2022 Hyundai Santa Fe — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $31,710–$36,915
Fuel Economy 24 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,188/yr
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 7.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #428 of 2454 suvs, with 5 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,188/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$31,710–$36,915

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 7.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.9/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.4/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $31,710–$36,915, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Fe sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.8/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 4 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #428 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 83% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,710 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 12%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$10,940 ($2,188/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 5 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Santa Fe Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2022's 7.8 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 8.0/10$34,747 Read review →
2025 8.0/10$34,747 Read review →
2024 7.9/10$33,735 Read review →
2023 7.9/10$32,722 Read review →
2022 (this review) 7.8/10$31,710
2021 7.9/10$30,698 Read review →
2020 7.7/10$29,686 Read review →
2019 7.7/10$28,674 Read review →
2018 7.7/10$27,662 Read review →
2017 7.7/10$26,650 Read review →
2016 7.6/10$25,638 Read review →
2015 7.5/10$24,626 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Brand resale values vary — check current market data before committing

NHTSA Recalls — 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe (5 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
09/07/2021 · 21V524000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/supercharger
28/03/2022 · 22V197000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
Power train / Automatic transmission
06/10/2022 · 22V746000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump…
Trailer hitches
17/03/2023 · 23V181000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an…
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
21/11/2024 · 24V879000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such,…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

We rate the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe's reliability 7.9/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe worth buying?

It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #428 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 83% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $31,710 and ranges up to $36,915 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Santa Fe years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Santa Fe years we've rated are 2015 (7.5/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.0/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

The documented issues for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Fuel system, gasoline, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Trailer hitches (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Hyundai Santa Fe

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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