DecodedCars2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 36 combined · 36 city / 35 hwy
- Length
- 190.2 in
- Curb weight
- 4,343–4,486 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 24% better than the average 2025 small SUV (29 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints240 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 56 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 40 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,486 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (36 city / 35 highway), 24% better than the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG, for an estimated $1,850 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 Santa Fe — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Santa Fe →
Trims, performance & features
Engine–1.6L turbo hybrid
Engine–2.5L turbo
DriveAWD/4WD
Trims
CalligraphyLimited
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Blind-spot interventionOptional
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Rear automatic brakingStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes
Built in: Montgomery, Alabama
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Santa Fe configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 190.2 in | 74.8 in | 67.7 in | 110.6 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,486 lb | 55/45 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 190.2 in | 74.8 in | 67.7 in | 110.6 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,343 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Hybrid FWD Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 36 / 35 / 36 | +24% | $1,850 | 249 |
| Santa Fe Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 35 / 34 / 34 | +33% | $1,950 | 258 |
| Santa Fe FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | -17% | $2,800 | 376 |
| Santa Fe AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -10% | $2,900 | 390 |
| Santa Fe AWD XRT | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -14% | $3,050 | 409 |
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $2,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
29 MPG2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.4% |
| 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Similar 2025 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe (this car) | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2025 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2025 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 22 |
Recalls (5)
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage · Apr 6, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V218000 · 294,448 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 298 and 032G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov April 8, 2026.
Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Nov 20, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V808000 · 143,472 vehicles
- Problem
- 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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 288. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain · Nov 20, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V809000 · 258 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 intended.
- Risk
- Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
Electrical System › Starter Assembly · Oct 2, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V659000 · 135,386 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 285. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 4, 2025.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Critical Fasteners · Aug 25, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V549000 · 29 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.
Not every 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
240Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
10Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
12Injuries reported
8,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 57 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 48 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 47 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 8,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Santa Fe years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Santa Fe | 36 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Santa Fe | 36 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 58 |
| 2024 Santa Fe | 36 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 191 |
| 2023 Santa Fe | 34 | 188.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 290 |
| 2022 Santa Fe | 34 | 188.6 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 265 |
| 2021 Santa Fe | 34 | 188.6 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 187 |
| 2020 Santa Fe | 25 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 218 |
| 2019 Santa Fe | 25 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 229 |
| 2018 Santa Fe | 24 | 184.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 432 |
| 2017 Santa Fe | 24 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 7 | 1,327 |
| 2016 Santa Fe | 23 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 306 |
| 2015 Santa Fe | 23 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 339 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →