New & Used 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims in Chicago, IL

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, catering to various needs and preferences.

• Starting at $29,779
• 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: $35,442 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SE FWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $35,442 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 21 listings
• View SE AWD listings

SEL FWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of luxury and affordability without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $29,779 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 21 listings
• View SEL FWD listings

SEL AWD — "Who It's For"

The SEL AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with popular features and all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $31,283 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 133 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 an adventurous SUV with off-road capabilities.

• Avg. market price: $35,442 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 20 listings
• View XRT AWD listings

Limited FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious experience without the AWD price tag.

• Avg. market price: $35,442 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited FWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

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

• Avg. market price: $39,171 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 41 listings
• View Limited AWD listings

Calligraphy AWD — "Who It's For"

The Calligraphy AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate luxury SUV experience with advanced technology.

• Avg. market price: $39,186 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 28 hwy
• Inventory: 44 listings
• View Calligraphy AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — SEL AWD

With 133 active listings, the SEL AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse SEL AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SEL FWD

At $29,779 avg market price — below the lineup median of $35,442 — 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 20/29 MPG.

Browse SE FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a 7.3/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

The 2026 Santa Fe is a midsize, three-row SUV that sits at the smaller end of its segment, but its boxy shape and thoughtfully crafted interior help it feel more useful than its footprint suggests. It also gets a new transmission, added safety features, and minor equipment and packaging updates, which give it a more polished and current feel for the model year.

The trade-offs are clear: the design is polarizing, the fuel economy is poor, and the third row is cramped. That means you should view it as a family-friendly crossover for shoppers who value practicality, safety, and storage over maximum efficiency or passenger space.

Its market availability is solid, with 38.7% of listings priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is presented as a well-rounded, family-focused SUV with a strong warranty and roadside assistance coverage, plus complimentary lifetime Bluelink+ connected services for original owners. Its updated automatic transmission is described as smoother and more unobtrusive than the previous dual-clutch setup, which supports a more relaxed ownership experience.

The performance notes also point to a straightforward mechanical setup: a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive as standard, and all-wheel drive available on most trims. That simplicity, combined with the model’s polished driving behavior, suggests a vehicle that should be easy to live with day to day.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the standard gas version is not very fuel efficient, so operating costs may be higher than you expect if you drive a lot.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.3% — 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 off-road use. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, interior wear, and whether the equipment level matches the trim you’re shopping.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims span the lineup. The base trims use a smaller 4.2-inch center display in the gauge cluster, while the Limited and Calligraphy get a larger 12.3-inch display. The XRT adds a more rugged look, all-terrain tires, a raised suspension, and off-road-oriented hardware, but it also gives up efficiency.
• Powertrain: A standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional on most trims, and the XRT gets all-wheel drive standard. The new eight-speed automatic is smoother than the previous dual-clutch setup.
• Safety package: Hyundai includes a long list of standard safety features, including junction turning detection, front and rear parking sensors, and safe-exit assist. Higher trims add Highway Driving Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, plus a driver-attention monitor. Some advanced camera features are not included on the Santa Fe XRT.
• Infotainment: A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluelink+ connected services. Optional features include native navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and Hyundai Pay. A Bose premium audio system is standard from the Limited trim upward.
• Fuel efficiency: The standard turbocharged engine is not very fuel efficient, and the XRT is the least efficient version at 21 mpg combined. The hybrid is rated at 34 mpg combined with all-wheel drive, but that figure applies to the hybrid model rather than the gas version.

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, and it gives you the core Santa Fe experience without the extra equipment found higher up. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and can live without the upgraded displays and premium features.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds equipment without pushing you into luxury pricing. It should be the trim to target if you want a balanced mix of features and value.
• XRT: This is the choice if you want the rugged look and off-road-oriented hardware, including all-terrain tires, a raised suspension, and standard all-wheel drive. It suits buyers who actually plan to use those capabilities, but it is the least efficient version.
• Limited: This trim brings the larger 12.3-inch display in the gauge cluster and adds more upscale equipment, including the Bose premium audio system. It is a good fit if you want a more premium feel without going all the way to the top.
• Calligraphy: This is the most upscale version and is aimed at shoppers who want the most luxurious Santa Fe experience. It makes sense if you want the richest feature set and are comfortable paying more for it.

Higher trims also benefit from the expanded safety and driver-assistance setup, including Highway Driving Assist on upper versions.

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

The market looks moderate for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough deal activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,832 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.3% 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 stars for rollover resistance. It also earns the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.

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. Higher trims add Highway Driving Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, along with a driver-attention monitor that can help bring the SUV to a safe stop if needed.

One caveat is that navigation-based speed and curve control for adaptive cruise control can slow the Santa Fe too much, which may make it feel less natural in traffic.

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:

• 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The 2026 adds a new transmission, added safety features, and minor equipment and packaging updates.

Consider the 2025 if:

• The 2025 emphasizes bold styling and a larger-feeling cabin.

The bottom line: Choose the 2026 if you want the updated transmission and safety improvements in a family-friendly three-row SUV. If you’re shopping mainly on price, the 2025 is worth a look for its strong styling identity and broader feature appeal.

How does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe compare to the 2026 Kia Sportage?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe:

• Pros: Ample storage cubbies and compartments, Great safety ratings, Excellent value.
• Cons: Polarizing design, Poor fuel economy, Cramped third row.

2026 Kia Sportage:

• Pros: Stylish design, Great safety ratings, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, X-Pro’s underwhelming value proposition.

Our experts score the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe 7.3/10 and the 2026 Kia Sportage 7.3/10. The Santa Fe leans harder into family utility, with more storage, stronger value, and a third row, while the Sportage counters with a more stylish design and impressive technology. If you want the more practical three-row choice, the Santa Fe makes more sense; if you prefer a smaller SUV with a cleaner value story and a more conventional footprint, the Sportage is the easier fit.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.