Leading Large SUVs of 2025: Champion

Leading Large SUVs of 2025: Champion - Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe has been crowned the Best Large SUV for 2025 by Wheels, and it's not hard to see why. This fifth-generation model stands out from its predecessor with edgy, boxy styling that distinguishes it from its rivals.

Under the hood, the Santa Fe offers two drivetrain options: a 213kW 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 172kW 1.6-litre hybrid engine. The petrol engine produces 420Nm of torque and boasts a fuel economy of 9.1L/100km with CO2 emissions of 212g/km. The hybrid engine, on the other hand, offers refined performance and better fuel efficiency, with a fuel economy of 5.6L/100km and CO2 emissions of 128g/km.

The Santa Fe's cabin is spacious, practical, and well-featured. It boasts a spacious and practical cabin, with good quality materials throughout. Standard features include dual 12.3-inch screens packed with tech features such as wireless smartphone mirroring.

The Santa Fe's service intervals are annual or every 10,000km, which is shorter than some rivals. Service pricing for the Santa Fe is reasonable at under $500 annually for the first five years, making it an affordable choice for many. The five-year service cost for the Santa Fe is $2425 for the 2.5T and $2439 for the hybrid.

The Santa Fe's practicality is further demonstrated by its bootspace. With the third row up, the bootspace is Unknown, but with the third row folded, it offers 628L of cargo space. When both the third and second rows are folded down, the Santa Fe can accommodate an impressive 1949L of cargo.

The upper-spec Santa Fe models are well-equipped, and even the entry-level model is priced comfortably under $60,000. The Hyundai Santa Fe is loaded with equipment across its range, making it a great value for money.

Despite its numerous features and high-quality design, the Hyundai Santa Fe's pricing is higher than the last generation Santa Fe. It has a starting price of $53,000 plus on-road costs. However, with its strong value for money, long list of features, comfortable driving experience, and choice of drivetrains, the Santa Fe is still a compelling option for those in the market for a large SUV.

Overall, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a well-rounded large SUV that offers practicality, performance, and value. Its distinctive styling, spacious cabin, and long list of features make it a standout choice in the crowded large SUV market.