2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Some SUVs have more space, and some hybrids are a little more efficient, but the versatile Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is the perfect SUV for a wide range of families. It has the flexibility of standard 3-row seating, but is a little smaller and more affordable than some of its bigger rivals. Its combined fuel economy rating of up to 36 mpg means it can go over 600 miles on a full tank of gas, and its smooth ride and comfortable seats make it an excellent road tripper. We’re charmed by the Santa Fe Hybrid’s unique boxy aesthetic, and its tech features like the Panoramic Curved Display and Highway Driving Assist are some of our favorite systems of their kind. The cherry on top is its class-leading warranty coverage, enhancing the practicality and peace of mind that comes with the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid SUVs, including the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

The biggest change to the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is the introduction of the entry-level SE trim. Previously, SEL was the base model. This brings down the starting price of the Santa Fe Hybrid a bit, making it a little more accessible to a wider range of buyers.

Additionally, a new Pecan Brown Nappa interior option is available for the Calligraphy trim. The Limited trim now has standard second-row captain’s chairs with optional bench seating, plus standard dual wireless charging pads. Another small touch: The SEL trim now gets third-row USB ports.

Options are limited but growing in the world of 3-row SUVs with conventional hybrid powertrains. The Kia Sorento Hybrid is priced close to the Hyundai, while the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Grand Highlander Hybrid are pricier.

Before buying a Santa Fe Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid resale value is about average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is powered by a 231-horsepower turbocharged hybrid 4-cylinder engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). That’s less power than the bigger turbo engine in the non-hybrid Santa Fe, but we still found its performance adequate for daily family-hauling duties. The obvious trade-off with the hybrid is better fuel economy at the expense of slower acceleration.

A delightful smoothness characterizes the driving experience of the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. It’s a leisurely drive that’s pleasant for around-town errand-running and long hauls on the highway. It’s all accomplished without having to visit the gas station too often; this SUV’s hybrid efficiency allows it to drive over 600 miles on a full tank. For those times when you want a livelier experience, simply switch the drive mode to the sport setting.

Fuel Economy

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid earns an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of up to 36 city/35 highway/36 combined mpg with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive reduces that rating to 35 city/34 highway/34 combined mpg. These efficiency ratings are about the same as those of the Kia Sorento Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. For reference, the most efficient version of the non-hybrid Santa Fe gets 20 city/29 highway/24 combined mpg.

We’re big fans of the Santa Fe Hybrid’s features, roominess, practicality, and interior design. Hyundai offers a Panoramic Curved Display integrating the infotainment screen and digital gauge cluster in one seamless unit. We’ve found it works well, conveying all the necessary information without being overwhelming.

A twist-to-drive column shifter opens up the center console where a traditional gear lever would usually go. Now that space holds the wireless phone charging pad (dual wireless charging pads are in the Limited and Calligraphy trims). Materials are of impressive quality. With a nod to sustainability, the Santa Fe Hybrid comes with recycled plastic in the seatbacks, mats, and headliner. Fine Nappa leather seating surfaces are available. Our only gripe is that most climate functions, including fan speed, rely on touch-sensing technology rather than a physical control. At least it still has knobs for temperature control.

This generation of Santa Fe Hybrid comes with three rows of seating as standard. The more affordable trims have a second-row bench and seating for up to seven; the 6-seat setup has a pair of exceptionally comfortable captain’s chairs in the second row. These are standard in the Limited and Calligraphy trims.

Unsurprisingly, the larger Palisade SUV has more space for people and stuff, but the Santa Fe Hybrid still has plenty of legroom (41.5 and 30 inches in rows two and three, respectively). This is a pretty good third row, but still best reserved for children and occasional use. This SUV also has decent cargo space — 14.6 cubic feet behind the rear-most seats, opening out to a total of 79.6 cubic feet. Impressively, cargo space and third-row legroom are identical between the hybrid and non-hybrid versions of the Santa Fe.

Those second and third rows fold nearly flat, while the huge tailgate complements an equally sizable aperture leading into what Hyundai calls a “terrace-like” space inside. The result (and intention, according to Hyundai’s designers) is a place where owners can tailgate or even sleep.

The boxy Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has a rugged yet modern look, and the “H” motif in the LED lighting is a Santa Fe hallmark. Its sharp angles, straight lines, and floating roof design give the illusion that it’s bigger than it is. Unfortunately, the rugged-looking XRT trim is exclusive to the non-hybrid Santa Fe; you can’t get that cool appearance package with the hybrid.

We’d understand if you might be confused by Hyundai offering three different models in the midsize 3-row SUV class. In addition to the Santa Fe and its hybrid counterpart, there’s the bigger Hyundai Palisade, which is also available with a gas or hybrid powertrain, and the more upscale Hyundai Ioniq 9, which is all-electric. We bring them up to clarify that the Santa Fe is the smallest and most affordable 3-row option in the Hyundai lineup.

Powered tailgate
If there’s one feature we always (and we mean always) appreciate in an SUV, it’s this. Even better, this one has hands-free operation and adjustable height settings. Better still — it’s standard across the lineup.

Built-in grab handle
Hyundai really meant it when it said the Santa Fe Hybrid was designed to be an activity vehicle, one where you might put stuff on the roof. To help you get up there is an ingenious hidden grab handle in the C-pillar above the rear wheel. It’s flush until it’s pressed, and it’s even lockable.

Dual wireless charging pads
There’s no need to fight the passenger to juice up with this thoughtful feature, standard in the Limited and Calligraphy trims. All other models get a single wireless charging pad.

Bi-directional center console
The Santa Fe Hybrid features a dual-level center console, the top of which flips up from the front or back for easy access from either of the first two rows. We think this is a brilliant idea.

Highway Driving Assist
Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist is one of our favorite and most natural-feeling systems of its kind. Keep a light hand on the wheel, and the car will automatically keep a safe distance from the car in front of you while keeping you centered in your lane.

Panoramic Curved Display
The Santa Fe Hybrid is available with one huge screen housing the central infotainment screen and a digital gauge cluster. This customizable setup shows you just about any information you want to see, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard.

Hyundai Pay
We’re always happy to see technology like this. It allows users to pay for things like parking and gas directly from the touchscreen while safe inside the vehicle. For example, there’s no need to swipe a credit card at a sketchy gas station and risk getting the number skimmed. It comes in the Limited and Calligraphy trims.

A 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid 4-cylinder engine powers the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Its combined output is 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. It’s not as quick as the non-hybrid, but still adequate for daily driving duties. Output is routed to the front or all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Its tow rating is limited to 2,000 pounds.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

The Santa Fe Hybrid enjoys class-leading warranty coverage. Hyundai’s excellent coverage includes a 5-year/60,000-mile (whichever happens first) basic warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.

Safety Ratings

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid boasts excellent safety ratings, which is what you want in a family vehicle. It’s the recipient of the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning the top “Good” score in almost every category of its testing. Meanwhile, it gets a 4-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance.