Hyundai’s Santa Fe entered its fifth-generation with a radical, boxy new look, some even comparing it to the pricier and rugged Land Rover.

The 2025 Santa Fe is undeniably cool, accented by its H-pattern hazard lights up front and taillights in the rear. Coming off a redesign last year, the midsize SUV has a broad but short front grille, updated LED headlights and multiple wheel designs from which to choose.

And it’s ready for outdoor fun, especially in XRT trim with extra ground clearance and convenient exterior grab handles to hoist up and secure a kayak or camping gear on the roof.

But the show-stopper is the top-line Calligraphy trim. Sounds classy just saying it. Like the elegant art form for which it’s named, the Calligraphy features distinctive accents and features: Nappa leather, suede headliner, second-row captain’s chairs and premium sound system. It’s a surprisingly upscale look at this price level.

Most will go for the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, capable of delivering 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Calligraphy sprints admirably to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, just shy of the previous Santa Fe. The quarter-mile comes in around 15 seconds.

But don’t expect frisky performance — the focus is more on comfort than fun. it’s a refined and reasonably quiet ride with a small dose of wind noise. The suspension is tuned to absorb all but the worst defects on the road surface, yet it has adequate stiffness for holding corners. Providing extra road grip is Hyundai’s all-wheel-drive system, for an extra $1,715.

Steering is light, lacks road feel and can be shy in its response. Braking is confident, linear and smooth.

Four drive modes include Normal, Sport (quicker throttle response and holds gears longer), Snow and MyDrive, which allows personal tweaks. It’s tow-rated at 3,500 pounds, but the XRT can handle 4,500 pounds plus all-terrain tires and an additional 1.3 inches of ground clearance.

Fuel economy is slightly above average in its class with a 24 mpg combined average — 20 mpg city, 28 on the highway with AWD.

Or do better with the hybrid version, which returns for 2025 and can deliver 34 mpg combined. It uses a 1.6-liter turbo four, 47.7-kw electric motor, and power delivery via a six-speed automatic transmission. The 231 hp hybrid is quicker but costs an extra $3,500.

The six-seat cabin shines with premium materials and impeccable fit and finish. Front seats trimmed in soft Nappa leather include thigh extensions for long-haul comfort. They’re heated and ventilated and have power settings for both driver and passenger.

Rear-seaters in captain’s chairs can stretch out, too, with 42.3 inches of leg room. They get their own climate controls and auto up/down windows. Storage flaps on the front seat backs can accommodate a laptop.

Third row, as is often the case, is best left for younger folks. Seat cushions are less comfortable, too, so better to keep the time back there limited (soccer games and restaurants). One plus, however, is the ease of access: Just push a button to tilt and slide the second-row seat forward.

The cockpit is well organized and displayed, with side-by-side 12.3-inch screens curved slightly toward the driver. One houses Hyundai’s new infotainment system, which is quick to respond and easy to use. The other is an instrument and data display which also has a blind-spot view when the turn signal is on. A helpful head-up display offers at-a-glance drive data.

Climate and audio can be controlled manually, too.

Among cooler features are a steering-column shifter stalk that twists into gears and a dual wireless charging station so both driver and passenger can juice up smartphones together. In the glovebox is a compartment to sterilize phones or other items.

There’s plenty of space for stuff: The center console has a large center console box, a convenient pass-through under the phone chargers for a handbag, and sizable cubbies in the door panels.

Santa Fe also has a segment-leading 79.6 cubic feet of cargo space with second and third rows down. There’s 14.6 cubic feet with all seats in use, and 40.5 cubes with the third row folded down.

Hyundai’s SmartSense driver-assist system is standard and comes with adaptive cruise, blind spot visuals, automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. But Calligraphy adds a navigation-based adaptive cruise with speed-assist on curves, highway driving assist, remote parking and forward attention warning to get eyes back on the road.

Its new look, roominess and technology makes Santa Fe a worthy contender. The Calligraphy version puts an exclamation point on it.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD

BASE PRICE (Santa Fe SE): $35,615

AS TESTED (Calligraphy): $48,165 (Includes Nappa leather seats, 12.3-inch dual screens, dual smartphone chargers, second-row captain’s chairs, head-up display, suede headliner)

What's all the excitement about? Surprisingly elegant feel, loaded with distinctive features and technology

Powertrain: 2.5-liter turbocharged inline four, capable of 277 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque; mated to 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; Optional hybrid gets 1.6-liter with electric motor, linked to 6-speed automatic

How's the performance? Not a frisky performer but it holds the road well and offers a quiet, comfortable ride.

Fuel economy: EPA-estimated at 20 mpg city, 28 highway, for 24 combined; Hybrid better at 34 mpg combined

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