Used 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid

The new-for-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient version of the company’s popular SUV/crossover.

The 5-seater Santa Fe is larger than a typical compact crossover, yet not quite as big as, say, the midsize Hyundai Palisade that comes with three rows of seating. It’s an excellent machine, however, and we named it a Best Buy for its class in 2021. Which was also when it received a significant revamp.

What’s the difference between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid? Both drivetrains still have a combustion engine on board. A hybrid uses its electric motor as a starter for the engine and to keep the systems going (like power-assisted steering and braking) when the engine is off, as well as providing some drive.

A plug-in hybrid leans a little more heavily on its electric side. Its battery can be recharged from an outside source (hence the “plug-in” part) and provides some useful distance in electric mode. Hyundai claims the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can run for 30 miles solely on battery power. But naturally, the gasoline engine contributes to a far greater total range.

The Santa Fe has an impressive amount of standard equipment, including many safety features, plus comfortable seats and a pleasant ride quality. And every Hyundai powertrain is covered by a 10-year/100,00-mile warranty.

At the time of compiling this review, we had yet to get behind the wheel of the 2022 Santa Fe PHEV. But there are certain ingredients we’re looking forward to trying.

Firstly, 258 lb-ft of torque, which should provide some punch. And with the battery pack located under the floor, the center of gravity is low, giving the Santa Fe PHEV stability and beneficial weight distribution.

The ability to travel up to 30 miles using only the battery means that the weekly grocery run and general local errands can all be done without using any gasoline. Just plug in the charger overnight.

Hyundai vehicles are becoming more upscale. Not so long ago, if we had seen an interior with a 12.3-inch digital driver information display, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, heated rear seats, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, we would have assumed it was something like a BMW. Now these things are in a Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid.

Even the “entry-level” SEL has most of the above, along with soft-touch plastics and an overall design that’s both logical and leaning toward luxurious. Limited trim adds leather seating surfaces and a panoramic sunroof.

Neither version has a gear lever. A shift-by-wire arrangement frees up space in the center console for things like a wireless charging compartment.

Clever packaging has ensured that passenger and cargo space doesn’t suffer from the addition of plug-in hybrid hardware.

There isn’t any great differentiation between the 2022 Santa Fe PHEV and the rest of the range. Which could well be a positive since the current Santa Fe — having received a restyle last year — has arguably never looked better.

The SEL version has 18-inch alloy wheels, and the Limited’s wheels are an inch bigger in diameter. If there’s one minor gripe, it’s that the rear pillars are wide enough to hinder over-the-shoulder outward vision, but the standard blind-spot monitoring compensates.

PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVETRAIN
This is the first time Hyundai has put a plug-in hybrid drivetrain into a production SUV/crossover. Before this, Hyundai tested the PHEV waters with an Ioniq variant. The combination of the turbocharged gasoline engine and the ability to achieve the equivalent of 76 miles per gallon seems like the best of both worlds.

REMOTE SMART PARKING ASSIST
We were all impressed when BMW introduced this kind of function in the 5 Series luxury sedan a few years ago. Now, in trickle-down technology at work, it’s available in a mainstream marque. Drivers can get out of the vehicle and then maneuver it into (and out of) its parking space using the key fob. It’s a standard feature in the top Limited trim.

In SEL trim, the 2022 Santa Fe PHEV comes with LED headlights, roof rails, heated side mirrors, keyless entry/start, air conditioning, heated front seats, special stain-resistant cloth upholstery, power-adjustable driver’s seat, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and the company’s Blue Link Connected Car service for remote functions.

An 8-inch touchscreen controls an infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, four USB ports (two each, front and rear), and satellite radio.

A comprehensive array of driver assistance features includes forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind-spot avoidance with rear cross-traffic alert and reverse emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, Safe Exit Assist, and rear occupant alert.

The SEL trim is eligible for options that are standard in Limited trim. Such as acoustic glass for the front side windows, panoramic sunroof, hands-free tailgate operation, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10.25-inch touchscreen, leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 6-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, power-folding 2nd-row seats, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker/630-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

Limited trim also comes with rain-sensing wipers, heated/ventilated front seats, driver’s-side memory settings, heated rear seats, 115-volt outlet, 360-degree camera system, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2022 Santa Fe PHEV uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, complemented by an electric motor — energized from a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack — for a total system output of 260 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

A 6-speed automatic transmission is employed, not a continuously variable transmission (CVT) often found in hybrids and never really loved. And all-wheel drive is standard.

How economical is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates it at 76 MPGe in hybrid mode. The all-electric range is 31 miles.

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
260 combined horsepower
258 lb-ft combined torque
EPA combined fuel economy (electric & gasoline): 76 MPGe
EPA combined fuel economy (gasoline): 33 mpg