Picture a Saturday morning in Dublin: bikes loaded, kids buckled in, the whole crew heading toward the Scioto River trails for a few hours before swinging by the farmers market in Historic Dublin on the way home. That kind of day — active, spontaneous, and logistically demanding — is exactly what the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe was built for.

The Santa Fe occupies a thoughtful middle ground in Hyundai's lineup, sitting between the more compact Tucson and the larger Palisade. It brings three-row capability in a package that still fits comfortably in a suburban garage, handles Dublin's gently rolling, tree-lined streets with ease, and delivers enough cargo flexibility to haul everything from golf bags to festival chairs.

For dual-income families balancing school runs within Dublin City Schools, weekday commutes to corporate campuses, and weekend outings to Scioto River parks or the annual Dublin Irish Festival, the Santa Fe checks nearly every box. It seats up to seven passengers on SE, SEL, and XRT trims, offers up to about 15 cu ft of cargo space, and returns fuel economy figures that keep weekly fill-ups manageable. Add in a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features and Hyundai's industry-leading warranty, and it becomes clear why this SUV resonates so strongly with families who want capability without compromise.

Cars.com recognized the Santa Fe with its Best Family Car of 2026 award — a distinction that speaks directly to what Dublin buyers are looking for in a daily driver and weekend adventure vehicle.

Every trim in the 2026 Santa Fe lineup — SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy — draws power from the same 2.5L Smartstream turbocharged 4-cylinder engine , producing 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. That torque figure is particularly meaningful for a family SUV: it delivers confident acceleration from a stop, smooth merging on highway on-ramps, and composed pulling power when towing.

The transmission pairing differs subtly by trim. The SE and SEL use an 8-speed torque-converter automatic, which prioritizes smooth, predictable shifts well-suited to school runs and suburban commuting. The Calligraphy pairs its engine with an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which offers quicker response in sport driving scenarios.

Where the lineup diverges most meaningfully is drivetrain. The SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy all come standard with front-wheel drive. The XRT is the standout: it comes standard with Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel drive system and adds terrain-specific drive modes — Normal, Sport, My Drive, Snow, Mud, and Sand — making it the trim of choice for buyers who want genuine off-pavement capability. The XRT also carries a higher towing rating of 4,500 lbs compared to 3,500 lbs on all other trims, and its ground clearance of 8.3 inches gives it added confidence on uneven terrain.

Fuel economy varies between the front-wheel-drive and AWD configurations. The SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy return 20 city / 29 hwy / 24 combined MPG. The XRT, with its standard AWD system and all-terrain tires, delivers 19 city / 25 hwy / 21 combined MPG — a reasonable trade-off for buyers who want genuine all-weather and light off-road capability.

All trims include Trailer Sway Control as standard equipment, which automatically applies individual wheel braking to counteract trailer oscillation — a practical feature for anyone towing a small boat, utility trailer, or cargo hauler. For buyers who want to add a hitch to a non-XRT trim, the Tow and Go Package is available as an add-on for current pricing, bundling the tow hitch receiver and ball mount kit together.

Climate comfort is addressed thoughtfully across the lineup. The Calligraphy and Limited include dual-zone automatic climate control with air vents extending to the second and third rows. The SEL also includes dual-zone automatic climate control with third-row vents. The Calligraphy adds rear side window sunshades and interior ambient lighting for a more refined cabin feel.

A particularly clever feature on the Calligraphy is the bi-directional center console , which opens from both the front and second rows — handy when rear passengers want access to storage without leaning forward. The UV-C sanitizer glove box , also standard on the Calligraphy, adds a genuinely useful hygiene feature for families with kids. Across all trims, about 15 cu ft of cargo space sits behind the third row — enough for a full load of farmers market bags, a set of golf clubs, or a weekend's worth of camping gear.

A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display is standard on the SEL and Calligraphy, while the SE uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen as well. All trims include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto , so there's no fumbling with cables during the morning school run. Bluelink+ connected car services come standard on the Limited and SEL at no monthly charge, keeping remote vehicle management accessible without a subscription burden.

Every 2026 Santa Fe trim ships with a meaningful foundation of driver assistance technology. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection is standard across all five trims — a system that monitors the road ahead and can apply emergency braking if the driver doesn't respond in time. Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and High Beam Assist round out the core suite available on SE and above.

The Calligraphy and Limited add a significant layer of premium safety hardware. These trims include the Surround View Monitor (a 360-degree camera system), the Blind-Spot View Monitor (which displays a live camera feed in the instrument cluster when a turn signal is activated), and Remote Smart Parking Assist — a system that can maneuver the vehicle into and out of tight parking spaces via the key fob, without the driver inside.

The Calligraphy uniquely adds Highway Driving Assist 2 , which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and can even initiate lane changes on the highway when prompted. The Calligraphy also includes a Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control that reads upcoming curves and adjusts speed proactively, and an Advanced Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert that uses overhead sensors to detect movement in the rear seat after the vehicle is parked — a critical safety feature for families with young children.

Structural protection is comprehensive across the lineup. The Calligraphy and SEL include a 10-airbag system, while the SE carries a 9-airbag system covering advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensors, and a driver's knee airbag. Anti-lock brakes with 4-wheel disc rotors, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire indicators are all standard.

The 2026 Santa Fe lineup is structured to give buyers genuine options at each price point, rather than forcing a choice between bare-bones and fully loaded. The SE starts at $35,050 and delivers a strong foundation: the 277 hp turbocharged engine, 7-passenger seating, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration, hands-free smart liftgate, and a comprehensive safety suite. The SEL at $37,590 adds H-Tex leatherette seating, an 8-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a wireless charging pad.

The XRT at $42,040 is the performance and capability outlier — standard AWD, all-terrain tires, terrain drive modes, a higher 4,500 lb towing rating, and distinctive black exterior styling make it the trim for buyers who genuinely use their SUV off the beaten path. The Limited at $44,600 pivots back toward luxury, adding genuine leather seating, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The flagship Calligraphy at $47,600 brings quilted Nappa leather, a 12-inch HUD, Highway Driving Assist 2, a digital rearview mirror, and the full suite of premium driver assistance technology.

At Great Lakes Hyundai of Dublin, the savings are SO good — and with over 1,000 vehicles available, finding the right trim at the right price is straightforward. Shoppers who already have a vehicle can get a cash offer on their trade-in in minutes through our Edmunds partnership, even if you're not purchasing a new vehicle. Those considering a pre-owned Santa Fe can browse our current pre-owned inventory to see what's available right now.

The 2026 Santa Fe has earned recognition from multiple respected automotive authorities. Cars.com named it Best Family Car of 2026 , while Kelley Blue Book included it on its Best Family Cars List for 2026. The Drive awarded it Best Hybrid of 2026. Internationally, What Car? (UK) named it Best Seven-Seat SUV of the Year — 2026 , Drive (Australia) recognized it as Best Seven-Seat SUV Under $60K — 2026 , and CarsGuide (Australia) awarded it the CarsGuide Car of the Year — Overall Winner — 2026. CarExpert (Australia) added a Best Affordable Large SUV — 2026 citation.

Top Gear described the Santa Fe as a vehicle that "backs up its bold styling with well-crafted utility," while AutoWeb called it "a compelling luxury vehicle" that is also "a functional yet not too bulky family ride." These aren't narrow accolades — they reflect consistent praise across multiple markets and buyer segments.

Fuel economy and range by trim

How many passengers does the 2026 Santa Fe seat, and which trims offer three rows?

All five trims include three rows of seating. The SE, SEL, and XRT seat 7 passengers, with the second row configured as a bench. The Calligraphy and Limited seat 6 passengers, replacing the second-row bench with captain's chairs that provide more comfort and easier third-row access.

Does the XRT come with all-wheel drive standard?

Yes. The XRT is the only trim in the 2026 Santa Fe lineup that includes standard all-wheel drive (Hyundai's HTRAC system). All other trims — SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy — come standard with front-wheel drive.

What is the towing capacity of the 2026 Santa Fe?

The SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy are rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs. The XRT, with its standard AWD system, is rated at 4,500 lbs. Buyers on non-XRT trims who want towing hardware can add the optional Tow and Go Package for $610, which includes the tow hitch receiver and ball mount kit.

What fuel economy does the 2026 Santa Fe get?

Front-wheel-drive trims (SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy) return 20 city / 29 hwy / 24 combined MPG. The AWD-equipped XRT returns 19 city / 25 hwy / 21 combined MPG. Fuel type is regular unleaded across all trims.

Which safety features come standard on the base SE trim?

The SE includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection; Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go; Lane Keeping Assist; Lane Following Assist; Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist; Blind-Spot Collision Warning; Driver Attention Warning; Safe Exit Assist; High Beam Assist; a rear view camera; and a 9-airbag system. It's a genuinely robust safety package at the entry level.

How do I get started shopping for a 2026 Santa Fe at Great Lakes Hyundai of Dublin?

The easiest starting point is browsing our available 2026 Santa Fe inventory online to see current trim availability. When you're ready to move forward, you can submit a credit application online to get the process started before you arrive. Our team at 2441 Billingsley Rd, Columbus, OH 43235 is also happy to answer questions by phone at (614) 782-1029 — give us a call and we'll help you find the right trim for your family's needs.