Text by Tom Appel
Text by Tom Appel2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Country of manufacture: U.S.
Seating capacity: 6
Color: Shimmering Silver
Miles driven: 141
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B- |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 231-horsepower 1.6-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged, hybrid four |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Observed fuel economy: 35.4 mpg
Driving mix: 35% city, 65% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 35/34/34 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $50,250 (not including $1495 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Floor mats ($240)
Price as tested: $51,985
Audio-System Brand
Bose
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy, comfortable, luxury-level cabin appointments
The good: Excellent fuel economy, smart control layout
The not so good: No longer a bargain
Review
When Hyundai redesigned the Santa Fe for 2024, it raised the price of its popular midsize crossover more than $5000, a bold give given the competitive nature of the midsize crossover segment.
Santa Fe Popularity
Santa Fe sales fell in 2024, though much of that decline can be attributed to supply issues related to the redesign. Sales recovered almost fully to 2023 levels in 2025, suggesting that despite the price hike, consumers saw value in Hyundai’s stylish family hauler.
Sales in 2024 were also hampered somewhat by a shortage of hybrid examples of the Santa Fe, with consumers clamoring for the more-efficient powertrain option.
Changes for 2026
Changes to the crossover for 2026 include replacing the complaint-prone dual-clutch automatic found in non-hybrid examples with a conventional 8-speed unit. Also, Hyundai has focused for 2026 on top Santa Fe trim levels, upping equipment and content levels. The trim-level topping Calligraphy, for example, gets a new Pecan Brown nappa leather interior option.
Prices and Trim Levels
For 2026, the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup looks like this:
- SE ($36,650)
- SE Hybrid ($38,000)
- SEL ($39,190)
- SEL Hybrid ($40,290)
- XRT ($43,640)
- Limited ($46,200)
- Limited Hybrid ($47,300)
- Calligraphy ($49,200)
- Calligraphy Hybrid ($50,300)
Cheaper Hybrid
The SE Hybrid is new for 2026, giving value shoppers a new, lower-price hybrid option. Unlike other Santa Fe trim levels, the off-road oriented XRT comes with standard AWD, and is not offered with the hybrid powertrain.
Room for 6 or 7
All 2026 Santa Fe trim levels feature 3rd-row seating. Models equipped with 2rd-row captains chairs seat up to 6 passengers, while those fitted with a bench seat will haul up to 7 folks.
Consider the Palisade
Shoppers looking for more cabin space are well advised to also test drive Hyundai’s excellent Palisade crossover, which is meaningfully longer overall than the Santa Fe, and boasts up to 2 inches of addition 3rd-row knee- and legroom. And, for 2026, the Palisade is also offered with a hybrid powertrain setup. You can read our review of the newly redesigned Palisade here.
Engines
Non-hybrid Santa Fe models are powered by a 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine mated to the aforementioned 8-speed automatic. Hybrids are equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter turbocharged engine mated to a single electric motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Total system output for the hybrid setup is 231 horsepower.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy with AWD in Shimmering Silver. All told, including destination charge, or test car came to $51,985.
Luxury Appointments
As is the way Hyundai these days, the Santa Fe cabin is full-on luxury, especially in top-tier Calligraphy trim. We appreciate the simple and modern design, and can’t help but be impressed by the quality surface materials and apparent assembly quality.
Controls
The single-pane touch screen integrates the center console with the instrument panel to good effect. And we found infotainment operation generally simple and easy to learn. Plus, touchscreen inputs were responded to promptly, and the screen was easy to read, even in bright light.
Room and comfort
The Santa Fe’s boxy shape may be polarizing from a design standpoint, but pays off in spades in the cabin. There’s ample space for 4 full-size adults, plus 3rd-row space for wee riders. Entering and exiting the Santa Fe is easy enough, thanks to large door openings and a relatively low step-in height.
Ride and Handling
Comfort is enhanced mightily by the Santa Fe’s impressive ride quality and overall quietness. Indeed, Hyundai’s midsize crossover handles road imperfections with the sophistication of a German luxury sedan, though it doesn’t quite handle with the same sporty character.
Power and Performance
As for the hybrid drivetrain, we were mostly impressed. Though down almost 40 horsepower versus the non-hybrid setup, our test vehicle pulled strongly and immediately away from stop lights, and always seemed ready for and required passing and merging. Though not actually quick, the Santa Fe Hybrids prompt throttle response gives the vehicle an almost sporty character. As an added bonus, the engine stop/start system operates especially smoothly.
Fuel Economy
Our observed fuel economy was likewise impressive. We observed 35.4 mpg during a week of mostly routine driving. This is a significant improvement over the 21.7 mg we saw during our evaluation of a 2024 Santa Fe with the non-hybrid drivetrain.
Conventional or Hybrid Drivetrain?
That said, with gas prices at historic highs, purchasing a Santa Fe Hybrid may require some patience—as supplies may be strained—as well as an elevated asking price. We recommend breaking out the calculator when it comes time to make a deal on your new crossover. If Hyundai stores are making better offers on non-hybrid Santa Fe models, it might make sense to go with a conventionally powered example.
Value
All things being equal, we suggest you put the Santa Fe near the top of your midsize crossover test-drive list—regardless of the drivetrain. While Hyundai’s smaller midsize offering is no longer a bargain, it is reasonably priced, and it is frankly excellent by most measures. And if you find the cabin appointments a little too nice, feel free to step down a trim level or two, and save some money on the purchase price.
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2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy Pictures
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