Hyundai claims the latest addition to its popular Santa Fe seven-seat SUV range offers the efficiency of a diesel with the more refined characteristics of a petrol engine.

The downside is that this new hybrid drivetrain is only available in the more-expensive Elite and Highlander AWD variants.

The Santa Fe is positioned between the mid-sized Tucson and extra-large Palisade within Hyundai’s model range.

Entry-level pricing for the new drivetrain option starts at $63,000 (MRLP) for the Santa Fe Elite Hybrid AWD, stepping up to $69,550 for the fully loaded Highlander Hybrid AWD. This represents a $3,000 premium over the same-spec 2.2-litre diesel AWD models.

The extra $6,550 for the Highlander over the Elite brings projector LED headlights, Nappa leather upholstery in either black or camel, heated outer second-row seats, the option of second-row captain’s chairs which reduces seating capacity to six, 14-way electrically adjustable front seats, and an opening panoramic sunroof.

This is all on top of the Elite’s already impressive list of kit, which includes a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, powered tailgate, wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, third-row air vents, smart remote key and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Highlander’s standard features include autonomous emergency braking with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring (also with steering assist), lane keep assist, automatic high beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, a reverse camera, and front and rear park sensors.

The Highlander also gains 360-degree surround view cameras, automatic braking in reverse and remote start parking assist which lets you park the vehicle in tight spaces using the key fob.

The hybrid models haven’t been ANCAP tested, but other Santa Fe variants earned a five-star rating in 2018, with 94% adult occupant protection and 86% child occupant protection being achieved.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, it’s nice to see that Hyundai hasn’t gone to the extent of some rivals and entirely killed off traditional buttons, dials and rocker switches.

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There’s a clear trend elsewhere to replace these controls with haptic switches, or, more commonly, to move them into the touchscreen interface, which can leave experienced drivers frustrated and fumbling to find simple functions.

By contrast, the Santa Fe has a sloped console with buttons systematically laid out and easily accessed by the driver, starting with audio controls across the top followed by climate control buttons below.

The centre console houses a simple-to-use rotary drive mode selector and push-button gear selection, along with switches for seat heating and cooling buttons.

The switches and dials are all nicely finished with chrome diamond patterns and surrounded by carbon-fibre-look trim.

The surface avoids the scratch and smudge-prone characteristics of glossy piano black used on some models.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is customisable depending on your taste, there’s a nice clear head-up display and 10.25-inch high-resolution touch screen infotainment system.

Other notable features include customisable ambient lighting, heated steering wheel, black suede headliner and pillar trims, and backlit door handles.

The seats are trimmed in quality leather with comfortable bolstering, the driver’s seat boasting electric lumbar adjustment, seat cushion extension, tilt and height adjustment, and two memory positions.

The passenger also gets electric adjustment with tilt and height.

Both front seats are heated and cooled, with the outer pews of the second-row seats also heated.

All rows get storage for bottles and cups but the under-bonnet setup for the hybrid has necessitated moving the 12V battery to the boot, meaning you can no longer store the cargo blind under the floor when using the third row.

The third-row seat is for occasional use only with slightly awkward access and ergonomics that are clearly not designed for adults, although that’s also the case with many of the Santa Fe’s rivals.  

The turbo-petrol four-cylinder and electric motor work seamlessly together, delivering combined outputs of 169kW/350Nm which ensures brisk acceleration and good overtaking.

Ride quality strikes a nice balance between ride and handling, validating Hyundai’s claims of extensive local testing to ensure the suspension is properly calibrated for Australian conditions.

The steering is on the light side, however, and there’s little in the way of meaningful feedback.  

On test fuel consumption returned an impressive 7.1L/100km over a mix of city, rural and off-road driving, which is not too far off Hyundai’s official combined cycle figure of 6.0L/100km.  

This fourth-generation Santa Fe has been around since June 2018 but still looks fresh thanks to a December 2020 facelift.

The addition of a hybrid drivetrain to this popular family SUV is a bonus at a time when rising fuel prices and living expenses are hitting family budgets hard.

It’s a shame the hybrid is available only in the most expensive variants, but perhaps Hyundai will address this in the future.

Key stats

• RETAIL PRICE: $63,000–$69,550
• ENGINE:  1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, 44.2kW electric motor (169kW/350Nm)
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not yet tested, other variants five-star (2018)
• BODY STYLE: Large SUV
• FUEL CONSUMPTION (combined cycle, litres/100km): 6.0L/100km (137g/Km CO2)
• FOR: Powertrain refinement, fuel economy, ride quality, premium interior.
• AGAINST: Only available in higher-grade models, third-row only suited for occasional use, no curtain airbags for third-row.