Our Opinion - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Review The Hyundai Santa Fe is a costly vehicle, and at first glance, it might look like a high-end mid-size SUV. Even though it looks luxurious on the outside, the Santa Fe is an inexpensive way to transport a family of seven. It also has the tough design that you’d expect from a more expensive car. Although it may look boxy, the shape is actually quite practical. The Santa Fe’s cabin is modern and well-equipped, and there is plenty of room for passengers. A large tailgate opens to show a large cargo area. All Santa Fes that aren’t hybrids have a 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharged engine that makes 277 horsepower and an automatic gearbox with eight speeds and a torque converter. The Santa Fe has enough power, but it prefers to cruise smoothly rather than going fast and turning quickly. The Santa Fe is the best three-row SUV in terms of practicality, style, and elegance. What's New? It was changed from a problematic eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox to a more standard eight-speed torque-converter automatic in 2026. Most of the remaining updates to the Santa Fe consist of new features added to the higher-end Calligraphy, Limited, and XRT trims. Bench seats are an option, but on some types, second-row captain’s chairs are now standard. Both the Limited and XRT trim levels now come with two wireless phone chargers. The XRT also has a new Terrain Mode with choices for mud, snow, and sand. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim now comes with a new Pecan Brown nappa leather choice on the inside. Pros and Cons Pros Big cabin screens. The interior offers ample space and practical functionality. A body that is bold and unique. Cons Wind noise at high speed. The gasoline transmission is simpler to operate and understand. Without feeling, you can move. Engine, Transmission, and Performance It comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that delivers 277 horsepower. Automatic transmission with eight speeds. Two drivetrain options are available: front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Each Santa Fe has a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that makes 277 horsepower. You can choose to have all-wheel drive, but front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are normal. Since the suspension is set up to make the ride smooth and soft, only the hardest hits get through to the cabin. It’s normal for cars to roll around a lot when they turn bends, but the steering is well-weighted. If you need faster reactions, we recommend the Mazda CX-90, which has three rows of seats and is more fun to drive. When you’re driving the Santa Fe, it’s easy to do, and the ride is smooth and comfy, especially on highways. Safety Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are just two of the driver-assistance features that come standard with the Santa Fe. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking are all safety features that come standard. Internal and External Cargo Capacity First Row: It’s clear that Hyundai drew inspiration from high-end brands like Land Rover for the interior design of the Santa Fe. The cabin boasts a stylish design and comes fully equipped with modern features. The upper trims can fit high-end parts and luxurious features like wood trim, an extended driving footrest, and nappa leather seat upholstery. Second Row: The second row of seats in the Limited and Calligraphy models now have captain’s chairs that can be powered up and down. Base models SE and SEL have bench seats in the second row. No matter what, the middle row has plenty of room for people. Third Row: The third row in the Santa Fe isn’t as spacious as those in the Hyundai Palisade or the Toyota Grand Highlander, but it’s still suitable for kids and smaller adults. Hyundai says there is 14.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row. For our tests, we arranged 34 carry-on suitcases with the third and second rows folded, 16 with the third row hidden, and five bags behind the third row. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG 24 mpg on the highway at 75 mph. EPA ratings for city driving: 19 to 20 mpg. 26–29 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The EPA has not yet released the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe’s fuel economy figures. However, the front-wheel-drive model from the previous year got 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The gas mileage dropped to 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway when all-wheel drive was added, and the more powerful XRT type was chosen. The Santa Fe will have an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox starting in 2026. This may change the fuel economy numbers for that year. These numbers will be updated as soon as new ones become available. Infotainment and Connectivity Infotainment: 12.3-inch tablet for entertainment Connectivity: Connectivity through Bluetooth and WiFi, Google Auto, and Apple CarPlay Audio System: You can choose a 12-speaker Bose Premium system, or you can get a 6-speaker system as usual. For more than half of the panel, there are two 12.3-inch screens: one for the infotainment touchscreen and one for the gauges. While the displays take center stage, physical knobs for temperature and audio volume have been retained for convenience. There are USB-C ports for charging with a cord, and you can also get an extra wireless charging pad for two phones that can charge them both at the same time. The Santa Fe comes with standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also has a UV-C cleaning container in the glovebox that can be used to clean wallets, smartphones, and other small items. Range, Charging, and Battery Life It takes 6.3 seconds to test Invoice-pricing at 60 mph. Several of its competitors, like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander, do not perform as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe, even though it wasn’t built to go fast. Towing and Payload Capacity Without brakes, the Santa Fe can pull up to 1,650 pounds, but with them, it can pull up to 3,500 pounds. The XRT model, which can pull up to 4,500 pounds and has trailer brakes, is a choice for people who want to be able to pull more. Price and How to Choose Rates for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe could be anywhere from $36,295 to $48,845, based on the model and choices. The SEL stands out as the most well-balanced model in the lineup. For a slight increase over the base SE, it offers body-color folding side mirrors, roof rails, dual-zone climate control with third-row air vents, wireless charging, heated front seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver, and several other premium enhancements. All-wheel drive costs $1715 extra on all models except the XRT, which comes with it already installed.
