The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Redefines Family Adventure

• The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers turbocharged power with 277 horsepower and a new eight-speed automatic transmission for smooth performance.
• Interior highlights of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe include quilted Nappa leather and flexible seating for up to seven passengers.
• Pricing of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe starts around $35,000 with Hyundai’s industry-leading powertrain warranty.

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The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe continues to turn heads with its distinctive boxy design and premium features that belie its accessible price point. With its angular wheel arches, H-shaped lighting signature, and squared-off silhouette, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe stands apart from the sea of rounded crossovers on today’s roads. For 2026, Hyundai has made significant improvements, including a new transmission that enhances the driving experience and additional features across the lineup that elevate this already impressive vehicle to new heights.

2026 Vehicle Overview

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe model year brings several noteworthy updates. Most significantly, Hyundai has replaced the problematic eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with a conventional eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, on all gas-powered models. Additional updates include new equipment on the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, with the Limited now featuring standard second-row captain’s chairs and dual wireless charging pads. The 2026 Santa Fe is available in both gas-only and hybrid configurations, offering buyers flexibility based on their priorities for power versus fuel efficiency.

Performance

Under the hood of every gas-powered 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe sits a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine that produces 277 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque at 1,700 rpm. The new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission represents a major improvement over the previous dual-clutch unit. The transmission delivers smooth and prompt shifts across 800 miles of testing, eliminating the juddering and clunking that plagued earlier models. The 2026 Santa Fe suspension employs struts up front and a multilink setup in the rear. It’s tuned to prioritize ride comfort over sharp handling dynamics. Towing capacity varies by configuration and equipment. Standard models can pull up to 3,500 pounds when equipped with trailer brakes, or 1,650 pounds without. The adventure-oriented XRT trim raises the maximum towing capacity to 4,500 pounds with trailer brakes. All models include trailer sway control and pre-wiring for trailer connections as standard equipment.

MPG

Fuel economy figures for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vary based on drivetrain configuration and trim level. Front-wheel-drive gas models achieve EPA-estimated ratings of 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, translating to 24 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive slightly reduces highway efficiency to 28 mpg while maintaining the 20 mpg city rating, resulting in 23 mpg combined. The rugged XRT trim, with its taller ride height and all-terrain tires, returns 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for a combined rating of 21 mpg.

The hybrid powertrain delivers substantially better fuel economy across the board. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid achieves 37 mpg city and 36 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, maintaining 36 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive hybrid models see slight decreases to 35 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, with a combined rating of 34 mpg.

Top Speeds

During testing, a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD reached 100 mph in 16.1 seconds and 130 mph in 35.5 seconds. For buyers seeking maximum speed, the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid configuration can sprint from zero to 60 mph in approximately 7.8 seconds. In real-world testing, the gas-powered powertrain enables the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.

Interior

The cabin of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe represents one of its strongest attributes, combining thoughtful design with quality materials and abundant technology. Material quality escalates as you move up the trim ladder. The base SE model features cloth upholstery with a fabric headliner. SEL and XRT trims upgrade to synthetic leather seating surfaces, while the Limited receives genuine leather upholstery with heated front seats. The range-topping Calligraphy boasts quilted Nappa leather seating, with a new Pecan Brown option joining the lineup for 2026. Seating configurations vary by trim and buyer preference. Standard models accommodate seven passengers across three rows with bench seating throughout. For 2026, the Limited trim now comes standard with second-row captain’s chairs, reducing capacity to six passengers but creating a more luxurious middle-row experience with easier third-row access.  

Climate control receives thoughtful attention, with dual automatic climate control standard on SEL and higher trims. Cargo capacity proves generous and flexible. Behind the third row, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers 14.6 cubic space. Folding the third row expands capacity to 40.5 cubic feet, accommodating strollers, camping gear, or luggage for a family vacation. With both rear rows folded, maximum cargo volume reaches 79.6 cubic feet, rivaling many larger SUVs.

Technology

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe comes equipped with an impressive array of technology features that enhance convenience, connectivity, and entertainment. A curved panoramic display dominates the dashboard, merging a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen in a seamless, modern presentation. This dual-screen setup provides excellent visibility for both driver information and infotainment functions while maintaining an uncluttered appearance. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across all trims. Multiple USB-C ports are distributed throughout the cabin, including high-power charging ports. The Calligraphy trim adds a 12-inch head-up display that projects critical driving information, including speed, navigation directions, and safety alerts, directly onto the windshield in the driver’s line of sight. Audio quality varies by trim. Base models include a six-speaker audio system, while the Calligraphy tops the lineup with a premium Bose sound system featuring 12 speakers.

Safety

Safety represents a paramount consideration in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, which comes standard with Hyundai SmartSense. This comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies is designed to prevent accidents and protect occupants. Every 2026 Santa Fe includes forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure steering assist, lane-centering steering, front and rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a drive-monitoring system. The forward collision-avoidance system represents a significant upgrade for 2026. This system can detect vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists in the vehicle’s path and automatically apply the brakes if the driver fails to respond to warnings.

Price of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe starts around $35,000 for the base SE trim with front-wheel drive. This entry price point provides access to three-row seating, the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, comprehensive safety features, and the dual 12.3-inch display setup. It represents exceptional value in the midsize SUV segment. You can expect the top ranging 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy trim to cost around $48,000.

Price by Trim

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup consists of five distinct trim levels, each building upon the previous one with additional features and capabilities. Below prices are estimates only. We highly recommend that you visit your local Hyundai dealer in person to ensure 100% accurate pricing.

SE: $35,050

SEL: $37,590

XRT: $42,040

Limited: $44,600

Calligraphy: $47,600

Hyundai Warranty

The 2026 Santa Fe comes protected by Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty package, often marketed as “America’s Best Warranty.” The centerpiece is a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain components for the original owner. The powertrain warranty specifically covers internal engine components. A five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty covers virtually all other components manufactured or installed by Hyundai. A seven-year/unlimited-mileage anti-perforation warranty protects against rust-through corrosion on body panels, demonstrating Hyundai’s confidence in its corrosion protection processes. Five years of unlimited-mileage roadside assistance provides towing, battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, lockout service, and other emergency services.

Test Drive a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe at Tulsa Hyundai

Specifications and reviews can only tell you so much about a vehicle. To truly understand whether the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the right choice for your family, you need to experience it firsthand. Tulsa Hyundai invites you to schedule a test drive and discover what makes this bold midsize SUV such a compelling option in today’s competitive market. Visit Tulsa Hyundai today to explore our Santa Fe inventory, which includes a variety of trims, colors, and configurations ready for immediate delivery.

If you’d like to experience the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe for yourself, then Tulsa Hyundai has your back! If you’re not interested in the Santa Fe, then check out our plethora of other Hyundai vehicles. We carry the Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6. We have an extensive certified pre-owned inventory where we’ll help you find something you enjoy.

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