Hyundai offers the 2023 Santa Fe in five trim levels – SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy – to suit individual buyers’ equipment preferences and budgets. The first three trims (up to the XRT) get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (191 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque), while a turbocharged version making 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque sits under the hood of the Limited and Calligraphy. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard across the lineup, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. All trims come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the Limited and Calligraphy upgrade to a dual-clutch version.
When they’re equipped with trailer brakes, the SE, SEL, and XRT can tow up to 2,000 pounds (rising to 3,000 pounds for the Limited and Calligraphy). The EPA-determined fuel economy for the base engine with the FWD drivetrain is 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway (22 city/25 highway for AWD). The larger engine and FWD drivetrain offer an estimated 22 mpg around town and 28 mpg on the open road (21 city/28 highway for AWD).
The SE receives a liberal supply of standard features. These include LED headlights and daytime running lights, rear privacy glass, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, two front and two rear USB ports, a 4.2-inch multi-information display, a 60/40-split fold-flat second-row seatback, and an underfloor storage compartment in the cargo area. It also has an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and HD radio.
The standard Hyundai SmartSense advanced safety suite consists of forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist and junction turning detection, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, rear occupant alert, driver attention monitoring, and safe exit assist.
The SEL adds heated side mirrors with approach lights, a hands-free liftgate, roof rails, Digital Key, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, heated front seats with driver’s power adjustments, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, and dual-zone automatic climate control. What’s more, its multimedia system moves up to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM satellite radio, onboard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This trim’s safety roster is also bolstered with enhanced rear occupant alert, semi-automated driving assist (Highway Driving Assist), and navigation-based adaptive cruise control with curve control.
The SEL qualifies for the optional Premium Package, which bundles LED taillights, chrome exterior trim, H-Tex synthetic-leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, power release second-row seats, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a surround-view camera system, and a blind-spot view monitor. It gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, manual second-row sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED interior lighting, acoustic-laminated front glass, and a panoramic sunroof.
The XRT resembles the SEL, but with a more striking appearance dominated by black exterior accents, special moldings, and side-assist steps. It gets H-Tex upholstery as well.
The Limited builds off the SEL with the contents of the Premium Package, but with genuine leather in place of the H-Tex upholstery. This decked-out trim also has projector-type LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, a driver’s seat with position memory and a leg cushion extender, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a HomeLink universal garage door opener. On top of that, the safety tech suite is improved with front and rear parking sensors and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The top-of-the-line Calligraphy is like the Limited, but with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a head-up display, and interior accent lighting.