2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid fuel consumption, tow rating detailed

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has been officially detailed by the Korean brand’s local division, days after preliminary pricing and specification information was published to its local website.

Scheduled to arrive in local showrooms later this month, the Santa Fe Hybrid becomes the dearest but most efficient drivetrain option in the nameplate’s local line-up, sitting alongside the existing 3.5-litre V6 petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel options.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed the Santa Fe HEV AWD will use 6.0L/100km on the combined cycle, while emitting 137g/km of CO2 – the 2.2D AWD quotes 6.1L/100km and 160g/km by comparison, while the 3.5 V6 FWD is noticeably thirstier than both at 10L/100km and 244g/km.

The Toyota Kluger AWD Hybrid quotes 5.6L/100km, while oddly the larger Kia Sorento HEV quotes 5.8L/100km for the AWD.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid fuel consumption, tow rating detailed — **Overseas model shown**

The HEV is unable to tow as heavy a load as its stablemates, however. Braked towing capacity is 1650kg, whereas the V6 FWD and Diesel AWD versions can tow up to 2500kg. Unbraked, all versions can tow 750kg.

At the heart of the Santa Fe Hybrid is a new 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a 44.2kW electric motor, which draws power from a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. It’s the same drivetrain used in the Kia Sorento HEV.

Drive is sent to all four wheels as standard via a six-speed automatic transmission which is claimed to further enhance efficiency. By comparison, the 3.5 FWD uses an eight-speed automatic and the 2.2D AWD uses an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

The petrol-electric hybrid system delivers combined outputs of 169kW (5500rpm) and 350Nm (1000-4500rpm). That makes it more powerful than the diesel (148kW/440Nm), and torquier than the V6 petrol (200kW/331Nm).

Hyundai adds the HEV’s torque band is wider than its stablemates.

As detailed earlier this week, the Santa Fe HEV will be available in both Elite and Highlander trim levels, essentially mirroring the specification of its petrol and diesel equivalents – with some minor exceptions.

Both grades swap out the 20-inch alloy wheel designs of the combustion-only models for an aero-optimised 19-inch wheel design, while the top-spec Highlander offers a new six-seat interior option as shown above with second-row captain’s chairs. It’s the first time this interior layout has been offered in the Australian-market Santa Fe.

Pricing for the Santa Fe Hybrid AWD starts at $63,000 plus on-road costs for the Elite, and climbs to $69,550 before on-roads for the Highlander – available as standard with seven seats or with six seats as a no-cost option. The HEV AWD represents a $3000 jump over the equivalent Diesel AWD, and is $6500 dearer than the equivalent V6 FWD.

The Elite comes as standard with black leather upholstery, with the Highlander upgrading that to black Nappa leather hide. A Cognac Brown interior can be had for $295 in the Elite, while the Highlander offers a Camel interior for $295.