By: Uday Mohan
November 27, 2025
There is a moment in every auto journalist’s life when a test vehicle rolls into the driveway and you pause. Not out of awe, but out of sheer architectural confusion. That was me, staring at the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, wondering if someone had accidentally sent over a concept car designed by a geometry teacher with a personal vendetta against curves. This thing is square. Not retro chic square. Full on, unapologetic, let’s-build-this-out-of-Minecraft-blocks square. And yet somehow, I found myself really liking it.
Hyundai’s design team clearly decided subtlety was overrated. The Santa Fe’s silhouette is a rolling declaration of angular dominance. From the squared wheel arches to the upright tailgate, it looks like the designers dared each other to use only right angles. The interior follows the same theme with squared vents, squared compartments, squared controls, and a centre console that opens like a puzzle box designed by IKEA’s most mischievous engineer. The C-pillar even hides integrated grab handles that make rooftop loading feel less like a circus trick and more like a planned routine. It’s one of those thoughtful touches that makes you nod, then immediately wonder why every SUV doesn’t do this. The only curve in sight is the infotainment screen, clinging to Hyundai’s signature swoop like a rebellious teenager refusing to fall in line.
I’m not calling the Santa Fe beautiful. I’m calling it interesting. The kind of interesting that makes you look twice, not because it’s pretty, but because you’re trying to figure out what it reminds you of. A vintage lunchbox? A Scandinavian filing cabinet? A luxury toaster? Take your pick. Once the visual shock settles, you start to appreciate how much intention is baked into this midsize machine, including the little hidden Hs scattered around the exterior like an automotive scavenger hunt.
On the road, the Santa Fe Hybrid is suspiciously smooth. The suspension irons out imperfections with the grace of a valet smoothing a silk tie. Steering is precise without being twitchy, and the Santa Fe stays impressively flat even when you take a highway off ramp with a bit more enthusiasm than necessary. It isn’t sporty, but it is confident. Think dad in New Balance sneakers who still knows how to parallel park in one try.
The paddle shifters tell two different stories. In Eco mode, they adjust the regenerative braking level, which is about as assertive as a polite Canadian apology. Switch to Sport mode and they act as gear shifters, though calling the shifts sporty might be generous. The regen itself feels like a gentle nudge rather than a true one-pedal experience. It’s clear the priority here is efficiency, not thrills.
Inside, the Santa Fe leans into quiet luxury. Alcantara wraps the roof and pillars. Soft-touch materials are everywhere. Cheap plastics are nowhere. It doesn’t shout opulence. It whispers it, like a well-dressed librarian who moonlights as a mixologist. The Bose audio system is punchy and immersive, and the dual wireless chargers are joined by two wired ports, with one that can switch between data or charging. It’s another one of those Hyundai details you eventually notice and then pretend you spotted immediately.
The glove box deserves its own paragraph. It’s a tri-level setup: a small upper shelf for tiny treasures, a UV-sterilization compartment for the germ-conscious, and a traditional lower section for registration papers or whatever you’ve been meaning to clean out for three years. It’s over-engineered in the most charming way.
Rear passengers are treated well. The second row gets access to the centre console, and the third row gets its own HVAC controls, something usually reserved for second-row royalty. Cargo space with all seats up is tight, so don’t expect to tackle a full Costco mission without folding something down. Light shopping or a few duffels, no problem.
My biggest gripe is the rear moonroof. It’s big, panoramic, and permanently sealed like a museum exhibit. A missed chance for airflow and dramatic photos. The gear lever knob also deserves a complaint. It looks like it was borrowed from a tractor. It’s oversized, clunky, and completely at odds with the Santa Fe’s otherwise refined interior. It’s the automotive equivalent of wearing Crocs with a tuxedo.
Safety tech is generous. Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, adaptive cruise with stop and go, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Safe Exit Assist are all included. The Surround View Monitor is excellent, especially for tight parking lots, and Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert uses overhead sensors to detect movement after the vehicle is locked. If it senses a child or pet left behind, the vehicle triggers the horn, flashes the lights, and sends an alert to your phone via Bluelink. That’s thoughtful engineering with a conscience.
Fuel economy is impressive with around 900 kilometres of range showing on a full tank during normal city driving. It won’t win hypermiling trophies, but it won’t punish your wallet either. And even without badges reminding you you’re in a Hyundai, the interior quality speaks louder than any logo.
So, the verdict: the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy is a square peg that somehow fits perfectly into the very round world of modern SUVs. It’s bold, weird, thoughtful, and unapologetically itself. It’s a true all-rounder. Whether you’re a young driver looking for a do-everything machine or a growing family wanting something practical that won’t age out of your lifestyle, this one will keep up.
Vehicle Specs
Segment: Mid-Size SUV
Powertrain: 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder
Horsepower: 231 horsepower at 5,600rpm
Torque: 271 lb-ft. at 4,100rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined): 7.4L/100km / 6.5L/100km / 7.0L/100km
Observed Fuel Economy (mostly city): 7.7L/100km
Price as tested: $56,899 plus fees and taxes