2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT 2.5 Is a Sluggish Fake Off-Roader

Like Honda, with its new TrailSport badge, and Subaru, with its budding Wilderness line, Hyundai has noticed a rising marketplace for mainstream SUVs cosplaying as severe off-roaders. This prompted the introduction of the rugged-looking XRT trim throughout Hyundai’s SUV lineup, beginning with the 2022 Santa Fe. However whereas the Honda and Subaru entries obtain at the least some tools upgrades—like chunkier tires or a slight suspension raise—the Santa Fe XRT is just gussied up with bulkier bumpers and hard styling cues to domesticate a trail-ready persona. Beneath, it stays mechanically similar to different Santa Fe fashions. Look previous the bolder look and the XRT modifications little concerning the Santa Fe’s driving expertise, with the stable steering and dealing with undercut by the one accessible engine, a lackluster 2.5-liter inline-four.

The XRT’s brawn comes by way of chunkier plastic cladding, revised bumpers, and a redesigned grille. Sidesteps and crossbars for the roof rails are commonplace. The XRT-exclusive black 18-inch wheels put on street-oriented tires, and the XRT’s declare to off-road credibility is additional undermined by the truth that in base kind, it is front-wheel drive. Our check automobile was outfitted with all-wheel drive, a $1700 add-on to the $34,045 beginning value.

This was our first likelihood to pattern the Santa Fe’s base powertrain, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder. With simply 191 horsepower, the two.5-liter lags far behind the non-obligatory 277-hp turbocharged engine and the 226-hp hybrid setup. And the XRT was among the many slowest 2022 automobiles we have examined. It plodded to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds, whereas a turbocharged 2021 Santa Fe hit 60 mph in a brisk 6.0 seconds.

The true drag is that reaching 70 mph takes an extra 2.7 seconds, making freeway merging a white-knuckle expertise. Passing on two-lane roads additionally requires superior planning, with the 30-to-50-mph bounce lasting 4.6 seconds and the 50-to-70-mph run taking 6.2 seconds. Whereas that’s glacially gradual by fashionable requirements, the Santa Fe would not really feel as torpid in metropolis driving, the place the two.5-liter is peppy sufficient to maintain up with site visitors.

Regardless of the dearth of engine gusto, the Santa Fe delivers stable, if not particularly thrilling, driving dynamics. The steering is correct and feels weighty for a mainstream crossover, and the Santa Fe handles curvy roads impressively for a car of its dimension, minimizing physique roll nicely. On the skidpad, we recorded 0.85 g of grip, a reasonably good exhibiting simply shy of the sporty Chevy Blazer RS’s 0.87 g.

The eight-speed automated gearbox typically shifts easily, however if you mat the throttle in Consolation mode, the transmission often hunts for gears or will get flustered. Sport mode, in the meantime, holds revs for so long as attainable, emphasizing the engine’s unrefined groan but failing to make the Santa Fe really feel extra athletic. The brake pedal, against this, gives a progressive, predictable really feel, making it straightforward to gradual the SUV easily. We measured a 178-foot cease from 70 mph, which betters the Honda Passport TrailSport’s 184 feet however is nicely behind the Blazer’s brief 165-foot cease.

Whereas the Santa Fe handles competently, the trip might be improved. For essentially the most half, the Hyundai is a snug commuter however was jittery over the rougher patches of pavement that dot Michigan’s roads. Whereas the steering wheel stays remoted from these bumps, larger jolts are felt very clearly by the seat. The road-oriented tires could dilute the XRT’s all-terrain picture, however beefier off-road rubber would have worsened the dealing with and elevated tire noise on the freeway.

The choices record for the XRT is sort of brief, with our check automobile tacking on $400 for Calypso Pink paint and $195 for carpeted flooring mats. The XRT is predicated on the Santa Fe SEL with the comfort bundle, and its facilities embody a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated entrance seats, dual-zone local weather management, a wi-fi charging pad, and two USB ports for the entrance passengers. The XRT comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, however we by no means discovered ourselves wishing for the larger show that different trims provide. The infotainment system additionally helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and rear passengers are handled to 2 USB ports and a pair of A/C vents.

Whereas some exhausting plastics may be discovered among the many inside, there are comfortable supplies in many of the locations that matter, and construct high quality feels robust. The cabin is not essentially the most eye-catching, however the buttons are organized nicely, and the design is useful. We discovered the eight-way power-adjustable fabric driver’s seat pretty comfy, if a bit flat. With out the panoramic sunroof that comes on higher trims, headroom is first rate within the entrance and rear, and passengers within the again take pleasure in loads of legroom as nicely. The XRT’s sidesteps complicate climbing aboard—the mannequin has no enhance in trip top, so the steps aren’t crucial, and until you wish to take any further step to exit the car, it’s essential to swing your legs uncomfortably far to clear them.

As a result of the XRT bundle would not deliver mechanical upgrades, its worth is doubtful. Some could discover the extra adventurous styling interesting, however they’d should put up with the slothful acceleration of the two.5-liter engine. We would choose both of the opposite accessible powertrains and a special Santa Fe trim.