Completely redesigned for 2019, the Santa Fe has a new look inside and out and now includes a two-row design without using the Sport model name. This marks the fourth generation for the Hyundai Santa Fe and it remains a choice abundant with features and quality for the price paid.
The renaming of the Santa Fe may be confusing to some. The “Sport” title has been dropped altogether and the Santa Fe is now a two-row midsize crossover by default. The three-row model is now designated the XL. The two models are almost identical except for that third row addition in the XL and the slightly larger body dimensions that result. The new Santa Fe is much larger than the previous-generation Santa Fe Sport and more on par with the full-sized Santa Fe instead.
Big improvements to the 2019 Santa Fe include a larger interior, more smartphone integration for infotainment, and lots of standard advanced safety technologies. There are a few downers too, like the anemic four-cylinder base engine and the large roof pillars impeding the driver’s view.
Still, in all, the new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is a very well-made crossover with a lot of upsides. The Santa Fe comes in two model designations (Santa Fe and Santa Fe XL) and five trim levels (SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited, and Ultimate). There are two engine options and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.