Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (2025) Price & Specs

Pricing scoop! The new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid will soon launch as the Korean brand’s first dual-powered model in South Africa. Here’s what this boxy 7-seater will cost…

The 5th-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is set to hit the market in South Africa soon, but we’ve managed to dig up pricing ahead of its official launch. And we can confirm this boxy new 7-seater will be offered in hybrid form – a first for the brand in SA.

Yes, the new Santa Fe is poised to launch as Hyundai Automotive SA’s very first hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and will thus finally mark the Korean automaker’s entrance to Mzansi’s growing new-energy vehicle (NEV) space.

While the previous-gen Santa Fe was offered in SA exclusively with an oil-burning motor, the new model is not available with a turbodiesel engine anywhere in the world. Now, after some initial hesitance from Hyundai Automotive SA, the latest Santa Fe – which was unveiled globally as long ago as July 2023 – is finally ready for launch.

So, what will it cost? Well, from what we understand, just a single derivative will be available at launch. And our information suggests this new Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Elite AWD (to use its full name) will be priced at R1 249 900.

By our maths, that’s R155 400 more expensive than the previous-generation Santa Fe R2.2 Elite AWD (which had a list price of R1 094 500 before it was discontinued). It’s also enough to make this new hybrid derivative Hyundai Automotive SA’s 2nd most expensive variant yet.

In fact, the new Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Elite AWD is R45 400 pricier than the larger Palisade 2.2D AWD Elite (R1 204 500), though it’s worth keeping in mind the latter derivative features a less-sophisticated powertrain. That said, Hyundai’s most expensive variant in SA is still the oil-burning Hyundai Staria 2.2D Luxury (R1 263 900).

What do we know about the new 3-row Santa Fe’s powertrain? Well, it combines a 132 kW/265 Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a 44 kW/264 Nm electric motor. The latter is located between the engine and the 6-speed automatic transmission and draws power from a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

According to Hyundai, the hybrid powertrain produces total system outputs of 172 kW and 367 Nm, directed to all 4 corners via an active “on-demand” all-wheel-drive system. The local fuel-economy claim comes in at 7.5 L/100 km (interestingly far higher than fellow right-hand-drive market Australia’s listed combined consumption of 5.6 L/100 km).

Standard specification for the new Santa Fe 1.6T HEV Elite AWD includes 20-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats (with heating and ventilation), heated 2nd-row seats and plenty of driver-assistance technology. The cabin also features a 12.3-inch curved display, while a 12-speaker Bose audio system is included in the price, too.

As a reminder, the latest-generation Santa Fe is 45 mm longer than its forebear, now measuring 4 830 mm long and 1 900 mm wide, while standing 1 720 mm tall. There’s an extra 50 mm between its axles, too, taking the wheelbase to 2 815 mm and allowing the new 7-seater model to offer what Hyundai calls “enhanced” 3rd-row seating.

The tailgate opening is 145 mm wider than before at 1 275 mm, while the luggage compartment can now handle 628 litres (based on the VDA measuring method). Hyundai says legroom in the 2nd row has improved, with occupants of the 3rd row furthermore gaining extra space in this area, plus additional headroom.

Interestingly, the new Santa Fe is also produced in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) form as well as with a turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine (generating 206 kW and 422 Nm). These powertrains are not on the menu for South Africa at launch.

How much will the new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid cost in SA?

Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Elite AWD – R1 249 900

The price above includes Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s 7-year/200 000 km warranty (comprising a 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty and an additional 2-year/50 000 km powertrain warranty) and a 6-year/90 000 km service plan. In addition, the hybrid battery pack is covered by a separate 8-year/160 000 km warranty.

Find a Hyundai Santa Fe on Cars.co.za!