New & Used 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale nearCarlsbad, CA

Compare 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to feature-rich models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $31,203
• Best MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Most Popular: SEL AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

SE FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $31,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 484 listings
• View SE FWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with a good mix of features at a competitive price.

• Avg. market price: $31,203 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 1,751 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without a significant price increase, making it the most popular trim.

• Avg. market price: $32,362 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 2,555 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SEL AWD listings

XRT AWD — "Who It's For"

The XRT AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a rugged SUV with off-road capabilities and additional features for adventure.

• Avg. market price: $37,942 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 600 listings
• View XRT AWD listings

Limited FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited FWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features without the added cost of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $38,390 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 490 listings
• View Limited FWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with all-wheel drive and premium features.

• Avg. market price: $41,639 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 732 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Calligraphy FWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a premium SUV experience with top-tier features and style.

• Avg. market price: $42,216 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 515 listings
• View Calligraphy FWD listings

Calligraphy AWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate luxury SUV with all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $41,950 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 903 listings
• View Calligraphy AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SEL AWD

With 2,555 active listings, the SEL AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SEL AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SEL FWD

At $31,203 avg market price — below the lineup median of $38,166 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SEL FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — SE FWD

The SE FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 20 city / 29 hwy MPG.

Browse SE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a 7.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Form follows function here: you’re looking at a midsize, three-row SUV that sits at the smaller end of the segment, but its boxy shape and thoughtfully crafted interior help make the case that bigger isn’t always better. For shoppers, the appeal is straightforward: it’s positioned as a brilliant, family-friendly crossover SUV with ample storage cubbies and compartments, great safety ratings, and excellent value.

The trade-offs are just as clear. The design is polarizing, fuel economy is poor, and the third row is cramped. If you want a practical family hauler with strong tech and safety, it fits the brief well; if efficiency or third-row space matters most, you’ll want to weigh those compromises carefully.

Good and great deals account for 34.6% of listings, which gives you a decent amount of market flexibility.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is presented as a well-built, easy-to-live-with SUV with a strong warranty and roadside assistance coverage, which supports its long-term ownership appeal. Its standard turbocharged engine is described as smooth and effortless in everyday driving, and the new traditional automatic transmission is a welcome change because it delivers a smoother overall driving experience than the previous dual-clutch setup.

Hyundai also includes complimentary lifetime Bluelink+ connected services for original owners, which adds useful ownership convenience. That package includes safety-related alerts, emergency assistance, and remote functions that can make day-to-day use easier.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the least-efficient versions can be more expensive to live with over time, especially if you don’t need the XRT’s extra capability.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, interior wear, and whether the features you care about are present on the exact trim you’re shopping.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup runs from SE to Calligraphy, and the XRT adds a more rugged look, standard all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, and a raised suspension. Base trims are the ones most likely to leave you without the fancier display setup and higher-end cabin touches, so check equipment carefully if you want the richer interior experience.
• Powertrain: You get a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The 2026 model uses a traditional eight-speed automatic, which is smoother than the previous dual-clutch transmission, and the XRT trades efficiency for off-road capability.
• Safety package: Hyundai includes a long list of standard safety features, plus junction turning detection, front and rear parking sensors, and safe-exit assist. Higher trims add Highway Driving Assist, while the driver-attention monitor helps supervise that system.
• Infotainment: Most trims use a dual-screen setup with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and SE, SEL, and XRT models get digital gauges with a 4.2-inch center panel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with Bluelink+ connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: The XRT is rated at 21 mpg combined, while other AWD models are rated at 23 mpg combined.

Which 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe trim should I buy?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is offered in 5 trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the Santa Fe’s core space, safety, and tech without paying for extras you may not need.
• SEL: This is the trim to watch if you want a better balance of equipment and value, since it should give you more everyday comfort and convenience without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• XRT: This is the one for you if you want the rugged look and off-road-focused hardware, including standard AWD, all-terrain tires, and the lifted suspension. It’s also the least-efficient version, so it makes the most sense only if you’ll actually use that capability.
• Limited: This is the step-up choice if you want the fancier display setup and more premium-feeling equipment without going all the way to the top.
• Calligraphy: Choose this if you want the most upscale Santa Fe experience and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but higher trims add Highway Driving Assist, so check whether the trim you’re considering includes the driver-assistance setup you want.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you have enough inventory and deal activity to shop selectively without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,589 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.7% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star individual scores for frontal and side crashworthiness and four-star rollover resistance. It also earns a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Hyundai equips the Santa Fe with a long list of standard safety features, including junction turning detection, front and rear parking sensors, and safe-exit assist. On higher trims, standard adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist operate as Highway Driving Assist, and a driver-attention monitor helps keep tabs on the driver while that system is active.

One caveat is that navigation-based speed and curve control can slow the SUV too much, which makes it less natural in traffic than you’d want.

Should I buy a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It adds a new transmission, more safety features, and minor equipment updates.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It emphasizes bold styling and a longer wheelbase with more interior space.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2026 if you want the latest updates, strong safety, and a broad used-market selection. If you’re mainly shopping on price and want the same basic Santa Fe formula, the 2025 is worth a look as a potentially cheaper alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.