, the SEL trim also opens the door to two option packages that make the Santa Fe SEL as plush as some high-end luxury makes.
The SEL uses the same powertrain setup as the SE. Its exterior is nearly identical, the few exceptions being a chrome accent grille, roof rails, and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Upgrades to the SEL cabin include 8-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, heated front seats, front passenger auto up/down power window, and wireless charging pad.
With the standard proximity key, gaining access to the Santa Fe requires nothing more than pressing a button on the door handle. A push-button on the dash starts the engine, but the fob may also be used for remote start from outside the vehicle.
The SEL’s infotainment system gains SiriusXM satellite radio and HD radio, plus access to Hyundai Blue Link Connected Services.
Additional safety enhancements include ablind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Hyundai’s Safe Exit Assist that warns exiting rear-seat passengers of approaching traffic. If the system detects an approaching car, it will lock the door, send an audible tone, and illuminate a warning icon in the instrument cluster.
Optional equipment for the SEL comes bundled into two packages. The Convenience Package ($1,700) adds a hands-free power liftgate with an auto-open feature, dual-zone automatic climate control, manual rear side sunshades, and exterior puddle lamps. The Rear Occupant Alert system gets upgraded with ultrasonic sensors that can detect motion inside the cabin and send the driver a text message to check the back seat.
Also in the Convenience Package are a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power-release second-row folding seats. Hyundai’s Digital Key allows the Santa Fe to be unlocked, started, and driven using a smartphone. Users can also create up to three shared digital keys that can be sent to friends or family via an app.
The Premium Package ($4,060) requires the Convenience Package and adds leather upholstery, an 8-way power passenger seat, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Regrettably, with the upgrade to the 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are no longer wireless.
Also included is a panoramic sunroof, LED taillights and interior lights, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA) that uses navigation to predict upcoming curves and slow the vehicle when using adaptive cruise control. HDA can also detect posted speed limits on certain roads and adjust vehicle speed as necessary.
With the destination fee, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL costs $30,185. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and with no money down, the Santa FE SEL’s monthly payment works out to $542. That’s just $32 more each month than the SE. Find a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL for sale
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL Includes:
- 8-way power driver’s seat – Allows the driver to find a comfortable driving position with multiple possibilities over the manual seat. It also has 2-way power lumbar support.
- Heated front seats – Help quickly warm occupants when it’s cold outside.
- Wireless charging pad – Removes the need for wires and a USB charge port. Compatible devices need only be place on the pad to begin charging.
- Proximity key – Allows entry and start merely by having the key fob in a purse or pocket.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT (Starting at $32,300)
New for 2022, the XRT trim brings a more rugged appearance to the Santa Fe, but not much else. The XRT is basically the SEL with the Convenience Package plus additional XRT styling elements.
The XRT touts front and rear black lower fascia trim, black skid plates, side steps, 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and dark finish on the grille, mirror caps, and door handles.
The XRT is an interesting design study, but with no option packages, no ability to upgrade to a more powerful engine, and no off-road suspension like the new Outback Wilderness, it’s just an SEL with a bit more attitude.
With the $1,185 destination fee, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT lists for $33,485. With zero down, the monthly payment on a 60-month loan at 3% financing is $602. Find a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT for sale
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited ($38,960)
The Limited is the trim that moves the Santa Fe into near-luxury territory, allowing cross-shopping with more expensive SUVs from Audi, Lexus, and Cadillac, but for thousand’s less.
The Limited gets a significant boost in power with a 277-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. A sport-oriented dual-clutch automatic transmission delivers faster manual gear changes.
The Limited includes all the contents of the SEL’s Convenience and Premium Packages, then adds 19-inch alloy wheels, projector-style LED headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, and power-folding side mirrors.
Limited models gain memory for the power driver’s seat and side mirrors, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel plus a driver’s seat cushion extension, and 4-way power lumbar.
Other cool upgrades include a surround-view monitor that makes available a 360-degree view outside the vehicle and a visual blind-spot monitor that displays a camera image of the vehicle’s blind spots whenever the turn signal is activated.
The Limited trim finishes up with 110-volt power outlet, rain-sensing wipers, and Hyundai’s Remote Smart Parking Assist that permits moving the Santa Fe forward or backward while standing outside the vehicle. This feature comes in handy when there’s not enough room to open the driver’s door, such as when wedged beside another car or a wall. With the fob in hand, simply press a button and the Santa Fe moves out of its parking space, allowing easy access once the vehicle comes to a stop.
One minor change worth noting: the SEL’s compact spare tire gets replaced on the Limited trim with a Tire Mobility Kit. The kit contains sealant and an electric air compressor; fine if you have a slow leak but useless if the tire completely fails. If you’re not comfortable with the kit, you can rely on Hyundai Roadside Assistance or opt to buy a compact spare from your Hyundai dealer.
With destination, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited sells for $40,145. With zero down payment and a 60-month loan at 3% financing, the Limited’s monthly payment comes to $721. Find a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited for sale
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited Includes:
- 2.5-liter turbocharged engine – With 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, this engine delivers better acceleration and passing power without a big sacrifice in fuel economy.
- Ventilated front seats – Help keep occupants cool, especially nice when the Limited’s leather seats have been sitting in the sun all day.
- Heated rear seats – Allow rear-seat occupants to quickly warm themselves while waiting for the climate control to heat the cabin.
- Heated steering wheel – Perfect for those cold winter mornings when you’ve forgotten your gloves.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy (Starting at $40,960)
The Calligraphy is the ultimate Santa Fe, building largely off the Limited’s feature set but adding luxurious touches such as quilted Nappa leather upholstery, premium door trim and seat accents, and premium door sills.
Unique 20-inch wheels are exclusive to the Calligraphy trim level, as are extended interior accent lighting, “Eco-suede” headliner (faux suede), full-color head-up display, and auto up/down rear windows.
With the $1,185 destination fee, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy comes to $42,145. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and no down payment, the monthly payment comes to $757, or just $36 more each month than the Limited. Find a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy for sale
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Includes:
- Quilted Nappa leather upholstery – Nappa leather is incredibly soft and luxurious, made even more so by the seat’s exquisitely sewn diamond pattern.
- Head-up display – Projects pertinent information like speed and navigation instruction onto the windshield, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
- 20-inch wheels and tires – Look amazing and provide added grip when cornering, although they make for a slightly stiffer ride.
