Hyundai Santa Fe Prestige Review: Hanoi to Huu Lung Road Trip – Practical, Easy to Drive, Yet Challenging Market Tastes

However, with the new generation, the model has lost its familiar appeal. The primary reason lies in the bold exterior design changes, which have sparked mixed opinions in the market.

In this review, we test-drive the Hyundai Santa Fe Prestige on the Hanoi – Huu Lung (Lang Son) route, covering various real-world driving conditions: congested urban areas, highways, provincial roads, and mountain passes. The article focuses on analyzing the vehicle’s performance, interior space, and suitability for family needs in Vietnam.

Exterior: Bold Personality but Niche Appeal

Compared to its predecessor, the new Santa Fe has undergone a complete design overhaul. It adopts a boxy, angular style inspired by large North American SUVs. The distinctive “H”-shaped front and rear lights emphasize the brand’s identity.

However, this change has become a point of contention. While the front is modern and imposing, the upright body and tail design make the overall appearance feel bulkier to some users. If the previous Santa Fe was considered “easy on the eyes and wallet,” the new design demands a clear aesthetic preference and acceptance of its uniqueness.

From a practical standpoint, the boxy design significantly improves interior space, especially for the third row and cargo area. However, in terms of mass appeal, this is likely a key factor hindering the new Santa Fe’s sales performance in a highly competitive market.

Interior: Spacious, Comfortable, and Family-Oriented

In contrast to the exterior debates, the Santa Fe Prestige’s cabin receives positive reviews. The horizontal layout, combined with a seamless large screen, creates a modern and airy feel.

The front seats offer a high seating position and excellent visibility, suitable for urban traffic. The seats provide adequate support for long journeys. The second row remains a traditional strength, with ample legroom and reclining seats, catering well to adults on multi-hour trips.

The third row is sufficient for children or adults on short trips. The roof design and rear glass reduce claustrophobia, a plus compared to many 7-seat SUVs in the segment.

In terms of amenities, the Prestige trim is well-equipped for families, featuring multiple charging ports, well-placed storage compartments, and an effective tri-zone climate control system. Material quality is decent, offering a solid feel appropriate for its price and positioning.

Driving Experience: Smooth, Easy to Handle, True Family SUV

In Hanoi’s congested traffic, the Santa Fe Prestige offers a smooth driving experience. The throttle is finely tuned, not overly sensitive, ensuring comfortable stop-and-go driving. The light steering at low speeds aids maneuverability and parking, despite the vehicle’s large size.

On the highway, the Santa Fe demonstrates stability at high speeds. The body remains balanced, and the steering becomes firmer, inspiring driver confidence. The gasoline engine adequately handles typical overtaking maneuvers, though it doesn’t prioritize aggressive acceleration. Wind and tire noise are well-managed, maintaining a relatively quiet cabin.

On mountain passes and rough provincial roads, the suspension prioritizes comfort. It effectively absorbs bumps, benefiting rear passengers. During cornering, the body leans noticeably—typical for high-riding SUVs—but remains within safe and controllable limits.

Why is the New Santa Fe “Harder to Sell”?

Compared to its predecessor, the new Santa Fe is no longer a “safe choice” for the majority. Its highly personalized exterior design makes it less appealing to neutral buyers—those who drove its past sales success.

Meanwhile, its core values remain intact: spaciousness, comprehensive amenities, smooth performance, and ease of use. This suggests that the sales slowdown stems not from product quality but from the new design direction and intensifying competition in the 7-seat SUV segment.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Prestige is a true family SUV, suitable for diverse needs from urban commuting to long-distance travel. On the Hanoi – Huu Lung route, it demonstrates a good balance of comfort, stability, and practicality.

However, its bold exterior is a double-edged sword. While it helps the Santa Fe stand out, it also limits its mass-market appeal. For buyers prioritizing utility over mainstream aesthetics, the Santa Fe remains a worthy consideration in today’s 7-seat SUV segment.

PV – Huy Bách (Tuoitrethudo)