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Hyundai Motor Company knows how to produce affordable SUVs that provide long-term value. The Santa Fe nameplate is a testament to its ability to make reasonably priced SUV models that consumers enjoy. The Santa Fe is undergoing a major redesign for the 2024 model year. Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe worth getting, or should you wait on the new model?

Should you get a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

A white 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe midsize SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | Hyundai

Hyundai’s Santa Fe midsize SUV is astonishingly affordable for its size. It’s ideal for small families that want a little more room than the average small SUV model can provide. The 2023 Santa Fe comes in five configurations and offers decent specs.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe specs

  • Starts at $28,750 (before taxes and additional fees)
  • 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (191 horsepower/ 181 lb-ft torque)
  • 25 miles per gallon city/ 28 miles per gallon highway

Unsurprisingly, the Santa Fe isn’t very powerful. It’s efficient for its size but not remarkably so. Ultimately, the main appeal of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is its value proposition. Additionally, it has a smooth ride quality and great standard features. It includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, smart cruise control with stop-and-go, and lane-keeping assist.

Santa Fe SE base models also have standard driver attention warning, safe exit assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The midsize SUV provides great value in the eyes of many drivers, but one configuration offers more value than others.

What’s the best 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe trim to get?

A white 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe midsize SUV is driving off-road.
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | Hyundai

If you want the best Santa Fe trim for the money, you’ll have to spend much more than the cost of the base model. The Santa Fe Limited all-wheel drive offers the most value for the money. This option comes standard with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

Adding all-wheel drive to the Santa Fe Limited brings its total up to $43,635. This 2023 Santa Fe configuration is more exciting to drive than lower trims thanks to its turbocharged engine, and all-wheel drive increases its capability. Furthermore, the Santa Fe Limited comes with some sweet standard features.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited standard features

  • Leather-trimmed seats
  • Heated front seats
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers
  • Surround-view monitor
  • Blind-spot view monitor
  • Remote smart parking assist

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe being redesigned?

The Hyundai Santa Fe is completely redesigned for the 2024 model year. Hyundai claims that “virtually everything has changed for 2024”, meaning its design language is drastically different. We’ve seen futuristic exterior designs from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6.

The Santa Fe seems to be heading in the same direction. Though there’s still plenty to learn about the new Santa Fe, it’s apparent that it’s more refined and technologically advanced than ever before. Hyundai is marketing it as capable as well. Overall, the 2023 Santa Fe is still worth getting, but the new model year is bringing welcome changes that improve its value proposition (assuming it isn’t outlandishly expensive).