Sunday Drive: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT – Midsize SUV blends rugged style with family comfort
The 2024 Santa Fe XRT marks a bold new entry for Hyundai into the midsize SUV market, offering an off-road-inspired variant that just made sense, especially one that merged rugged styling with modern convenience and technology.
After a week in the XRT, we found that it would most likely appeal to drivers who want more adventure in their daily drives but don’t necessarily need the full-fledged off-road capabilities of something like a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. Instead, the XRT brought an appealing balance of style, comfort and capability that set it apart in the crowded SUV market, especially in the family space with its roomier interior.
A new look for 2024: Rugged, refined and large
The Santa Fe XRT’s exterior was immediately striking when it arrived. While the 2024 Santa Fe lineup has received a noticeable design overhaul, the XRT version stood out to us with its rugged off-road aesthetic.
Hyundai designers added black cladding around the wheel arches, skid plates on both ends and roof rails that suggested adventure without taking away from its family-friendly SUV practicality. Unique 18-inch dark alloy wheels added to its bold persona, giving the vehicle an even more muscular stance.
LED headlights and a more squared-off front grille further emphasized a tough, go-anywhere appearance. However, it’s important to note that while the XRT looked ready for the trails, it was primarily a visual package.
It lacked some of the hardcore features one might find on true off-roaders, like advanced all-wheel-drive systems with multiple terrain modes or locking differentials. Still, for the everyday driver who wants to look rugged and handle some mild dirt roads or camping trips, it stuck a perfect balance.
Powertrain and performance: Solid and reliable
The 2024 Santa Fe XRT came standard with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. We felt that it was more than adequate power, and it was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that offered smooth shifts and good acceleration for everyday driving.
For the greater portion of the driving public, this would be a fine powertrain. It was smooth on highways and performed well around town, delivering a comfortable, composed ride.
Fuel efficiency was respectable for a midsize SUV. The XRT with all-wheel drive delivers an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway). We managed a nice 23 mpg for our week out in the Santa Fe, making it a practical choice for families looking to balance utility with fuel economy.
Interior and technology: Spacious and modern
Getting into the 2024 Santa Fe XRT, we were greeted by a well-designed cabin that blended practicality with ultra-modern technology. The XRT trim kept things very simple yet at the same time functional, offering durable leatherette seating surfaces that would be easy to clean, and would be perfect for families or those who enjoy outdoor activities.
The seats were extremely comfortable and supportive, with plenty of room for both front and rear passengers. The legroom in the back was generous, making it a great option for taller passengers or kids in car seats.
Cargo space was a standout feature, with up to 72.1 cubic feet of space available when the rear seats are folded flat. This placed Santa Fe near the top of its class for cargo capacity, making it a great choice for hauling one’s stuff around with the kids.
Technology in the XRT was intuitive and user-friendly. The huge 12.3-inch touch screen came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing us to seamlessly integrate our smartphones for navigation, music and hands-free calls. There’s also a six-speaker sound system that provided decent audio quality, though audiophiles may want to upgrade to the available 12-speaker Bose system found in higher trims.
Additional things like dual-zone automatic climate control and multiple USB ports helped keep everyone comfortable and connected on longer trips. Hyundai’s suite of driver-assistance features, called Hyundai SmartSense, also came standard and included essentials like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring.
On-road comfort: Smooth and quiet
What we really enjoyed with the 2024 Santa Fe XRT was its on-road comfort. The suspension was tuned for a smooth ride, and even on rougher roads, it did a great job of soaking up bumps and imperfections we encountered. The cabin was impressively quiet, with little road and wind noise, which made it a pleasant place to spend time on both short commutes and long leisurely drives.
The steering was responsive, although it leaned more toward comfort than sportiness, which we felt aligned with the XRT’s mission as a family-friendly SUV rather than a performance vehicle. It handled corners confidently and remained composed at highway speeds.
How it stacks up against competitors
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT competes in a crowded segment, going head to head with models like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback and Ford Edge. While it may not offer the same off-road prowess as the Outback or the turbocharged power of the Edge, we really felt that the new Santa Fe XRT excels in areas like interior space, comfort and safety features. Its rugged styling also set it apart for those who want the appearance of an off-roader without sacrificing on-road comfort.
Santa Fe’s competitive pricing was another advantage. With a starting price of around $40,600 for the XRT trim, it offered good value for the features and capability it delivers. Add in Hyundai’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and the Santa Fe XRT becomes an even more appealing option for those seeking long-term peace of mind.
Family-friendly SUV
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT would be an excellent choice for families or individuals who want an SUV that blends rugged looks with practical features and comfort. While it may not be a hardcore off-roader, its adventurous design, spacious interior and suite of safety features make it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment.
Base price: $40,600
Destination charge: $1,395
Price as driven: $42,675
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- The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.
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- Inside the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.
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- The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.
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- Inside the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.
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- The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.
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- Inside the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT.
