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On city streets and country roads, the Hyundai SANTA FE Self‑Charging Hybrid SUV gives you the freedom to explore with confidence. Combining hybrid efficiency, a spacious interior and the latest smart technology, it’s designed for everyday driving and weekend adventures alike. Let’s take a deep dive, and find out more…
There are currently 2 offers on the Hyundai SANTA FE: a PCP deal from £400 per month, with a £6,000 deposit at 1.9% APR and a BCH offer at £344 + VAT a month. Terms and conditions apply, see the individual offer for full details.
Build your dream SANTA FE plug-in using our configurator, explore trim levels, pricing and accessories, or configure the hybrid SANTA FE here.
The Hyundai SANTA FE Hybrid is a large family SUV that aims to combine the practicality of a seven-seater with the efficiency of petrol-electric hybrid power. With bold styling, a technology-packed cabin and the option of six or seven seats, it offers an alternative to conventional diesel and petrol SUVs for families who need plenty of room.
The UK model uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic gearbox. Hyundai lists the current UK Hybrid at 239 PS, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive versions depending on specification.
This is a petrol-electric hybrid, so there is no official plug-in electric range to quote. The small 1.49 kWh battery provides electric assistance and allows short periods of electric-only driving. Hyundai's published European technical information gives combined consumption of approximately 6.4–6.9 litres per 100 km, equivalent to roughly 41–44 mpg UK. Exact UK figures depend on the version and homologated specification.
The cabin features a curved panoramic display incorporating two 12.3-inch screens: a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluelink connected services and Hyundai Digital Key 2 are among the headline technologies, with equipment varying by trim.
Buyers can choose six- or seven-seat layouts. Hyundai quotes a 725-litre boot capacity in its UK overview, although usable luggage space varies with seat configuration. A braked towing capacity of up to 2,000 kg also makes the SANTA FE appealing to caravan owners.
You might want to opt for the plug-in version because it offers the potential to complete many everyday journeys using electric power alone, while retaining a petrol engine for longer trips. The Hyundai SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid combines a more powerful 288 PS powertrain with four-wheel drive, a useful electric-only range and the spacious, technology-rich cabin that makes this large SUV appealing to families.
Unlike the standard self-charging SANTA FE Hybrid, the plug-in version has a larger battery that can be recharged from a home wallbox or compatible public charging point. For drivers with access to regular charging, that means the school run, shopping trips and shorter commutes could be completed with little or no petrol consumption.
The UK-specification SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined system output is 288 PS, with 380 Nm of torque and four-wheel drive as standard.
Hyundai quotes a 0–62 mph time of approximately eight seconds and a top speed of 128 mph. Although this is a substantial family SUV rather than a performance car, the additional electric assistance provides useful flexibility when accelerating or carrying a full complement of passengers.
Four-wheel drive also adds reassurance when driving on slippery roads or tackling muddy tracks. Selected driving modes, including settings for snow, mud and sand, allow the driver to tailor the system to different surfaces.
One of the biggest reasons to choose the SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid is its electric driving capability. The UK technical specification quotes an official WLTP electric-only range of up to 33.6 miles.
That figure makes the car particularly attractive to drivers whose regular journeys fall within this distance and who can recharge at home. Actual range will depend on factors such as outside temperature, driving style, road conditions, passenger load and the use of heating or air conditioning.
Once the battery's usable charge has been depleted, the petrol engine and hybrid system continue to power the vehicle. This means longer journeys remain practical without requiring charging stops along the way.
The official weighted WLTP fuel-consumption figure is approximately 74.3 mpg, with CO₂ emissions listed at 36 g/km in Hyundai's current technical documentation. However, these figures need context. Plug-in hybrid test figures assume a combination of electric driving and petrol use, so they should not be treated as a prediction of everyday fuel economy on a long journey with a depleted battery.
Regular charging is the key to making the most of the PHEV system. Drivers who rarely plug in may see much less benefit from its fuel-saving potential than those who use electric power for most of their shorter journeys.
The Hyundai SANTA FE self-charging hybrid comes in 3 trim levels: Premium, Ultimate and Calligraphy. The Premium model priced from £49,090 comes with 20” silver alloys, a leather interior, 12.3” touchscreen display with satellite navigation and a smart electric tailgate with hand's free opening function. The Ultimate upgrade from £52,590 adds a sunroof, Bose premium sound system and digital key, while the Calligraphy upgrade from £55,090 adds premium front relaxation seats, a UV-C tray (for disinfection of devices) and swaps the silver alloys for black.
The SANTA FE plug-in hybrid comes in 3 trim levels: Premium, Ultimate and Calligraphy. The Premium, priced from £53,195 comes with 20” silver alloys, a leather interior, 12.3” touchscreen display with satellite navigation and a smart electric tailgate with hand's free opening function. The Ultimate, priced from £56,445, comes with upgrades including a digital key, highway drive assist 2, a Bose premium sound system and head’s up display, while the Calligraphy upgrade priced from £58,945, comes with a Nappa leather interior, premium front relaxation seats, a hidden C pillar assist handle and UV-C disinfection tray.
The standard SANTA FE Hybrid offers the convenience of petrol-powered long-distance driving without charging, while the Plug-in Hybrid adds up to 33.6 miles of WLTP electric-only range, allowing shorter journeys to be completed without using petrol when the battery is charged.
Search our current stock of approved used SANTA FE. We currently have 14 approved used SANTA FEs in stock across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.
The Hyundai SANTA FE has 7-seats as standard in the UK on the premium and ultimate trims, however you can configure a 6-seat version featuring second-row captain’s chairs instead in the top-spec Calligraphy trim.
The Hyundai SANTA FE starts at £49,090 in the UK for the hybrid powertrain when choosing the premium version.
“The Hyundai Santa Fe has impressive levels of passenger space and a comfortable ride. It's our favourite seven-seater”WhatCar?
“The latest Hyundai Santa Fe’s unapologetically chunky styling, impressive seven-seat practicality and quality interior make it a genuine Land Rover rival”CarBuyer
“The bold-looking seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe delivers lots of space in a striking package” AutoExpress
The SANTA FE was first released in the UK in 2001 and different generations have since been released, including the second generation in April 2006 which offered a third row of seats for a 7-person capacity, the third generation in 2012 which brought technology and safety upgrades, the fourth generation in 2018 with a larger cabin space and cascading grill, and the fifth generation in 2024 which brought electrified powertrains.
The smaller Tucson is a compact, five-seat SUV designed for nimbler everyday driving, while the larger SANTA FE is a premium, three-row family cruiser built to carry up to seven passengers. So rather than asking which is better, it will depend on what needs you have. Here is a great at-a-glance comparison:
Attribute | Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai SANTA FE |
UK Entry Price | From approx. £33,485 | From approx. £49,090 |
Seating Capacity | Strictly 5 seats | Standard 7 seats (3 rows) |
Vehicle Class | Compact SUV | Midsize SUV |
Best Hybrid Economy | Up to 38 mpg combined | Up to 36 mpg combined |
The TUCSON is the ideal match for urban commuters, small families, and couples who want an agile everyday driver.
The SANTA FE is purpose-built for larger families, adventure travellers, and buyers seeking a premium experience.
The simple answer here, is that it’s bigger. The SANTA FE includes a standard third row of seats, necessitating a longer wheelbase, heavy structural reinforcements, and intricate rear climate controls. Also, the entry-level TUCSON can be purchased with a standard petrol engine and a manual gearbox to keep costs down, whereas the SANTA FE
drops entry level powertrains and offers a sophisticated self-charging hybrid set-up.
At current retail OTR prices (October 2026), the TUCSON is £15,605 cheaper than the SANTA FE premium hybrid.
Want to know more, or test drive both models? Our Hyundai experts across Norfolk, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire will be happy to help. Contact us to book an appointment or fill out our test drive booking form.
