Today, I’m diving into one of the most exciting new family SUVs on the market 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. If you’re searching for a three-row SUV that combines bold style, smart family features, and the latest tech, this could be an option for you. Hyundai has completely reimagined the Santa Fe for 2025, giving it a boxy, adventure-ready look and, for the first time, seating for up to seven.

Whether you need extra space for car seats, want flexible seating options, or just love a modern, practical SUV, the new Santa Fe is definitely worth a closer look.

If you’re new here—welcome! I’m Kelly The Car Mom, a mom of four and a certified child passenger safety tech. I review cars with families in mind to help you figure out if they could work for you. Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.

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2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights

Fresh Redesign: Completely updated inside and out, with a sleek, luxurious look.
Spacious Interior: Generous legroom in all three rows—perfect for growing families.
Great Car Seat Setup: Improved tether anchor availability across all seating positions.
Premium Tech Features: 30-inch curved infotainment display and GM's Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving.

Car Seat Setup

Second Row Captain’s Chairs:

Each captain’s chair includes both lower LATCH anchors and a top tether anchor, making car seat installation super straightforward. These seats provide excellent legroom for rear-facing car seats and are wide enough for most forward-facing options. Access to the third row is easy with a slide-and-tilt mechanism, though there isn’t a dedicated car seat tilt feature. Still, getting to the back row with a car seat installed is much easier than in most SUVs.

Second Row Bench Seat:

If you go for the bench, you get two sets of lower LATCH anchors in the outboard seats, and all three seats have top tether anchors. The center seat does not have lower LATCH, just a top tether. While the bench is roomy, I don’t recommend a true three-across car seat setup due to seat belt overlap and limited width.

Third Row:

This is where the Santa Fe really stands out. Both third-row seats have full sets of lower LATCH anchors and top tether anchors – almost unheard of in the third row! That means you can safely install car seats in either third-row spot.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Exterior

The Santa Fe’s new look is a total departure from previous models. It’s boxy, bold, and honestly, it’s grown on me a lot. The earthy matte bronze color is especially sharp, and the squared-off shape gives serious Land Rover and Ford Flex vibes.

The front grille is wide and modern, the LED headlights are striking, and the whole SUV looks more expensive than it is. It fits right in with Hyundai’s new rugged design direction-and looks great in the Arizona sun when we used it on a trip to see family.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe First Row

Up front, the Santa Fe feels modern and practical. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with good headroom. Both front seats are heated and ventilated, and the driver’s seat even has a relaxation function in top trims.

The dashboard features a mix of physical knobs and a 6-inch touchscreen for climate control-handy, though the touchscreen can be a bit clunky. Storage is solid: you get double wireless chargers, two USB-C ports, a pass-through under the console for purses or snacks, and a UV sanitizer in the glove box for your phone or wallet. There’s also a bi-directional center console and plenty of cupholders. Overall, the vibe is “spaceship meets family hauler”-and I’m here for it.

Infotainment System

The Santa Fe features a dual-screen setup with a large infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and the system is easy to use for navigation, music, and more. Multiple charging ports throughout the cabin keep everyone’s devices powered up

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Second Row

This is where the Santa Fe really shines for families. You can choose captain’s chairs or a bench seat, and both offer great legroom-even with tall drivers up front. The seats slide and recline, and there’s a remote release for easy third-row access. Built-in sunshades, heated seats (on higher trims), and ceiling vents keep everyone comfy.

There are two cup holders in each door (perfect for a water bottle), plus more storage in the center console and seatbacks. Charging ports are built into the back of the seats, so no long cords are stretching everywhere. And the best part? Every second-row seat has both lower LATCH anchors and tether anchors, making car seat installation a breeze

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Third Row

I have to say, I’m genuinely impressed with the third row in the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. Yes, it’s on the tighter side – this is a compact three-row SUV after all – but Hyundai made it work in all the right ways. Instead of squeezing in three tight seats, you get two really good ones, each with its own full set of LATCH and tether anchors. That means you can actually install two car seats back here without fighting for space or buckles, which is almost unheard of in this segment and a total game-changer for families.

The amenities are fantastic: each seat gets its own cupholder, there are charging ports, ceiling vents, and even fan speed controls. The seats themselves are comfortable for kids or smaller adults, and the third row doesn’t feel like an afterthought at all. It’s clear Hyundai put real thought into making this space functional and family-friendly.

2025 Buick Enclave Trunk Space

With all three rows up, trunk space is limited – about what you’d expect for a compact three-row SUV. You won’t fit a big stroller back there, but the third row folds flat for much more space.

There’s a small underfloor storage area, but nothing like what you get in the Palisade. For everyday errands or vacations, the trunk is practical enough, plus the wide tailgate makes loading easy. If you need more space, you can always use the generous second-row legroom to stash extra gear behind car seats.

Family-Friendliness

What Works:

Full LATCH and tethers in four of the five rear seats (including the third row!)
Flexible seating: captain’s chairs or bench, sliding and reclining second row, easy third-row access
Kid comfort: sunshades, ceiling vents, heated seats, tons of cupholders and charging ports
Modern tech: dual screens, wireless charging, UV sanitizer, and Hyundai’s full suite of safety features

What Doesn’t Work:

Third-row legroom is tight if the second row is pushed back
Trunk space is small with all seats up, not ideal for big strollers
Some controls (especially climate) are a bit clunky

Who Is This Car For?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is perfect for families who want the flexibility of a third row but don’t want to drive a massive SUV. It’s ideal if you have a mix of car seats and older kids, or if you want a stylish, tech-filled ride that stands out in the school pickup line.

If you need tons of trunk space with all seats up, you might want to look at something bigger, but for most families, the Santa Fe hits a sweet spot between size, style, and practicality.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Wrap-Up

Hyundai absolutely nailed this redesign! The 2025 Santa Fe is bold, practical, and packed with features that make family life easier. The car seat setup is what I’d consider best-in-class, the tech is modern, and the interior is comfortable for everyone. While the third row and trunk aren’t huge, the Santa Fe is a fantastic choice for families who want versatility without going full minivan or giant SUV.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely-especially if you’re looking for something fresh and functional that still feels fun to drive.

Would you consider the new Santa Fe for your family? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out my other reviews for the latest family cars hitting the market this year:

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