If you have been eyeing the all-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT but wondering whether it can actually handle real adventure, we put it to the ultimate test. We packed it up, hooked up a teardrop camper, and spent a full week glamping and campsite hopping in the great outdoors. From cargo space and towing to tech features and off-road capability, here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Santa Fe XRT straight from real-world experience.
Table of Contents
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Overview
By now you have probably heard about the all-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, which has gone through quite the massive redesign. In a lot of ways it looks and feels like a completely new SUV from the ground up. Now that it has finally hit our lot at McCarthy Olathe Hyundai, we simply could not wait to put it through its paces.
To really give it a proper test, we decided to pack it up for a full week of glamping and general shenanigans out in the country using the off-road-ready XRT trim. Here is everything we discovered about the 2024 Santa Fe after living out of it for seven days straight.
Preparation and Packing
The first step of any successful trip is getting your supplies together and loading up the car. We had two adults on this trip, which meant we could take full advantage of all the space behind the first row. The goal was simple — pack enough clothing, food, water, and gear to last an entire week without having to make a single trip back to civilization.
As is the case with many newer SUVs in the midsize segment, the Santa Fe has grown significantly compared to the previous generation. It is taller, longer, has a larger wheelbase, and now comes with three rows as standard. The interior has an open and boxy feel that is clearly designed to let you use every single inch of available space. With just under 80 square feet of total storage, we were feeling pretty confident going in — and as it turned out, we were right to be.
With the second and third rows folded completely flat, here is everything we managed to fit inside:
- Two duffel bags full of clothes
- Two large coolers
- Two sleeping bags
- Two inflatable sleeping pads
- Three 5-gallon water jugs
- One Coleman two-burner camp stove
- One folding table
- Two folding chairs
- One collapsible awning
- And a few other odds and ends
At this point you might be wondering where the tent went. The answer is we did not need one. Thanks to the Santa Fe XRT’s impressive 4,500-pound towing capacity, we were able to pull a small teardrop camper the entire trip. And since all of our luggage was stored inside the cab, the factory roof rails were completely free to carry a couple of lightweight kayaks on top. Just like that, we were ready to hit the road.
Driving Dynamics and Tech Features
Being loaded to the gills and towing a 2,000-pound trailer had us just a little worried about pushing our Santa Fe XRT to its limit. But it handled everything just fine, and honestly without much fuss. A big part of that credit goes to the turbo four-cylinder engine, which makes almost 90 more horsepower and significantly more torque than the previous generation motor. The extra inch and a half of ground clearance did not hurt either.
Now while the XRT is not the absolute top of the lineup like the Santa Fe Calligraphy, we were still genuinely impressed by the tech on offer. Every single trim of the 2024 Santa Fe comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which is a great touch. The onboard navigation paired with HD radio and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto gave us a seamless way to use our smartphone maps without any cable clutter. The wireless charging pad kept our phones topped up the whole time, and with that taken care of, the two front USB ports were free to charge our other devices whenever needed.
The front row’s overall layout also deserves a mention. The thoughtful design creates a surprising amount of cubby storage up front, which made it really easy to keep small everyday items organized and within reach while driving.
As for the driver assistance features, we know people tend to have strong opinions either way. Personally we were fans. The included Hyundai SmartSense suite — which includes smart cruise control and lane keeping assist — made long highway stretches noticeably more relaxed. And when we did not feel like using them, the controls were intuitive enough that toggling them off took barely a second.
Campsite Hopping and Real World Use
We had a soft itinerary of three different campsites lined up for the week, so easy loading and unloading was important to us. Thankfully the second-row doors provided excellent access to the entire storage area, and the auto-lift tailgate was smart enough not to bump against our trailer. That meant we never had to unhook the camper just to grab our gear and set up camp, which saved us a lot of time and frustration over the course of the week.
Once we got most of our gear unloaded at our first site, we noticed something pretty interesting that had not crossed our minds before. With the seats folded flat, two adults could comfortably stretch out and sleep in the back of the Santa Fe. As long as you are okay with keeping your stuff in a trailer, rooftop carrier, or simply shifting it to the front seats, it works surprisingly well as a sleeping space. Hyundai’s liftgate-first design approach even makes it feel intentional and inviting rather than like a workaround. We made a mental note of that one for future trips.
One of our favorite small design details on the whole trip was the hidden assist handles built into the C-pillars. They sound like a minor thing but they made a real difference every single time we needed to climb up and access the roof to grab our kayaks. Small detail, big payoff.
Over the course of the week we did not run into any serious issues while moving from spot to spot. The only minor annoyance was finding perfectly level ground for the trailer at each site, which honestly just made the idea of sleeping in the back even more appealing. We never went full off-road, but features like the traction control system and downhill brake control still proved useful more than once when navigating uneven terrain around the campsites.
Final Verdict: Overlander Tested, Overlander Approved
After a full week of basically living out of our 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, we can say with confidence that it is one of the best new three-row SUVs for this kind of lifestyle. It is spacious enough for all but the biggest families without crossing into too-big-to-drive territory, and it comes remarkably well-equipped straight from the factory.
Whether you are looking for a capable around-towner that can still get you out into the boonies with confidence, or a family hauler that doubles as a weekend adventure machine, the Santa Fe XRT delivers on both fronts without asking you to compromise.
Are you ready to get behind the wheel? We have 2024 Santa Fe XRT models available along with plenty of other trim packages at a great price through our new vehicle specials. Give us a call at (913) 324-7200 to learn more, and be sure to ask about the exciting new Santa Fe Hybrid coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT tow?
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT has a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds, making it more than capable of pulling a small trailer or camper for your next adventure.
How much cargo space does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offers just under 80 square feet of total storage space, with three rows that fold completely flat for maximum cargo flexibility.
Does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT have Apple CarPlay?
Yes. The 2024 Santa Fe comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims, including the XRT.
Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT good for off-roading?
The Santa Fe XRT is designed for light off-road use, featuring all-wheel drive, traction control, downhill brake control, and extra ground clearance to handle uneven terrain with confidence.
Where can I buy a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT in Kansas City?
You can find the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT at McCarthy Olathe Hyundai in Olathe, Kansas. Call us at (913) 324-7200 or browse our current Santa Fe specials online today.
Connect with us
McCarthy Olathe Hyundai
Address
683 North Rawhide Drive
Olathe, KS 66061-3688
Phone
- Sales 913-213-0411
- Service 913-324-7200
- Parts 913-324-7200
| Monday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Thursday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Friday | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Saturday | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Thursday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Friday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Saturday | 7:00AM - 3:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Thursday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Friday | 7:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Saturday | 7:00AM - 3:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |