Hyundai Santa Fe tops midsize SUV category in JD Power 2024 APEAL study

MANILA: J.D. Power’s United States Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (US APEAL) study has named the Hyundai Santa Fe as its top mid-size sports utility vehicle for 2024.

As the US-based data analytics company shared, the South Korean marque’s all-new Santa Fe received high marks for consumer appeal and satisfaction in the aforementioned study. 

To get more technical, the US APEAL study covers 37 vehicle attributes, including the car's appearance, how it feels to drive, the comfort of its interior, and its driving performance. J.D. Power collected data on these attributes from more than 99,000 owners of 2024 model-year vehicles via a survey. Afterward, the gathered data were converted to rank a respective vehicle on a 1,000-point scale. 

According to Hyundai Motor North America senior vice president Olabisi Boyle, the said accolade shows the model’s strength in its segment. 

“We are honored to have Santa Fe recognized for standing out in this competitive segment. This achievement highlights Santa Fe’s bold, rugged design, spacious interior, and smart tech that deeply resonate with the community. Its standout aesthetic and family-friendly features reflect our commitment to blending style, innovation, comfort, and safety.” 

In the Philippine market, the Hyundai Santa Fe is offered in four different variants with a price ranging from P2.41 million to P3.33 million. 

The top-spec model is the Calligraphy Hybrid Electric Vehicle, which is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired with an electronic motor and a lithium-ion battery. At the most, the said hybrid powertrain can generate up to 232 horsepower and 367 Newton-meters of torque. 

Other notable features of the Philippine-spec Santa Fe include a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist systems, Nappa leather seats, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, full LED exterior lighting, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, and dual smartphone wireless chargers, among others. 

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