The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe gets 21 to 36 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD at 36 mpg; the best regular gas version is the 2026 Santa Fe FWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) at 24 mpg.
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Santa Fe ranks 13th (tied with 1 other) of 66 for combined mileage (34 mpg), 11th (tied with 1 other) of 66 for yearly fuel cost ($1,850 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 17th of 66 for tailpipe CO2 (258 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 27 mpg, costs $2,500 a year and puts out 329 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 24 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Santa Fe's best version, 4 other models get the same and 206 get less. The 2026 Santa Fe's cheapest version costs $1,750 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 23 cost less, 3 the same and 199 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2026 Lexus RX | 2026 RX 350h AWD | 36 | $2,150 | 244 |
| 9 | 2026 Subaru Crosstrek | 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | 36 | $1,750 | 246 |
| 12 | 2026 Subaru Forester | 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD | 35 | $1,800 | 255 |
| 13 | 2026 Hyundai Santa FeThis car | 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD | 34 | $1,850 | 258 |
| 13 | 2026 Kia Sorento | 2026 Sorento Hybrid AWD | 34 | $1,850 | 110 |
| 15 | 2026 Lincoln Corsair | 2026 Corsair AWD PHEV | 33 | $2,600 | 122 |
| 16 | 2026 Nissan Rogue | 2026 Rogue AWD | 31 | $2,000 | 291 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Santa Fe FWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L: 20 mpg city, 29 highway, 24 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Santa Fe version is $2,600 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Sorento costs $878 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Sorento costs $4,390 less to fuel than the Santa Fe (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Santa Fe (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Santa Fe | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Sorento | 2026 Sorento Hybrid AWD | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 2 lower | $100 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Lincoln Corsair | 2026 Corsair AWD PHEV | 33 mpg | - | 3 lower | - | - |
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 2026 Forester Hybrid AWD | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 1 lower | $50 more a year | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWDHybrid | 4-cyl 1.6 L | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-wheel | 37 | 36 | 36 | $1,750 | 244 | cheapest |
| 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid AWDHybrid | 4-cyl 1.6 L | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-wheel | 35 | 34 | 34 | $1,850 | 258 | +$100 |
| 2026 Santa Fe FWD | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (S8) | Front-wheel | 20 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 374 | +$850 |
| 2026 Santa Fe AWD | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,700 | 389 | +$950 |
| 2026 Santa Fe AWD XRT | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 19 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 | 421 | +$1,200 |
The cheapest-to-run hybrid, the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD (36 mpg, $1,750 a year), costs $850 a year less in fuel than the cheapest-to-run gas version, the 2026 Santa Fe FWD (24 mpg, $2,600 a year).
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Santa Fe; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD puts out 244 grams per mile; across the 5 tested versions the figure runs from 244 to 421.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD: fuel economy score 7 (4 to 7 across versions), greenhouse gas score 7 (4 to 7 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Santa Fe gas version and hybrid each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 23 mpg | none | 9 | 13 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2017 | 24 mpg | none | 10 | 12 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2018 | 24 mpg | none | 10 | 12 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2019 | 25 mpg | none | 8 | 11 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2020 | 25 mpg | none | 4 | 11 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2021 | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 6 | 2 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2022 | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 7 | 2 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2023 | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 7 | 2 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2024 | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 5 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 5 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 5 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 5 versions were tested then and 5 now; the best figure went from 36 to 36 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD, 4-cyl 1.6 L | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD, 4-cyl 1.6 L | 34 mpg | 34 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Santa Fe FWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 24 mpg | no like-for-like version in 2025 | no match |
| 2026 Santa Fe AWD, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 23 mpg | no like-for-like version in 2025 | no match |
| 2026 Santa Fe AWD XRT, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 21 mpg | no like-for-like version in 2025 | no match |
3 2025 versions have no match in 2026.
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV N/A AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID SUV HEV AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 39 complaints, 4 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: SANTA FE, SANTA FE HYBRID.
60 complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 14 | |
| Electrical System | 11 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 10 | |
| Engine | 7 | |
| Seats | 6 |
0 of the 60 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 4 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: SANTA FE, SANTA FE HYBRID.
4 recalls are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: SANTA FE, SANTA FE HYBRID.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles.
Fix: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Santa Fe itself is at 34 mpg.
More Hyundai models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD with 36 mpg combined (37 city, 36 highway). Among the regular gas versions it is the 2026 Santa Fe FWD at 24 mpg.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe costs between $1,750 and $2,950 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD at $1,750; the dearest is the 2026 Santa Fe AWD XRT at $2,950. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
2026 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD: 34 mpg combined (35 city, 34 highway); 2026 Santa Fe AWD: 23 mpg combined (20 city, 28 highway); 2026 Santa Fe AWD XRT: 21 mpg combined (19 city, 25 highway).
In the agency's tests the best hybrid, the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD, gets 36 mpg combined and the best non-hybrid, the 2026 Santa Fe FWD, gets 24 mpg: 12 mpg more for the hybrid.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is 13th of 66 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 42 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 27 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Subaru Forester at 35 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Kia Sorento at 34 mpg.
The 2025 model had 5 tested versions and the 2026 model has 5. The best figure went from 36 to 36 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV N/A AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID SUV HEV AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.
60 complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Unknown Or Other (14 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 4 recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.