2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

 

Test Vehicle: 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD

Exterior Color: Shimmering Silver

Interior Color: Gray Nappa Leather

Options: NA

MSRP as tested: $51,985 (With Delivery/Destination)

 

Pros: Interior space/functionality, modern tech, standard third row, comfortable ride, hybrid

Cons: Limited cargo behind third row, complicated use of some infotainment functions

 

The Santa Fe launched for the 2001 model year as a five-passenger SUV, and 2024 marked the launch of its fifth generation with a bold new style. After such a significant overhaul, the Santa Fe carries over into 2026 with minimal changes. With a boxier design, a standard third row of seating, two powertrain options, and updated technology the Santa Fe offers a more premium offering for buyers. It is available with AWD or FWD in five trims known as SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy.  The standard powertrain across the lineup is a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder that delivers 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Also available is a hybrid powertrain with a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with an electric single motor integrated into the transmission that delivers 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft. of torque.

 

Pricing starts at $35,050 for the SE and climbs to $47,600 for Calligraphy. Also available is a hybrid model that starts at $36,400 for the SEL and climbs to $52,100 for the Calligraphy AWD model. Competition includes models such as the GMC Acadia, Kia Sorento, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Cherokee, and Mazda CX-90. I spent a week with a Hybrid AWD Calligraphy model and here's what stood out...

 

 

Exterior:

The new design is bold, very bold. In fact, it's like the kid who showed up to school after summer break that has grown up immensely and is unrecognizable. I was initially taken back by the design itself but have since come to appreciate the bold move and witnessed firsthand how many others are impressed.  Wherever I drove the  Santa Fe, I saw people turning heads or making positive comments as it was parked outside places like coffee shops. The overall verdict was that the drastic change is a glow up. Even my wife really likes the new Santa Fe much more than past generations and considered switching from the Telluride.  

 

The flat front end incorporates "H" design cues in the LED lighting and across the lower portion of the front fascia. It also has active air vents that open/close along with mixed materials and textures. The Hyundai emblem sits atop the hood rather than within the grille adding to subtlety of the branding. The side profile highly resembles that of a Land Rover Defender with its upright, boxy shape. Wide embellished fender flares surround wheels that range in size from 18 up to 21 inches. Each trim level has different wheel designs to further identify the models and include finishes in silver, black, brushed silver, gloss, and combinations. Another detail on the side includes a hidden grab handle behind the back door on the C-pillar if you need to step up to reach the roof.

 

Around back is where the design takes some getting used to for me. The rear of the vehicle's proportions feels off and almost droopy. In my opinion, I believe it's because the taillights are placed low (just above the bumper) leaving a lot of real estate between the hatch glass and the lights. Hyundai has filled that space with its emblem and SANTA FE spelled out across.  Again, the rear LED lights also light up with a digital looking H design. Reverse lights are at the bottom of the bumper on either side of the license plate placement which feels low and not visible to many high riding SUVs. While the back is my least favorite part of the design, I must commend Hyundai for its bold choices. It really started to grow on me and the compliments from strangers certainly altered my opinion as well.

 

 

Standard Powertrain:

Under the hood of the Santa Fe is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It's available with either front or all-wheel drive and pairs with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. While the Santa Fe has grown, the power output is about the same and will get it from 0-60 MPH in around 6.5 seconds, slightly slower than the previous generation. When pushed under heavy acceleration, the engine sounds coarse and seems to be working harder than it should. Power is sufficient on the highway when passing vehicles, but it's not as refined as some competitors. Overall road manners are composed and confident. The ride is comfortable on a long trip and around town. There is moderate body roll around sharp corners, but it remains planted to the pavement with a solid grip. Steering is relaxed with a focus on comfort and cruising, rather than being more direct and sportier. Even with the larger wheel/tire package it handled road imperfections well with a smooth ride.  Also available is a hybrid powertrain that offers slightly less power but will offer better fuel economy.

 

Hybrid Powertrain:

The hybrid powertrain comes with a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with an electric single motor integrated into the transmission that delivers 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft. of torque. The hybrid model pairs with a 6-speed automatic and is available with either front or all-wheel drive. Acceleration is average, getting from 0-60 MPH in around 9.8 seconds. It clearly focuses on efficiency and comfort over sportiness. It’s smooth and refined at low speeds, feeling more like  a traditional gas SUV. At highway speeds it starts to feel slightly underpowered in passing and less exciting to drive. 

 

The ride is soft and comfortable, absorbing road imperfections well. It’s great for long distance rides with a quiet interior and comfort in all three rows. It’s stable and well-grounded with minimal body roll, considering its shape. It feels secure around corners but is not necessarily an agile SUV. Steering is light and easy to use with decent feedback for a family SUV.  

 

Fuel Economy:

When it arrived with a full 17.7-gallon tank and a driving range of around 630 miles for FWD models or 600 miles for AWD models. EPA estimates are 37 / 36 / 36 MPG city/highway/combined on FWD hybrid models and after a week with a lot of highway driving, I averaged 34 MPG. It runs on regular grade fuel.

 

 

Interior:

Much like the exterior, the interior is also all-new, and the biggest change is the now standard third row thanks to a longer wheelbase. The design elements complement the exterior with its use of horizontal and vertical lines along with H-shaped touches applied to the instrument panel and air vents. Convenience features include a new UV-C sterilization compartment, dual wireless charging trays, panoramic curved display with two digital screens, and a multi-direction storage compartment lid. Eco-friendly materials are used throughout Santa Fe's interior for soft surfaces, such as the headliner, seatbacks, and various covering materials, such as the instrument panel, door trim and seats. Santa Fe is available in four interior colors, including Obsidian Black, Supersonic Gray, Pecan Brown, and Forest Green. The space feels open and airy thanks to large windows, an open sunroof, and an available fixed glass skylight over the rear seats.

 

Technology:

In addition to the dual wireless charging trays up front, Santa Fe also includes standard wireless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the functions are all there, the infotainment system was not as intuitive as I would have hoped. On multiple occasions I had to scroll through several menu options to find different functions. At one point I needed to turn to Google to try and figure out how to play the satellite radio while still using Apple CarPlay maps.  Separate climate controls reside in the center stack above a tray with twin wireless phone chargers. All the climate controls are touch screens. There is no haptic feedback so it can be confusing when trying to adjust. As a driver, you must look at the screen to make sure you touch the correct virtual button. There are dials for the temperature, but the overall use of the climate functions has me feeling mixed as it seems techier than needed.

 

The addition of a 27-watt USB-C port aids with fast device charging and there are USB ports at every seat, including the third row. These all came in especially handy as each of my kids plugged in their device for our trip. Back in the third row there was even a standard power outlet that my son could plug his Nintendo Switch into. Sound comes through a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. Also available is a digital center mirror that allowed me to see behind the vehicle despite the families' belongings stacked in the cargo area.

 

Available Over-The-Air updates can update vehicle systems with the latest available software by wirelessly updating key controllers without a Hyundai service center visit. Santa Fe also offers Digital Key 2 for vehicle access, startup, and remote control via the owners' smartphone. Moreover, Hyundai Pay, which enables paying for parking and fueling from inside the vehicle, is available.

 

 

Seating:

Accommodations inside are a big improvement and even start to encroach on the Palisade in terms of space. With the third-row standard, seating capacity is up to seven. Cloth upholstery and six-way manually adjustable front seats are standard.  Optional upgrades include synthetic leather, genuine leather, or premium Nappa leather upholstery. The Nappa leather in my test vehicle was very comfortable and resilient. It wiped clean easily and sustained the impact of a road trip with kids. Ventilated front seats are a big plus as are heated seats for Midwest winters.  The power-adjustable seats allowed both my wife and I to position ourselves with good visibility and optimal comfort.  Other features include power-folding second-row captain's chairs, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and an Eco-suede microfiber headliner. Head, shoulder, and leg room are all great in the first two rows. The third row is tighter for adults, but plenty sufficient for kids. My 10-year-old spent time in the third row and was happy as can be.  The seats are comfortable and supportive for long drives as well, the optional power adjusted lumbar support and driver's seat leg cushion add to the comfort for longer drives. Visibility throughout Santa Fe is impressive with large windows all around.

 

 

Cargo:

Cargo space is up from the previous generation with 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded flat and a max of 79.6 cubic feet with both rows down. All these numbers are approximately 4-5 cubic feet less than the Palisade. It's a big improvement for Santa Fe, but for a family like mine that uses the third row all the time... the Palisade still offers more space. A hands-free liftgate is standard, and Hyundai widened the rear opening to make loading and unloading cargo easier.

 

Safety:

Like many other models, Hyundai offers a long list of safety and driver assist features standard in the Santa Fe. Hyundai bundles these under its SmartSense safety suite, and it’s one of the strongest standard packages in the class. Standard on all models are:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind-spot collision avoidance warning
• Rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist
• Park distance waning- forward /  reverse
• Driver Attention Warning 
• Rear occupant alert
• Forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist and junction turning detection
• Lane keep assist
• Safe exit assist
• Lane follow assist

 

Other available features include blind-spot collision avoidance, parking collision avoidance-assist, park distance warning side, remote smart park assist, forward attention warning, and highway driving assist. I utilized the highway driving assist (advanced cruise control) during my time in the Santa Fe. When actively engaged it adjusts steering and speed to keep the driver centered in the lane and at a safe distance  behind the car ahead. It automatically assists in changing lanes under ideal conditions and adjusts the position / distance if someone changes lanes in front of you. It works exceptionally well and helps minimize fatigue for longer drives.

 

Final Statement

Despite initial skepticism about the exterior style (mostly the rear), I really enjoyed the Santa Fe and all the updates, and the hybrid powertrain makes it extra appealing. The exterior certainly grabs attention and gets people noticing, and most of the feedback was all positive. The expansive interior is functional, stylish, and comfortable. It offers a lot for the mid-size crossover class in a slightly smaller package compared to the Palisade.  The hybrid powertrain offers impressive driving range, making it perfect for those family vacations. It does what it is intended to do and provides buyers with a comfortable vehicle ideal for suburban families around town or taking road trips. If you haven't checked it out yet, give the new Santa Fe a second look!