The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has emerged as a strong contender in the SUV market, and a significant part of its appeal lies in its meticulously crafted interior. Stepping inside the Calligraphy trim, you are immediately enveloped in a sense of premium quality and sophisticated design. This review delves into the fit and finish, access, seating comfort, and overall cabin experience of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, providing a comprehensive look at what makes its interior stand out in the competitive SUV landscape.
Premium Fit and Finish: A Touch of Luxury
The cabin of the 2024 Santa Fe Calligraphy is a testament to Hyundai’s commitment to luxury and detail. Suede gracefully lines the pillars, sun visors, and headliner, creating a soft and inviting atmosphere. The tactile experience is further enhanced by stitched leather adorning the doors, dashboard, and center armrest. A unique striped, birch-like accent trim across the dash adds a distinctive visual element, elevating the interior beyond the ordinary. While subtle “H” and horizontal design cues are present, they are tastefully integrated, contributing to an understated elegance. Even operational elements like door release handles and dash vents exhibit a smooth, refined action, reinforcing the upscale ambiance. The interior’s luxuriousness almost seems to overshadow the exterior styling, effectively justifying the near-$50,000 price tag associated with this top-tier trim.
Effortless Access and Entry
Accessibility is a key strength of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle boasts an exceptionally low floor, even lower than some subcompact SUVs and all midsize SUVs currently available. This design feature makes ingress and egress remarkably easy, particularly for shorter drivers who will find stepping into the Santa Fe effortless. The second row presents a slightly different scenario due to the elevated seating arrangement. While stepping up into the second row requires a bit of ducking, the flat roof contour contributes to a wide, rectangular door opening, mitigating any potential awkwardness.
Driving Position and Ergonomics
The driving position in the 2024 Santa Fe is designed for chair-like comfort, offering generous headroom and ample knee room, even for those who prefer a splay-legged seating posture. A wide and well-positioned left footrest adds to the relaxed driving experience. Both armrests are strategically placed, although the padding on the door armrest is firm, and the center armrest is also quite stiff. Notably, the driver’s right elbow tends to rest on the hard plastic left edge of the center armrest, which might be a point of discomfort for some. Steering wheel positioning presented a minor challenge for some drivers, who found it difficult to achieve both optimal comfort and an unobstructed view of the instrument panel, sometimes necessitating a compromise between the two.
Premium Front Seating Experience
The front seats of the 2024 Santa Fe feel distinctly premium, drawing comparisons to seats found in Genesis vehicles. They represent a clear upgrade compared to those in competing models within the same class. The leather upholstery exudes quality, offering a pleasant tactile feel and a sense of durability. The seat base is generously wide, although the torso bolsters might feel somewhat restrictive for larger occupants. Some drivers noted the seatback as being on the firmer side. Power-extendable under-thigh support is a welcome feature, though many drivers may find it more of a novelty than a practical necessity for everyday driving. The driver’s seat also benefits from four-way lumbar adjustment.
However, adjusting the bottom cushion’s leading-edge tilt is not independently controlled. Raising or lowering the bottom cushion also adjusts the entire seat, meaning the seatback often needs readjustment afterward. A unique feature is a button that activates a lounge position, reclining the seat and extending leg support, similar to features now available in EVs like the Kia EV9, ideal for resting when parked.
Spacious and Feature-Rich Second Row
The second-row seats in the 2024 Santa Fe are arranged in a theater-style configuration, positioned slightly higher than the front row. While this design enhances outward visibility for rear passengers, it slightly compromises access and headroom. Headroom remains adequate, but it is marginally reduced compared to the front. Even with the power tilt base and seatback in their lowest positions, the elevated seat bottom can make entry and seating a bit more challenging. Once seated, however, the second row offers abundant leg and knee room. The open space beneath the front seats allows passengers to comfortably tuck their feet. The second-row seats are flatter and less contoured than the front seats, a typical design choice to facilitate folding them down for cargo space. Passengers generally found the captain’s chairs to be very comfortable, especially for this vehicle class. The Calligraphy trim further elevates the second-row experience with luxuries such as retractable window shades, heated seats, and power tilt/recline functionality. Practical features like convenient USB-C charging ports, bag hooks, large pockets on the front seatbacks, and dual cup holders in the doors enhance passenger convenience and storage.
Conclusion: A Standout Interior in its Class
In conclusion, the interior of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, particularly in the Calligraphy trim, is a significant highlight of the vehicle. From the luxurious fit and finish to the comfortable and feature-rich seating, the Santa Fe’s cabin delivers a premium experience that rivals higher-priced SUVs. While minor ergonomic quirks exist, the overall design and execution of the interior contribute significantly to the positive 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews and solidify its position as a top contender in its segment.
