2025 Hyundai Santa Fe — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $34,747–$41,541
Fuel Economy 27 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $1,944/yr

Key Specifications — 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$34,747–$41,541

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

About the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 8.0/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10. 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: 8.1/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.6/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $34,747–$41,541, 27 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Fe sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.2/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2025 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #180 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 93% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.6 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $34,747 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.

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

Which Santa Fe Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 7.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 8.0 — 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 (this review) 8.0/10$34,747
2024 7.9/10$33,735 Read review →
2023 7.9/10$32,722 Read review →
2022 7.8/10$31,710 Read review →
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 — 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Brand resale values vary — check current market data before committing

NHTSA Recalls — 2025 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 by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Engine and engine cooling / Critical fasteners
26/08/2025 · 25V549000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
Electrical system / Starter assembly
02/10/2025 · 25V659000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
Back over prevention / Display function
21/11/2025 · 25V808000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such,…
Air bags / Side/window / Curtain
21/11/2025 · 25V809000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as…
Seat belts / Front / Anchorage
06/04/2026 · 26V218000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.

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

Common Questions — 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

We rate the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's reliability 8.1/10 — one of the stronger records in its 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 2025 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe worth buying?

It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #180 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 93% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $34,747 and ranges up to $41,541 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

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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More Hyundai Reviews

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