Trims and Powertrains

The 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid’s four trim levels are the SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. Their 231-horsepower gas-electric powertrain unites a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a synchronous electric motor. A six-speed automatic transmission takes care of the gear changes. Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard, with HTRAC all-wheel drive (AWD) an option for every trim.

According to the EPA, the FWD Santa Fe Hybrid returns 37 mpg around town and 36 mpg on the open road. The ratings with AWD are adjusted to 35 city/34 highway. When the vehicle is properly equipped with trailer brakes, it is able to tow as much as 2,000 pounds. Although the dedicated cargo space measures 14.6 cubic feet, there’s a potential for 79.6 cubic feet if the second and third rows are unoccupied and folded flat.

Standard Equipment by Trim

The base SE gets a three-person bench seat in the middle row, allowing it to seat up to seven occupants. For comfort and convenience, there are two zones of automatic climate control with second-row HVAC vents, proximity keyless entry, LED exterior lighting with automatic headlamps push-button ignition, a hands-free liftgate, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, heated side-view mirrors, LED interior lighting, two-way power driver's seat lumbar controls, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, rear privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a tilt/telescopic column, four USB ports, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The SEL gets some improvements: Digital Key, heated front seats, H-Tex (simulated leather) upholstery, rooftop rails, a wireless device charge pad, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated side-view mirrors with built-in turn indicators (LED). The third row also gets its own USB port and HVAC vents.

The Limited makes strides toward luxury status with leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated middle-row captain’s chairs, which reduce total capacity to six – although the three-person bench may be opted back in. This trim also gets a larger wireless device charge pad that fits two devices, additional power lumbar controls for the driver's seat, a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, driver's-side memory, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a dual-pane sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, ambient interior lighting, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, power-folding side mirrors, a 110V outlet, rear side sunshades, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The plushest trim, the Calligraphy, is defined by luxurious Nappa leather upholstery, a massaging driver's seat, a microfiber headliner, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and upgraded ambient cabin lighting. Its exterior is distinguished by trim-specific accents and 20-inch wheels with a dark finish.

Sophisticated Safety Tech

As mentioned above, Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of driver-assist technologies is found on all four trims. It consists of adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance assist (with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection), blind-spot collision-avoidance warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Driver attention warning is also standard, as are rear occupant alert, safe exit assist, and parking sensors for both front and rear. The SE is the only trim that does not include forward attention warning.

The Limited and Calligraphy are further loaded with side parking sensors, Remote Smart Parking Assist, a blind-spot view monitor, a surround-view monitor, highway driving assist, and reverse parking collision-avoidance assist. Only the Calligraphy has blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and upgraded forward collision-avoidance assist with lane change side detection and evasive steering assist.

Staying Entertained and Connected

Each trim has a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as the focal point of its dash. The common components are Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and access to SiriusXM satellite radio and Hyundai’s Bluelink+ connected services. The Limited and Calligraphy add integrated navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The two lower trims get the base sound system, but the Limited and Calligraphy spoil their passengers with a Bose upgrade with a dozen speakers.