It's been a few years since the Hyundai Santa Fe received its iconic refresh, and with the 2026 edition, you can expect a slight revamp. This boxy SUV will keep much of its charm, although with new features inside and out, there is much to get excited about. From new design elements and color options to features such as improved standard equipment in lower and higher trims, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is better than ever. If you have been eyeing a Santa Fe and want to make a move, let our friendly team at Granite Hyundai introduce you to this perfect family vehicle.
Is the Santa Fe Changing in 2026?
Yes. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is changing a bit in this upcoming model year. As we mentioned, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe will be receiving several noteworthy changes, including a new 8-speed automatic transmission replacing the dual-clutch in gasoline models, new interior color options, and the removal of the UV sterilization tray. Your higher trim levels see more tech and comfort than ever, and the XRT trim will now come standard with a gloss black grille.
Bonus for hybrid drivers: The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid gets a new SE trim that is cheaper for those looking to enter a semi-electric model.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Interior
The interior of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe has plenty to offer, including standard 7-person seating, YES Essentials® stain-resistant cloth seats, a 6-way adjustable driver seat, 60/40 split fold-flat seats with recline and adjustable head restraints, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®, 2nd-row HVAC vents, a 4.2-inch color Multi-Information Display, and more.
The interior dimensions for this seven-passenger SUV are:
- Head room (front/2nd row/3rd row): 41.1 / 40.6 / 37.7 inches
- Leg room (front/2nd row/3rd row): 44.4 / 42.3 / 30.0 inches
- Shoulder room (front/2nd row/3rd row): 59.5 / 58.1 / 53.5 inches
- Hip room (front/2nd row/3rd row): 56.5 / 54.9 / 42.7 inches
- Total interior volume: 166.6 cubic feet
- Passenger volume: 152 cubic feet
Note: Cargo inside the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is generous, giving you up to 79.6 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 14.6 cubic feet in the trunk.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Exterior
The exterior of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is another standout for many reasons, even following this slight refresh. Of course, you can still expect the H-style lighting and boxy shape to be there, but this time, more refined across all trims. Some of the standard features on the 2026 Santa Fe include shark fin roof antennas, silver "H" logo and "SANTA FE" badging, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and accents, LED taillights, body-color side mirrors (black arm), and heated side mirrors, to name a few.
- Wheelbase: 110.8 inches
- Length: 190.2 inches
- Width (excludes mirrors): 74.8 inches
- Height: 67.7 inches
- Minimum ground clearance: 7.0 inches
Performance and Powertrain
Performance and powertrain specifications for the all-new 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe are also categories we want to cover. The engine in this SUV is a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4, or if you go with the hybrid, you will get a 1.6-liter turbo with an electric motor.
Specifications:
- Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
- Horsepower: 277 ponies
- Torque: 311 pound-feet
- Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
What Safety Features Does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
Many different safety features come with the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe. You have SmartSense standard, giving you access to everything from driver-assistance technology to advanced monitoring on the road ahead (and behind) you. Below, we will include some of the safety features you can expect with the 2026 Santa Fe SUV.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Parking Distance Warning - Forward/Reverse (PDW - F/R)
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian (FCA-Ped), Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
Hyundai SmartSense
One of the perks you get as a Hyundai driver and shopper is that all new models from the brand offer standard SmartSense. This is Hyundai's award-winning safety suite, including sensors, cameras, radar, and alerts to keep you and your passengers as safe as possible. SmartSense adds multiple layers of protection every time you drive, and it enhances the already safe SUV with the 2026 Santa Fe.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment and connectivity features in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe are worthwhile, especially as you move up in trim level. Even at a base trim, the Santa Fe has extensive touchscreen capabilities, a digital gauge cluster, and a fully functioning center console area. If it's technology you are looking for, this seven-seater is the perfect answer.
Here are some infotainment features we want to highlight:
- 12.3-inch touchscreen
- HD Radioâ„¢
- SiriusXM
- Wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®
- Rear Seat Quiet Mode
- Over-the-Air (OTA) updating capability
- Bluetooth® hands-free phone system
- 4.2-inch color Multi-Information Display
In higher trims, you can expect even better options, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Bose® premium audio with 12 speakers.
What Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe MPG?
According to the EPA, the 2026 edition of the Santa Fe has not been officially rated, but there are estimates on fuel consumption. You can expect this SUV to get up to 20/29/24 city/highway/combined with Front-Wheel Drive and 20/28/23 city/highway/combined with All-Wheel Drive. Overall, it has impressive fuel performance for a three-row SUV, and if you prefer even better MPG ratings and estimates, the hybrid version of the Hyundai Santa Fe is always an option.
Note: The XRT trim has lower MPG estimates, coming out to 19 city/25 highway/21 combined with its one and only AWD option.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe comes in five possible trim levels, starting with the SE and ending with the Calligraphy. Of course, your base SE trim will be the most basic, although even then, it has plenty of standard comfort, tech, and safety options that make it feel luxurious. The XRT is the sportiest trim you can choose with the Santa Fe, and it also boasts trim-only badging and design elements.
SE
The SE is the first of five trim options for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe. It retails for $34,800 and includes the following:
- FWD: 20 City/29 Highway/24 Combined
- AWD: 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined
- 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder
- 12.3-inch touchscreen display
- Bluelink+
- Hands-free smart liftgate with auto open
- 18-inch alloy wheels
SEL
The next trim you can choose from is the SEL, which retails for $37,340. It offers these things standard:
- FWD: 20 City/29 Highway/24 Combined
- AWD: 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined
- 277 Horsepower 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder
- H-Tex® seating surfaces
- Heated front seats
- Hyundai Digital Key 2 Premium
- Wireless device charging
XRT
The XRT is the sporty trim of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup, retailing for $41,790 and offering these features:
- AWD: 19 City/25 Highway/21 Combined
- 277 Horsepower 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder
- HTRAC All Wheel Drive
- 18-inch dark alloy wheels
- All-terrain tires with an additional 1.3-inch ground clearance
- Dual wireless device charging
Limited
As one of the higher trims of the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Limited model offers a bit of everything to drivers and passengers. It retails for $44,350 and offers these highlights:
- FWD: 20 City/29 Highway/24 Combined
- AWD: 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined
- 277 Horsepower 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)
- 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster
- Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
Calligraphy
The highest trim level for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the Calligraphy, which retails for $47,350 and offers these features standard:
- FWD: 20 City/29 Highway/24 Combined
- AWD: 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined
- 277 Horsepower 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Nappa leather-trimmed seating surfaces
- Driver seat with relaxation function
- Full display rearview mirror
Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Right for You?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is right for anyone who wants a luxury-feeling SUV for under $35,000 to start. Even though we just saw a major refresh in 2024 for this long-beloved SUV, the Santa Fe continues to update and improve into 2026. You can expect better comfort and tech than before, as well as standard SmartSense safety in all trim levels. It's a must-drive option in the lineup.
Get Your Hyundai Santa Fe at Granite Hyundai
If you are ready to get into a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, our pros here at Granite Hyundai in Somersworth, NH, want to help. We have plenty of inventory available for you to browse, and we can help you get a set of keys for a test drive. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't wait to call or visit, and we will be here ready to assist. Drive safe!
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