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Hyundai is celebrating a double success at the 2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards as both the current-generation SANTA FE and its predecessor picked up top honours. The latest SANTA FE added to its growing trophy cabinet by retaining its crown as the Best Hybrid Seven-seater, while the previous-generation model was hailed Best Used Hybrid Seven-seater.
The prestigious awards recognise the growing importance of electrified vehicles and are decided annually by the expert panel of testers at the UK’s biggest car buying brand. Each year, the finest new and pre-owned choices are named in a host of different classes, covering all areas of the market and ensuring buyers of all budgets are catered for.
Since its launch in 2024, the latest SANTA FE has won an array of plaudits thanks to its blend of quality and practicality, plus an impressive powertrain which features the 1.6-litre T-GDi Smartstream engine in two Hybrid versions (with two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive), and also a four-wheel-drive Plug-in Hybrid. The package is enhanced by a striking design, with a distinctive boxy silhouette and a roomy interior, suited to a range of outdoor and urban activities. Fully foldable second- and third-row seats provide class-leading interior space, while the variety of high-tech, practical features adds to its nature-meets-city appeal.
The recognition in the WhatCar? Electric Car Awards follows a series of other high-profile accolades including being named TopGear.com’s 2024 SUV of the Year, Carwow’s 2025 Car of the Year and Best 7-Seater in the Autotrader 2025 Drivers’ Choice Awards.
Steve Huntingford, Editor of WhatCar?, said: “The latest SANTA FE is the biggest and most spacious yet, with enough room to seat seven adults in comfort. Yet it’s surprisingly easy and reassuring to drive, thanks to accurate steering, tight body control and strong grip. You also get a fantastic driving position and a high-quality interior, while the electric range and pricing are competitive. All of this makes for the best plug-in hybrid seven-seater on sale.”
For those buyers in the market for a used seven-seater with a hybrid powertrain, the WhatCar? team identified the previous-generation SANTA FE, sold between 2018 and 2024, as the best choice. Also offering a compelling blend of space, upmarket appeal and generous equipment, it’s available as a 1.6 T-GDi Plug-in Hybrid and a non-plug-in 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid, with a wide selection of Hyundai Promise Approved models currently on offer from around £25,000 online at used.Hyundai.co.uk.
Steve Huntingford, Editor of WhatCar?, said: “If you’re on a tighter budget, we’d still recommend a SANTA FE – just the previous version. This remains a very practical car, plus it’s one with a top-notch reliability record. The fact that cars aged up to five years old will still be covered by Hyundai’s original manufacturer warranty brings added peace of mind.”
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said: “SANTA FE has established itself as a firm favourite with buyers over the past 24 years, and it’s been pleasing to see the latest version prove so popular with customers and experts alike thanks to its unmistakable design, cutting-edge technology, exceptional practicality and superb hybrid powertrains. Its recognition by WhatCar? as the Best Hybrid Seven-seater simply reinforces Hyundai’s leadership in electrification – and the fact that its predecessor was named Best Used Hybrid Seven-seater underlines the model line’s tremendous pedigree.”
