2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid Hits Home, Fails on Highway

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe plug-in hybrid is often overlooked in the paradigm shift from internal combustion engines to full-battery electric vehicles. A bridge spans this two-car era of his, and Hyundai has representatives on both sides of it. In addition to the gas-engined Santa Fe, there is the Santa Fe Hybrid, and the electric side has the Santa Fe plug-in hybrid.

Despite Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Lexus, Volvo, Jeep, Chrysler, Ford, Lincoln, BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Mitsubishi introducing more PHEV versions, the differences can be confusing. I have. Shoppers are starting to notice. PHEV sales doubled From 2020 to 2021, sales of full-battery electric and hybrid vehicles will further increase.

Advantages of plug-in hybrids such as Hyundai Santa Fe When Hyundai Tucson You can drive around town without using a gasoline engine, and you can go on long drives without worrying about charging.

This was the case for a Labor Day road trip in the 2022 Hyundai Santa FE PHEV Limited. It satisfied both ends of the bridge with compromise, a trait once celebrated as a virtue.

Where that compromise benefited the PHEV experience, and here where it fell short.

Hit: Seamless Power Delivery

The Santa Fe PHEV balances power from a 1.6-liter turbo-four petrol engine and a 66.9 kw motor, unless you check the power delivery display in the 12.3-inch instrument cluster. A 13.8 kwh battery powers the motor, while a 6-speed automatic transmission optimizes engine efficiency based on driver input. It defaults to all-electric mode until you push the throttle hard enough to start the engine, but the cabin remains quiet even with Turbo 4 engaged and the system’s total output reaching 261 hp.

It does get you off the line quicker than the Santa Fe, which doesn’t have the electric burst, but if you’re cruising and need to make some passing moves, there can be a slight delay. narrows. Overall, the engine/motor combination offsets the 500-pound weight gain over similarly equipped gas models, further increasing the versatility of how you drive.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited

Miss: Many modes but no EV hold

The four drive modes are located on a console dial with a center button that locks the center differential for even torque between axles. The all-wheel drive system is mechanical, so it doesn’t rely on the motor alone to power the rear axle like other of his PHEVs. There is also an EV/Hybrid button next to the dial. By default, it is set to eco mode which runs on power until the battery runs out. A number of modes and a BEV button allow drivers to customize powertrain response based on desired efficiency and vice versa. For example, in Eco-hi mode with the EV button on, the throttle-hi pedal lacks the firmness of Sport mode.

Despite some settings, the lack of an EV hold feature didn’t save my EV battery for the last few miles off the highway to my destination.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited

Hit and Miss: Busy Console

Most climate, seat, and drive functions are found in the electronic gear shifter, touchscreen hot button bar, climate control buttons, heated and cooled seat buttons (limited trim on top), and a busy center console that also houses volume and tuning . Knob. There’s a lot to take in, but it also limits your reliance on the 10.3-inch touchscreen on the dashboard.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited

Hit: Storage shelf above the glovebox

The Santa Fe PHEV sacrifices rear legroom to 39.5 inches, about 2 inches compared to the gas model, primarily because the battery pack is under the back seat. That’s really the only sacrifice to interior space, and it’s minor. Hyundai makes up for it with nice and clever storage options. My favorite is the glove box, which is great for keeping passengers’ phones, pens, wallets, energy bars, tall transponders, and other items quickly accessible, as well as the various passengers aboard the shotgun. It was the upper ledge. It tilts up so nothing slides off, and it’s nicely integrated with the dash trim that arcs from the door toward the windshield and back to the center screen.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid

Hit: 31 miles of electric range

Its 31-mile EV range is perfect for an emissions-free city commute. Based on my impressions, Hyundai may have underestimated its range. The RAV4 PHEV leads the pack with 42 miles of range for him, but 31 miles is more than enough for daily tasks without using a drop of gas. And very quiet.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited

Mistake: Relatively inefficient

However, the Santa Fe PHEV’s added weight means it’s not as efficient on the highway. I was averaging about 26 mpg on the interstate. EPA estimates a total rating of 33 mpg without battery power, but normal Santa Fe hybrid without plug EPA ratings are 33 mpg city, 30 highway, 32 total.

of Toyota RAV4 Prime, Hyundai Tucson PHEV, and the Ford Escape PHEV are more efficient and have longer range, but are also smaller. The true midsize SUV’s only competitors are the six-seat Kia Sorento PHEV and his seven-seat Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, both of which offer longer range and better hybrid efficiency when the battery is depleted. increase.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

Miss: 12.4 Gallon Tank

I didn’t have to worry about charging on the road, but the Santa Fe PHEV’s smaller 12.4-gallon tank meant I stopped more often than usual to fill up on gas. For long-distance commuters and frequent road trippers, a standard hybrid may be more efficient and convenient.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Limited

Hit: The smartest smartphone charger ever

Another simple but great design element is a wireless smartphone charger the size of a deck of playing cards. An ashtray-sized slot next to the console’s cup holder houses a small mechanical sleeve that accepts a smartphone vertically and charges it against the wall. An orange button indicates that charging is active. It’s seamless to slide in and start charging, easy to get in and out, and never get lost or confused by a slide pad that gets tucked under the center stack or misplaced under the armrest his console There is none. The best wireless phone charger on the market.

Miss: No wireless ACP yet

Despite that innovation, Hyundai still has to contend with the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a large touchscreen. With all this tech in the limited trim on top, the lack of wireless smartphone compatibility is even worse.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV offers shoppers more choice within the Santa Fe family with petrol, hybrid, and plug-in options. PHEVs are ideal for drivers who log most of their mileage around town.

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2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited Plug-In Hybrid

Base price: $46,585 including $1,225 destination

Price tested: $46,780

Power train: 1.6L turbo 4 engine, 67kw motor and 13.8kwh battery pack, 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive

EPA fuel economy: 33 mpg combined, 76 mpge petrol and electric, 31 electric range

hit song: seamless power delivery, great packaging, great wireless smartphone charger

miss: Not as efficient on the highway, but still no wireless Apple CarPlay and no EV hold