Trims and Powertrain

Buyers of the 2026 Santa Fe can choose from five trims: the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Their powertrain pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission; the output is 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on all but the XRT, which comes only with HTRAC all-wheel drive (AWD), which is an option on the other trims.

The SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy return an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city with either drivetrain, while highway mileage reaches 29 mpg with FWD and 28 mpg with AWD. The XRT drops to an estimated 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway. The XRT leads the lineup with a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 pounds, outpacing the other trims’ 3,500-pound limit when it’s properly equipped. They all have a drive mode selector with Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart settings, as well as Terrain Mode on the XRT. Every Santa Fe comes with MacPherson front struts and a multi-link rear suspension, both outfitted with gas-filled dampers and stabilizer bars.

Standard Features

The SE seats seven passengers, thanks to a three-person 60/40-split folding second-row bench with power release, and a 50/50-split sinking/folding third-row bench. This base trim has YES Essentials stain-resistant cloth seats, manually adjustable front seats with two-way power lumbar support, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 4.2-inch driver information display, single-zone air conditioning with second-row air vents, proximity key entry, push-button ignition, a two-level center console with bi-directional opening, an automatic-up/down driver window, four USB ports (two each in the first two rows), two 12-volt cargo outlets (front row and cargo area), and LED interior lighting. The exterior highlights are a hands-free power liftgate with adjustable height settings and auto-open, heated exterior mirrors, auto-on/off LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, a roof-mounted stop light, solar and acoustic laminated front glass, privacy rear glass, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The SEL moves up to H-Tex leatherette upholstery, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone automatic temperature control with third-row vents, heated exterior mirrors with integrated LED turn indicators, Hyundai Digital Key 2, auto-up/down front windows, third-row USB ports, and roof rails. The XRT boasts an extra 1.3 inches of ground clearance (8.3 inches instead of 7) and is outfitted with a sunroof, dual wireless smartphone charging, a 115-volt power outlet, trim-exclusive black anodized exterior badging, a C-pillar assist handle, and 18-inch dark-finished alloy wheels clad in all-terrain tires.

The Limited seats six passengers, swapping the second-row bench seat for captain’s chairs with power reclining and folding. It is also leather-upholstered with a memory driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar support, a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a dual-pane sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated HomeLink, power-folding heated exterior mirrors with integrated LED turn indicators, ambient interior lighting, manual rear sunshades, a mélange headliner, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The Calligraphy upgrades to a Nappa leather interior with a relaxation-style driver’s seat with a one-touch setting and an extension cushion, a 12-inch head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, auto-up/down rear windows, an eco-suede microfiber headliner, and 21-inch dark-finished alloy wheels.

Driver-Assistance Technology

The entire Santa Fe lineup receives the Hyundai SmartSense driver-assist technology bundle containing blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward and reverse parking distance warning, Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, Driver Attention Warning, safe exit assist, rear occupant alert, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with direct oncoming pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection. High beam assist and a rearview monitor with parking guidance are also standard on all trims. The SEL and above add forward attention warning and advanced rear occupant alert, while the XRT gets Highway Driving Assist. The Limited and Calligraphy add side parking distance warning, Remote Smart Parking Assist, a blind-spot view monitor, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor. The Calligraphy goes further with blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, Highway Driving Assist II, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, which includes pedestrian, cyclist, junction turning, junction crossing, lane-change oncoming, direct oncoming, lane-change side, driver steering assist, auto-evasive steering assist, and evasive steering assist.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Santa Fe’s base infotainment suite uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen to manage its features: wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, over-the-air updating, HD Radio, Bluetooth hands-free and wireless audio streaming, and a sound system (the Limited and Calligraphy upgrade from the basic setup to a Bose system with 12 speakers). The XRT and above also get dynamic voice recognition. Every 2026 Santa Fe is set up with a rear-seat quiet mode and access to Hyundai’s Bluelink+ Connected Car System. The XRT and higher add Hyundai Pay technology, enabling payments for gas and parking to be made via the infotainment system.