All-wheel-drive is useful for poor road conditions or off-roading.
The Santa Fe handled solidly. Its steering was relatively quick but numb, which is the standard for a big family SUV.
The engine and gearbox were more than capable of handling the 4,400-pound SUV’s heft in most situations, but dull power delivery off of the line let it down a bit.
The slow power delivery could be due to tip-in lag, which is a delay in throttle response programmed into the vehicle for better fuel economy and a smooth driving experience. It could also be turbo lag, the delay caused by the exhaust gases that drive the turbocharger needing to build up pressure before they can produce power.
Regardless, the lag was considerably more pronounced than I’ve experienced in other SUVs of its type, making acceleration from a standstill more of a chore than it should be.
The delay is even more pronounced when the start-stop system turns the engine off at an intersection or when waiting to make a left turn, at which point the engine has to restart and spool up the turbo before you feel the acceleration.
However, things change quickly once the vehicle is underway. Engine power becomes plentiful, and the Santa Fe quickly powers its way through the gears to highway speeds. I did not experience any power delivery issues while changing lanes or merging on the highway.
According to Car and Driver, the 2024 Santa Fe can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.