New & Used 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale near Columbus, NC

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 an 7.33/10 expert rating, and the overall verdict is that it is a brilliant, family-friendly crossover SUV. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

It is 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 is not always better. You also get a new transmission, added safety features, and minor equipment and packaging updates for 2026.

The trade-offs are clear: the design is polarizing, fuel economy is poor, and the third row is cramped. If you want a practical family hauler with strong value and a lot of thoughtful storage, it fits that use case well.

Good and great deals account for 36.9% of listings, which suggests there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is presented as a well-rounded family SUV with strong value, a long warranty, and complimentary lifetime Bluelink+ connected services for original owners. Its standard turbocharged engine is described as smooth in operation, and the new automatic transmission is said to be smoother and more unobtrusive than the previous dual-clutch setup.

The performance notes also point to confident everyday drivability, with effortless acceleration after a brief initial delay in response. On the ownership side, the cost-effectiveness notes emphasize Hyundai’s outstanding warranty and roadside assistance coverage, which helps reduce some of the usual long-term ownership anxiety.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the least-efficient versions can be expensive to live with if you rack up a lot of miles.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or one that may have seen family-duty wear. Focus on interior condition, since this SUV is built around storage, daily usability, and frequent passenger use. If you are shopping an XRT, pay extra attention to whether the off-road-oriented hardware and tires match your actual needs.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy are the trims listed here. The base trims use a 4.2-inch center display in the gauge cluster, while Limited and Calligraphy get a larger 12.3-inch display. The XRT adds a more rugged look, blacked-out appearance, and all-terrain tires.
• Powertrain: A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai also switched to a traditional eight-speed automatic for 2026, which is smoother than the previous dual-clutch transmission. FWD is standard, and AWD is optional on most trims and standard on the XRT.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes 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 is included. Some features, such as navigation-based speed and curve control, are optional.
• Infotainment: A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluelink+ connected services. Limited and Calligraphy get a larger and fancier 12.3-inch display in the gauge cluster, and optional features include native navigation and Hyundai Pay technology.
• Fuel efficiency: The standard turbocharged engine is not very fuel efficient, and the XRT is the least-efficient version at 21 mpg combined. Other AWD models are rated at 23 mpg combined, while the hybrid is rated at 34 mpg combined with AWD.

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 formula without the extra cost of the higher trims. It makes sense if you want the basic three-row layout and standard tech without paying for more upscale displays or premium extras.
• SEL: This is the trim to target if you want a better balance of equipment and value. It keeps the Santa Fe’s practical strengths while moving you beyond the most basic setup, making it the best-value choice for many shoppers.
• XRT: This is the rugged-looking, off-road-focused version with standard AWD, all-terrain tires, a raised suspension, and added drive modes for sand, mud, and Terrain use. Buy this only if you actually want the extra capability, because it gives up efficiency and is the least-efficient version.
• Limited: This trim adds the larger 12.3-inch display in the gauge cluster and brings in more upscale equipment, including the standard Bose premium audio system. It is the right step up if you want a more premium-feeling cabin.
• Calligraphy: This is the most luxurious version, with the same larger display treatment and the most upscale presentation in the lineup. Choose it if you want the richest Santa Fe experience and are comfortable paying for it.

Higher trims, including the XRT, use Highway Driving Assist as part of the standard safety setup.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 36.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,585 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.6% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe earns five-star overall ratings from NHTSA, with five-star individual scores for frontal and side crashworthiness and four stars for rollover resistance. It also earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ award 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 is included to help keep tabs on the driver.

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:

• 36.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It adds a new transmission, added safety features, and minor equipment and packaging updates.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It emphasizes bold styling and a longer wheelbase that adds interior space.

The bottom line: If you want the latest Santa Fe with the updated transmission and safety improvements, the 2026 is the better default choice. If you are shopping mainly on price and want a similar family-focused package, the 2025 is worth a look as a potentially cheaper alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.