Hyundai Santa Fe XRT AWD Road Test: Rugged Style Meets Everyday Utility

AWD stands for all-wheel drive, meaning power can be sent to more than just the front or rear wheels. It’s commonly used to improve traction in rain, snow, and uneven road conditions.

An EV partnership is a collaboration between automakers and/or technology companies to develop and produce electric vehicles. When hosts say one is being restructured or canceled, it usually affects future product plans, investment timelines, and supply-chain commitments.

Sony is a technology company that has been involved in automotive collaborations, including EV-related efforts. The segment frames Sony’s role as part of a high-profile partnership that is being canceled and restructured.

Defective replacement airbags refer to airbags that were previously replaced under a recall, but the replacement parts themselves may have defects. This can lead to injuries and is why regulators continue to monitor and warn even after earlier fixes.

AI and satellite internet are being combined to improve connectivity and onboard experiences for travelers, especially in areas with weak cell coverage. Satellite internet provides coverage over large regions, while AI can help with routing, recommendations, and managing data or services.

Air quality matters for road trips because major tourist destinations can experience worse pollution during peak seasons. For travelers, that can affect comfort and health—especially for people with asthma or other respiratory sensitivities—so it’s increasingly part of trip planning.

The Volvo EX60 is a battery-electric vehicle previewed as part of Volvo’s future EV lineup, discussed by Volvo Cars America’s head of future vehicles. It’s significant because it signals Volvo’s continued expansion of electric models beyond the already introduced EVs. The podcast mention likely focuses on what Volvo is planning and how the EX60 fits into their electrification strategy.

Negative equity (often called being “upside down”) happens when you owe more on your current car loan than the car is worth. When you trade in, that gap typically gets rolled into the new loan, increasing the amount you finance and the monthly payment.

“Being upside down” is the common phrase for negative equity—your loan balance is higher than the vehicle’s market value. It’s a financial risk because it can make it harder to get out of the loan without carrying the debt forward.

The discussion highlights how loan size and interest costs translate into monthly payments, with an average cited around $932. When borrowers roll prior debt into a new loan, the financed amount increases, which can push payments toward $1,000 or more. This is especially impactful if the loan term is long.

“Inflated” vehicle pricing refers to the period when supply constraints and demand shifts pushed new and used car prices higher than normal. Shortages can reduce inventory, which increases bargaining power for sellers and raises transaction prices. Higher prices then flow into larger loan amounts and higher monthly payments.

The “back end” of a loan refers to the later portion of the financing term, when the remaining balance may still be significant. If vehicle values drop faster than the loan balance is paid down, borrowers can end up owing more than the car is worth when they try to trade it in. That mismatch often drives people toward refinancing or rolling debt into a new purchase.

“Rolling in” means adding your remaining balance from an older vehicle loan (or other debt) into the financing for a new car. Because you’re effectively financing more principal, your monthly payment can jump and the loan term often stretches out. It can also leave you owing money on a car you no longer drive while you start payments on the new one.

The “average transaction price” is the typical negotiated price paid for a vehicle, including dealer discounts and add-ons depending on how it’s measured. When that average rises, it increases the typical amount financed and can raise monthly payments even if interest rates are unchanged. It’s a key driver of affordability concerns.

Ophila is referenced as the vehicle brand tied to the Sony Honda Mobility EV plans. The hosts suggest the brand is being dropped along with the broader partnership.

CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is where automakers and tech companies often announce new vehicle concepts and partnerships. Mentioning CES in 2023 anchors when the Sony/Honda EV plans were first publicly revealed.

The segment contrasts early excitement for new electric vehicles with later consumer preferences for more conventional, lower-priced models. This highlights how technology adoption can shift as pricing, styling, and practicality evolve.

A “write-off” in insurance and fleet contexts means a vehicle is declared a total loss and removed from service. The hosts connect the scale of write-offs to the broader costs of major automotive issues.

The hosts are discussing defective airbags—airbag inflators or sensors that can malfunction. Instead of deploying safely to protect occupants, a bad airbag can deploy improperly or with excessive force, creating serious injury risk.

ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, a well-known organization associated with automotive technician training and certification. In this segment, the hosts reference ASE as an authority that has advised about defective airbags.

The Takata airbag recall was a massive safety campaign triggered by faulty inflators that could rupture and send metal fragments toward occupants. It affected millions of vehicles worldwide and led to repeated replacement programs over many years.

Counterfeit airbags are fake replacement parts that imitate the appearance of genuine units but may not meet safety and performance standards. Because they can be installed by shops that don’t realize they’re fake, they can leave the vehicle with the same (or worse) risk as the defective airbags they replaced.

An airbag inspection is a check to confirm whether the correct, safe airbag components are installed and whether any recall-related replacements were completed properly. Since counterfeit parts can be hard to spot visually, inspection and verification matter.

Airbag deployment is the event where airbags inflate during a crash to reduce injury. The hosts note that most cars won’t experience a crash severe enough to deploy airbags, but the risk still exists, which is why correct parts are critical.

A “genuine part” means an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement part made for that specific vehicle. For safety-critical components like airbags, using the correct approved part helps ensure proper fit, sensors/controls compatibility, and deployment behavior.

AI can be used to recommend or shortlist campsites based on preferences, location, and availability. In practice, it’s often used as a “jumping off point” for planning rather than a fully reliable source of real-time conditions.

“Planning stages” refers to using tools or information before the trip begins—route selection, timing, and risk assessment. In vehicle/outdoor trips, this is where tech like AI or mapping can reduce mistakes before you’re actually driving or navigating.

“Out on the trail” implies off-road or semi-off-road driving where surfaces are less predictable than normal roads. That’s where vehicle capability (like AWD traction and ground clearance) and driver planning matter most.

Satellite imagery is aerial data captured from space that can show terrain, roads, and landmarks. In an outdoor context, it helps people locate campsites and understand how remote an area really is before they go.

This highlights a timing effect: the busiest travel period can overlap with the worst air pollution. That’s important for trip planning because you may experience the destination at its most polluted time, not just its most popular time.

Wildfire smoke is a major source of seasonal air pollution in parts of the American West. It can significantly reduce visibility and make outdoor conditions worse, which can influence how comfortable a road trip feels during summer.

The Toyota Corolla Cross is a compact crossover SUV, and this episode specifically focuses on the hybrid version. Hybrids use an electric motor to assist the engine, which can improve fuel economy versus the gas-only model.

A trim level is a specific configuration of a model that bundles features, styling, and sometimes drivetrain choices. When a trim is described as “off-road” or “rugged,” it usually means appearance upgrades and possibly additional capability-focused equipment compared with lower trims.

A hybrid powertrain combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery. The system can run on the engine, the motor, or both depending on speed and driving conditions, which is why hybrids are often marketed for improved efficiency.

“Combined” horsepower is the total output you get when the engine and electric motor are considered together, since they can contribute power in different conditions. It’s a common way hybrids are rated so buyers can compare overall performance.

Ride quality describes how smooth and controlled a vehicle feels over imperfect roads. The hosts say the Santa Fe XRT AWD stays composed over potholes with minimal noise and “jitteriness,” meaning the suspension and chassis absorb bumps without making the cabin feel unsettled.

Potholes are a common winter road hazard that can upset a vehicle’s suspension and cause noise or harshness. The hosts specifically note the vehicle can handle potholes while keeping noise and movement under control, which ties back to suspension tuning and tire compliance.

In a hybrid, the system can rely more on the electric motors at low speeds and during frequent stops. That’s why city driving—stop-and-go traffic—often shows stronger fuel-economy gains than steady highway cruising.

Cloth upholstery is the standard seating material in many trims, typically chosen for lower cost and easier maintenance. It can feel less premium than leather or synthetic leather, but it’s often more breathable and less slippery.

Synthetic leather (often called leatherette or faux leather) is a man-made material designed to mimic leather’s look and feel. It’s commonly used to provide a more premium interior feel while keeping costs lower than real leather.

Heated front seats use electric heating elements to warm the seat cushions and sometimes the backrests. They’re especially useful in cold climates and can improve comfort quickly without waiting for the cabin to heat up.

A heated steering wheel warms the rim using electric elements. It reduces discomfort from cold hands and can make winter driving feel much more immediate and comfortable.

Wireless phone charging uses an inductive charging pad to transfer power without plugging in a cable. It’s convenient, but charging speed can vary by phone model and how well the phone is positioned on the pad.

“Cubic feet” is a volume measurement used to describe cargo space. Here, folding the back seats increases the Santa Fe’s usable storage to 44 cubic feet, which helps explain how much you can fit for trips and everyday hauling.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are smartphone mirroring systems that let you use your phone’s navigation, music, and compatible apps through the car’s infotainment screen. “Wireless” means you don’t have to plug in your phone for the connection, which is a convenience upgrade.

A digital gauge cluster replaces traditional analog dials with a screen that can display speed, navigation prompts, and vehicle status. The segment notes a 12.3-inch digital cluster, which can improve readability and allow more customization than older designs.

Toyota Safety Sense is Toyota’s suite of driver-assistance technologies. In this segment, they list features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warnings, and cross-traffic alerts—systems designed to reduce the chance of common low-speed and intersection accidents.

Blind spot monitoring uses sensors to detect vehicles alongside you and alerts you when they’re in your blind spot. It’s especially useful during lane changes and highway driving, where quick checks of mirrors aren’t always enough.

Forward collision warning systems detect potential frontal collisions and alert the driver—often with visual and/or audible warnings—before impact. The goal is to give you extra reaction time, particularly in traffic or when approaching slower vehicles.

JBL is an audio brand commonly used in car sound systems. Mentioning a “nine speaker JBL system” signals the audio hardware configuration and that the vehicle is equipped with a premium-tuned setup compared with basic stereos.

The hosts discuss how buyers can choose between lower and top trims to balance cost and features. They specifically mention that the top trim is around $35k and argue it’s reasonable for what you get, while still suggesting a lower trim could save money.

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT AWD is a rugged-styled version of Hyundai’s three-row Santa Fe. In this road test, the XRT trim is positioned as an everyday SUV with off-road-inspired looks and usable interior space for families.

The Hyundai Palisade is Hyundai’s larger-feeling three-row SUV that the hosts compare against the Santa Fe. The point here is that the Palisade is perceived as more “true midsize,” while the Santa Fe XRT is described as smaller but still roomy.

All-terrain tires are designed to handle a mix of pavement and light off-road surfaces. In this test, the host calls them the biggest nod toward off-road capability, because tire tread and sidewall design strongly affect traction and durability off pavement.

This describes the engine layout: a 2.5-liter displacement turbocharged inline-four cylinder. Turbocharging uses exhaust energy to force more air into the engine, which can deliver strong power and torque from a smaller engine.

A turbocharged engine can raise concerns about long-term wear because it operates under higher pressures and temperatures than naturally aspirated engines. The host specifically questions longevity, then counters that Hyundai’s warranty coverage reduces the risk.

A powertrain warranty covers major components that make the vehicle move—typically the engine, transmission, and related drivetrain parts. A 10-year term is meant to lower ownership risk, especially when buyers are concerned about complex systems like turbo engines.

An eight-speed automatic transmission uses eight gear ratios to keep the engine in a more efficient or responsive operating range. More gears can help reduce engine strain during cruising while still providing flexibility for acceleration.

Drive modes change how the vehicle responds by adjusting settings like throttle mapping, shift behavior, and sometimes steering or AWD characteristics. The segment lists Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart as examples of how the same car can feel different depending on the mode.

A turbocharged powertrain uses a turbocharger to force more air into the engine, which typically boosts torque and responsiveness. That often makes a family SUV feel stronger during everyday driving and when climbing or passing.

Towing capacity is the maximum weight the vehicle is rated to pull, typically under specific conditions and with proper equipment. The “4,500 pounds” figure is presented as a practical, reasonable number for this SUV class.

A 50-50 split third-row means each side of the rear seat folds independently, letting you carry a mix of passengers and cargo. This increases flexibility—e.g., keeping some seating while expanding cargo space.

H-tex is Hyundai’s branding for its faux-leather (leatherette) upholstery material. In this segment, it’s used to explain the interior feel and why the hosts prefer it over traditional leather.

Passenger volume is a standardized measurement of how much space is available for occupants. Higher numbers generally indicate a roomier cabin, which matters for families and long trips.

Infotainment refers to the vehicle’s integrated screen and controls for navigation, media, and phone connectivity. The hosts evaluate it based on usability—simplicity, easy navigation while driving, and physical controls.

Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand, and the hosts compare its infotainment visuals to Hyundai’s approach. The point is that Genesis may use flashier graphics, but Hyundai still keeps the interface straightforward to reduce driver distraction.

Genesis is a luxury brand within the Hyundai group, and the podcast mentions it in the context of presentation—like how it uses design and digital effects to create a “flashy” look. It’s often discussed because it represents Hyundai’s move upmarket, focusing on premium styling and a more upscale experience. That makes it a common topic when talking about branding and product positioning.

The Volvo EX60 is an upcoming Volvo electric vehicle discussed in this segment as part of the brand’s EV lineup. The hosts mention they recently got a special look at it in Southern California and are now talking about it as an electric vehicle.

The Volvo EX90 is another electric Volvo model referenced as an example of the company’s recent EV introductions. The hosts use it to frame the guest’s experience with Volvo’s evolving electric lineup.

The segment references EV tax credits as a major financial advantage during earlier EV promotion. The hosts suggest that with incentives gone, automakers will rely more on vehicle value—range, charging, and pricing—to attract buyers.

“OEMs” (original equipment manufacturers) are described as adjusting their strategies to keep EVs affordable even after tax incentives end. This typically means pricing changes, financing offers, or cost reductions to maintain consumer demand.

The Hyundai EX60 is the focus of this segment, described as a fully electric SUV aimed at the mid-sized EV market. The hosts discuss multiple powertrain “flavors,” along with range and performance targets, and they frame it as competing on everyday usability once tax incentives fade.

The XC60 is used as a comparison point for the EX60’s size and “right-sized” feel. The speaker suggests the EX60 is conceptually similar in layout, but with more interior space and versatility due to its newer platform.

“Spa3” is described as the new platform underlying the EX60, and the hosts say it enables better packaging—more interior roominess and improved exterior efficiency. Platform architecture matters because it affects battery placement, cabin space, and overall vehicle proportions.

The hosts use “zero to 60” as a performance metric to describe acceleration for different EX60 powertrains. It’s a quick way to compare how responsive each version feels in everyday driving and merging situations.

The hosts are talking about how quickly an EV can add usable range. They compare a short top-up (10 to 80%) versus a longer session that yields a specific mileage estimate.

“NAX” refers to a charging standard/network interface that the vehicle can support directly. The key point is that having it built-in reduces or eliminates the need for external adapters when using public fast-charging.

A “supercharger network” is a brand/operator of fast-charging stations for EVs. The hosts are emphasizing compatibility—being able to use those chargers without adapters due to the car’s built-in NAX support.

A flat rear load floor makes it easier to slide items in and out and reduces the “steps” that can waste cargo space. It also helps with carrying bulky items because the cargo area is more usable.

Power recline lets the rear seats adjust their backrest angle electronically rather than by manual levers. That improves comfort and makes it easier for passengers to find a relaxed position.

Using Google services typically means built-in voice assistance and navigation features powered by Google. The segment suggests the car is designed to match what drivers already use on their phones.

The hosts are describing an in-car Google integration where navigation and an AI assistant are built into the vehicle rather than relying entirely on a phone. This can reduce setup friction and keep key functions available while driving.

Google Maps is the in-car navigation system being referenced. It typically provides turn-by-turn directions, traffic-aware routing, and search for places along your route.