Should You Take the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Off Road?
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe can technically go off-road, but with its short ground clearance specs, we wouldn’t recommend it.
While the 2022
Hyundai Santa Fe
might look like the rugged SUV you need to tackle the trails—but unfortunately, it’s all smoke and mirrors. When it comes to actual mechanical performance, the Santa Fe is not suited for off-roading. The perfect off-road capable truck or SUV can be a passport to adventure on the trails. But how can you be sure that your rugged-looking SUV is actually suitable for off-roading?
Here to answer that question in regards to the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is
Jerry
, the #1 rated car insurance
comparison shopping super app
. In this comprehensive guide we’ll break down the Santa Fe’s key specs and determine—once and for all—if this SUV is trail-ready, or if you should find a more capable alternative. RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
Can the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe go off road?
No—not safely, anyhow. Unfortunately, despite its rugged looks, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe lacks the necessary specs to be considered suitable for off-roading.
Whether you’re buying the base
Santa Fe SE
trim for $28,495, or the most expensive Santa Fe trim—the Limited PHEV
—for $47,305, this SUV falls just short of being suitable for off-roading.But where exactly does the Santa Fe fail to measure up? Let’s take a closer look at the key specs you’ll need to be conscious of when considering a vehicle for use off-road.
Ground clearance
The first—and arguably most important—spec you’ll need to consider is ground clearance. Ground clearance is the measurement between the bottom of your vehicle’s chassis and the ground, and it should be between 8.8 and 10.8 inches to be considered suitable for off-roading. Unfortunately, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe has a minimum ground clearance of 8.2 inches, which falls shy of being sufficient for off-road adventures.
Torque
Once again, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe falls flat for off-roading by failing to produce low-end torque. Low-end torque refers to a relatively low lb-ft output at a higher rpm. When it comes to off-roading, low-end torque is preferable because power is more important than speed on the trail.
Unfortunately for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, its torque output of 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM doesn’t provide the SUV with a lot of power to handle those off-road trails.
Tires
Across the board, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe features a set of P235/60TR18 tires. If you’re not a mechanic, here’s what that means.
P235/60TR18 tires are approximately 235 millimeters wide with an aspect ratio of 60%. This means that the measurement of the tire’s sidewall—the distance from the rim of the tire to the tread—is 60% of its total width, or 141 millimeters. The ‘18’ at the end of the tire code indicates that the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe’s tires are designed to be installed on 18-inch wheels.
These tires are suitable for use in mud and snow, making them a decent choice for off-roading—though this doesn’t make up for the Santa Fe’s lackluster ground clearance and torque specs.
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive is more or less a mandatory requirement for off-roading. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with standard front-wheel drive, though all-wheel is available. While all-wheel drive might make your Santa Fe drive better in the snow, it won’t be enough to make the SUV suitable for use off-road.
Angles
Off-roading is all about angles—specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
Once again the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe shows its true colors as a highway-based SUV with approach and departure angles of 16.7 and 20.2 degrees, respectively. On a taller vehicle, that might be enough for some gentle off-roading, but it’s far from ideal for serious rock-crawling.
Off-road rating: Don’t try it
Using
Jerry’s
super-sophisticated DIRT rating system, we’ve rated the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe’s off-roading capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the system:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 App Store Rating. Trusted by 2+ Million Customers.
We’re giving the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe a D rating. Despite its updated trail-ready exterior design, the ground clearance spec is only 0.1 inch taller than it was when the SUV was first introduced in 2000. You might be able to drive your Santa Fe down a dirt road, but when it comes to mild and more serious off-roading, you’re going to want to look elsewhere.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
Thankfully, there are plenty of great off-road capable alternatives to the Hyundai Santa Fe. Let’s take a look at some options that are cheaper, more powerful, and just better for off-roading in general.
Alternative | Model | Price | Ground clearance | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | $22,445 | 8.7 inches | 176 lb-ft |
Best eco-friendly alternative | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe | $57,660 | 8.4 inches | 470 lb-ft |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | 2022 Ford Expedition | $51,080 | 9.8 inches | 470 lb-ft |
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
While off-road vehicles open up a world of automotive possibilities, they do so at a price. Generally speaking, off-road capable trucks and SUVs are more expensive to finance and insure. This is because off-roading increases the likelihood that your vehicle could face serious damage.
Thankfully, shopping with
Jerry
, the #1-rated car insurance comparison shopping super app
, makes it easy to find the best deals on the coverage you need—no matter what you drive. Sign-up takes just a minute and once you make your pick, Jerry’s licensed agents handle everything to finalize your new policy.The best part? Jerry users save an average of more than $800 a year on car insurance.
“I thought I was already paying the lowest rate possible for my age group, butJerryfound me a better deal for the same coverage with Travelers! Everything went so smoothly that I couldn’t help but make a change right away.”—Athit S.
Compare Car Insurance Quotes For Free
Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. Members save $872/year.
Start saving money!
You might also be interested
