2025 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV Prime Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's mid-size SUV market has become increasingly intense, as family users continuously elevate their requirements for vehicle space, fuel efficiency, and smart features. As a veteran player in this segment, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV Prime, with its efficient hybrid powertrain and upgraded features, has become a potential choice for many consumers. The main objective of this test drive is to verify whether this car can meet the daily needs of family users and assess the practicality of the hybrid system under local road conditions.

In terms of exterior design, the 2025 Santa Fe HEV Prime adopts Hyundai's latest design language, with an overall style leaning towards a rugged and imposing look. The large front grille, complemented by horizontally arranged blacked-out trim, enhances the visual width. The sharp LED headlights on both sides connect seamlessly to the edges of the grille, forming an integrated design with high recognition. The straight lines along the body extend from the front to the rear, adding a sense of layering, while the design of the 18-inch alloy wheels is fairly standard but works well with 235/60 R18 tires, balancing comfort and off-road capability. At the rear, the LED taillights are arranged horizontally, connected in the middle by a chrome strip that echoes the design of the front. The silver skid plate decoration on the rear bumper adds a bit of off-road flair, though the overall style leans more towards family use.

Sitting inside, the interior layout is simple and practical. The center console is wrapped in soft materials and decorated with minimal chrome accents. Although it doesn't exude much luxury, the build quality is quite solid. The 12.3-inch curved central control screen is the core of the interior, with clear screen resolution and smooth operation. It supports Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The 4.2-inch colored TFT instrument cluster on the left displays information such as speed, fuel consumption, and hybrid system status clearly and intuitively. The front seats offer electric adjustment, and their leather material provides decent support, ensuring that long periods of sitting are not too tiresome. The second-row seats feature a 60:40 split design, allowing one-touch folding and manual reclining. Legroom is slightly above average compared to other vehicles in its class, with about two fists' worth of space between the knees of a 175cm tall passenger and the front seats. The third-row seats are more suitable for children or adults on short trips, as legroom is relatively limited. Regarding storage space, the front central armrest box is relatively spacious, and the door storage compartments can hold two bottles of mineral water. The armrest in the middle of the second row includes cup holders, and there are small storage slots on both sides of the third row. The regular trunk space isn't particularly large, but once the third-row seats are folded flat, it creates a relatively even storage area, sufficient for carrying luggage on family trips.

In terms of powertrain, the 2025 Santa Fe HEV Prime is equipped with a combination of a 1.6T turbocharged engine and a permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a total system output of 235PS and a combined torque of 367N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the vehicle defaults to starting in either pure electric or hybrid mode. The motor responds quickly during initial acceleration; a light press on the accelerator delivers decent power output, making it suitable for congested urban roads. When the accelerator is pressed harder, the engine engages promptly. The collaboration between the engine and the motor results in smooth acceleration, and there is sufficient power reserve for overtaking without noticeable lag. Switching to Sport mode makes the transmission’s gear shifting logic more aggressive, yielding more direct power response, but the overall tuning still leans towards comfort.

In terms of handling performance, the steering wheel has a moderate turning weight with minimal play, making daily driving relatively effortless. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension combination, tuned for comfort. It handles speed bumps or small road jolts on urban streets quite effectively, with no noticeable body bounce. At high speeds, the chassis remains stable, without any floating sensation. When cornering, the body roll is kept within an acceptable range, and the SUV's high center of gravity doesn’t compromise confidence. The braking system performs linearly, with moderate braking force in the initial stage and sufficient braking power in the later stage, making it relatively easy to control during daily driving.

In terms of fuel consumption, this test drive mainly covered congested city areas and highways, with an average fuel consumption of about 6.8L/100km, showing a significant advantage compared to fuel-powered models in the same class. However, actual fuel consumption may vary depending on driving habits and road conditions. If frequent rapid accelerations or prolonged low-speed driving occur, fuel consumption may increase slightly. Regarding noise control, the interior remains relatively quiet below 60km/h in urban areas, with barely noticeable sound from the electric motor. Once the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind and tire noise gradually increase but remain within an acceptable range, not affecting normal conversations.

In terms of safety features, the 2025 Santa Fe HEV Prime offers a comprehensive set of features. It comes standard with 10 safety airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and other active safety configurations. It is also equipped with an ACC adaptive cruise control system, which helps reduce the driving burden at high speeds. The combination of parking sensors and a rearview camera also makes daily parking easier.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV Prime lie in its hybrid system’s fuel efficiency, spacious 7-seat configuration, and comprehensive safety features. Compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid in the same class, it offers better value for money and richer configurations. However, it may have slight disadvantages in terms of brand resale value and the flexibility of the third row. This vehicle is more suitable for users who prioritize fuel efficiency and family practicality, especially consumers who frequently travel with a full load and deal with congested daily commutes. If you are looking for a mid-size 7-seater SUV that is spacious, fuel-efficient, and well-equipped, the Santa Fe HEV Prime is worth considering.