Behind the wheel: Joo and partner/passenger Andy  

Test driving the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy was a new and exciting experience for me. As a first-time driver of a hybrid vehicle, I was curious to explore its unique features and driving dynamics. I expected a learning curve, a need to tweak my driving style to squeeze every efficiency gain. Instead, I found there was no awkward adaptation period. Plus, gone was any range anxiety you might feel with all-electric vehicles; I was free to explore long journeys with peace of mind.

It’s not hard to see why the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has won a bunch of awards, including Drive Car of the Year 2025 and Best Large SUV Under $80K. It has also been named Supreme Winner at the 2025 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year Awards.

Despite its impressive size, the vehicle doesn’t feel cumbersome on the road. Whether weaving through Melbourne’s bustling streets or cruising at highway speeds, the petrol engine and electric motor blend smoothly so that the drive feels quiet and pleasant – with the bonus of recharging the battery while driving for a hassle-free journey.

The 360-degree view camera system is top notch and provides a bird’s eye view around the vehicle. It made manoeuvring tight parking situations a breezy exercise rather than a battle with blind spots.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy is practical, spacious and comfortable. Some key features I’m raving about include:

Storage
The floating centre console up front serves as a smart storage hub with the standard two cupholders and a storage tray/wireless charging pad for two smartphones (on the Elite and Calligraphy models). Underneath, there’s more storage available to hold a small handbag or your takeaway. I’ve always found it a pain to have to place my handbag on the back seat or the floor, so this clever design is a breath of fresh air.

Spacious cabin space
There’s a real feeling of airiness and space thanks to the dual sunroof for the front and second row (only available in the Calligraphy trim level). There’s plenty of space for adults (and dogs) in the second row. My partner (who is 185cm) could stretch out comfortably, even in the centre seat which is helped by a flat floor. Access to the third row is simplified by one-touch lowering and assisted lifting of the second row.

Roomy boot space
The boot space is another area where the Santa Fe Hybrid shines. With the third row folded down, there’s a generous 628 litres of cargo space available – a figure that stands strong among other large SUVs such as the Kia Sorento (608 litres), the Skoda Kodiaq (794 litres) and the Mazda CX-80 (566 litres). This makes it more than capable of handling everything from groceries, sports gear or luggage to a house move!

H-shaped motifs
A distinctive design element is the prominent "H-shaped" motif both inside and out. You can see them in the front headlamps, LED daytime running lights, front bumper and taillights. Inside, the theme continues with H-shapes on the air vents, dashboard, seatbacks and side sills.

Blind-Spot View Monitor
I loved the Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) feature which shows the vehicle's blind spot on the display whenever you signal, providing a more comprehensive view of your surroundings. This was a great help when driving during peak traffic in the city and on the highway.

Safety and tech
The Santa Fe Hybrid comes with a suite of innovative safety and tech features that helped to enhance the drive, including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) that has car, cyclist, and pedestrian detection, plus junction and crossing intervention. There’s adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning and parking collision avoidance. The rear occupant alert reminds you to check the rear seats before leaving the vehicle and Remote Smart Parking Assist (Elite and Calligraphy models) allows you to remotely park or exit a parking space using the key fob.

Overall, the Santa Fe Hybrid delivers a smooth and comfy ride with minimal road noise. Visibility is good, with big windows and a high seating position – ideal for a shorty like me (I’m 154cm). The blind-spot cameras and alert systems gave me confidence that I wasn’t going to knock into things or curb those 20-inch alloy rims.

It’s a big SUV, make no mistake, and it fills out a car space, but what I liked most about the Santa Fe Hybrid was that it didn’t feel too big to drive.

Official figures tout a fuel consumption of just 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres, and in the real world, I managed an impressive 6L/100km – pretty good for a vehicle of this size!

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid ticks all the boxes for a modern family SUV regardless of your lifestyle. It comes in three trim levels and is available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy model offers a six-seat and a seven-seat option.

Hybrids have continued to grow in popularity as buyers consider more efficient, eco-friendly options.

A hybrid vehicle is a great option if you’re not ready to go all-electric. It can offer significant fuel efficiency gains, especially in stop-start city driving scenarios, and is ideal for long-distance journeys.

Since taking the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid for a spin, I’ve acquired some valuable insights into driving a hybrid vehicle:

Accelerate and brake smoothly
Braking gently and early aids in harvesting more energy through regenerative braking, allowing the EV mode to operate for extended periods. Ditto for consistent and gentle acceleration.

Avoid putting the car in neutral
When in stop-start traffic, refrain from putting the car in neutral ('N') when stationary to ensure the hybrid battery remains charged.

Choose eco mode efficiency
In this mode, the car prioritises fuel efficiency by adjusting throttle response.