Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Gets a Price Bump

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Starting in June 2024, Hyundai will implement a $1500 price increase across all four hybrid variants of its popular Santa Fe SUV. This adjustment marks the end of the model's initial pricing structure, which had remained unchanged since its debut a year ago. Although the hybrid lineup sees this price revision, the petrol-powered 2.5-litre turbo models remain unaffected. The adjustment is part of Hyundai’s broader pricing strategy, aligning the Santa Fe Hybrid more closely with the rest of its model range and competitor offerings.

Hyundai Santa Fe

With the new pricing in place, the entry-level Santa Fe Hybrid with front-wheel drive (2WD) now starts at $57,000, up from its previous $55,500 price tag. The all-wheel drive (AWD) version of the same trim has risen from $58,500 to $60,000. The mid-range Santa Fe Hybrid Elite AWD now carries a price of $66,500, while the flagship Calligraphy AWD version has increased to $76,500. These figures are exclusive of on-road costs and reflect the recommended retail prices.

Importantly, no mechanical or feature updates accompany the price increase. The Santa Fe Hybrid models continue to be powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, working in tandem with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. This hybrid system produces a combined output of 172kW and 376Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on their preferences and budget.

Despite the increase in price and the vehicle’s reported weight gain of approximately 250kg compared to its predecessor (based on international data), Hyundai Australia lists the hybrid’s fuel economy at an efficient 5.6L/100km. Although it's not clearly stated whether this applies to the FWD or AWD version, this efficiency figure is notably better than the outgoing AWD hybrid’s 6.0L/100km claim and puts it on par with the Toyota Kluger Hybrid in terms of fuel economy.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

As a point of comparison, petrol versions of the Santa Fe begin at \$53,000, establishing a consistent $4000 price difference between equivalent petrol and hybrid trims. This pricing pattern mirrors Hyundai’s strategy across other models, such as the i30 and Tucson, where hybrid variants also command a \$4000 premium over their petrol-powered counterparts.

In the competitive large SUV segment, the updated Santa Fe Hybrid now squares off against rivals like the Toyota Kluger GX AWD, priced from $62,410, and the Kia Sorento Hybrid GT-Line, which starts at $70,330 for 2WD and $73,330 for AWD. With the Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD now priced at $76,500, Hyundai’s premium hybrid SUV continues to offer a strong blend of performance, efficiency, and value—albeit at a slightly higher cost than before.

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