What Makes the Hyundai SANTA FE Ready for Camping and Outdoor Adventures?
What Makes the Hyundai SANTA FE Ready for Camping and Outdoor Adventures?
Not every camping SUV needs to conquer the most difficult trail. For most families, the goal is much simpler: get everyone to a campground a couple of times a year, tow a small trailer without drama, handle a gravel access road or a wet field on the way in, and still be comfortable enough on a daily commute. You don't need a rock crawler for that. You need an SUV that can handle the occasional outdoor adventure without compromising the rest of the year.
For under $45,000, the 2027 Hyundai SANTA FE handles the casual camping checklist. Here's how.
What Casual Campers Actually Need
A family SUV that spends most of its life on school drop-offs, errands, and commutes still has to earn its keep when camping season comes. For occasional trips, the essentials boil down to three things: available all-wheel drive that can handle light off-roading on low-grip surfaces like unpaved campground roads, enough towing capacity for a micro or lite travel trailer, and enough interior and cargo room to carry passengers and all the gear that comes with them.
What it doesn't need: a huge amount of ground clearance, aggressive all-terrain tires, or dedicated rock-crawling hardware. Those belong to a different class of vehicle, and they can add cost and compromise everyday comfort for a family that sticks to established campgrounds.
The Budget: Which SANTA FE Fits Under $45,000
Five trims of the SANTA FE sit under the $45,000 mark: SE trim with front-wheel drive ($35,300 MSRP[1]) or HTRAC All Wheel Drive ($37,100 MSRP), SEL trim with front-wheel drive ($37,840 MSRP) or HTRAC All Wheel Drive ($39,640 MSRP), and the XRT trim ($42,290 MSRP), which comes with HTRAC All Wheel Drive standard.
TrimMSRPCamping benefits | ||
|---|---|---|
SE FWD | $35,300 | 3,500-pound towing capacity[2], Trailer Sway Control, trailer pre-wiring, three rows standard |
SE AWD | $37,100 | Adds HTRAC All Wheel Drive[3] with Snow mode |
SEL FWD | $37,840 | Adds raised roof rails (220-pound load rating), rear A/C with third-row vents, heated front seats |
SEL AWD | $39,640 | Adds roof rails and HTRAC All Wheel Drive |
XRT | $42,290 | Standard HTRAC All Wheel Drive, Snow/Mud/Sand modes, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, 4,500-pound towing capacity, 115-volt outlet |
Trim
SE FWD
MSRP
$35,300
Camping benefits
3,500-pound towing capacity[2], Trailer Sway Control, trailer pre-wiring, three rows standard
Trim
SE AWD
MSRP
$37,100
Camping benefits
Adds HTRAC All Wheel Drive[3] with Snow mode
Trim
SEL FWD
MSRP
$37,840
Camping benefits
Adds raised roof rails (220-pound load rating), rear A/C with third-row vents, heated front seats
Trim
SEL AWD
MSRP
$39,640
Camping benefits
Adds roof rails and HTRAC All Wheel Drive
Trim
XRT
MSRP
$42,290
Camping benefits
Standard HTRAC All Wheel Drive, Snow/Mud/Sand modes, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, 4,500-pound towing capacity, 115-volt outlet
For many casual campers, the SEL AWD trim is a great sweet spot. At $39,640 MSRP, it adds the traction of all-wheel drive along with raised roof rails rated to carry up to 220 pounds. Heated front seats, third-row vents, quality synthetic leather seating that wipes clean more easily than cloth, and a wireless phone charger add comfort the rest of the year.
The XRT trim takes the capability a bit further. Ground clearance increases by 1.3 inches to 8.3 inches, Continental all-terrain tires wrap its 18-inch black alloy wheels, and Snow, Mud, and Sand terrain modes[4] join HTRAC All Wheel Drive as standard equipment. Towing climbs to 4,500 pounds, and a 115-volt outlet in the cargo area can power camp gear.
The XRT trim also gets a C-pillar assist handle, making it easier to reach gear strapped to the roof rails, and built-in navigation, which can be useful when you're heading somewhere with limited cell service.
How Much Can the Hyundai SANTA FE Tow?
Every SANTA FE can tow at least 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes. With trailer brakes, the SE and SEL are rated to pull up to 3,500 pounds, while the XRT increases the maximum to 4,500 pounds.
SANTA FE trimMax towing (with trailer brakes)Max towing (without trailer brakes) | ||
|---|---|---|
SE/SEL/Limited/Calligraphy (gas) | 3,500 pounds | 1,650 pounds |
XRT | 4,500 pounds | 1,650 pounds |
SANTA FE trim
SE/SEL/Limited/Calligraphy (gas)
Max towing (with trailer brakes)
3,500 pounds
Max towing (without trailer brakes)
1,650 pounds
SANTA FE trim
XRT
Max towing (with trailer brakes)
4,500 pounds
Max towing (without trailer brakes)
1,650 pounds
That 3,500-to-4,500-pound rating is handled by the 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, and it covers the micro and lite travel trailers that work well for casual campers.
Two details make the SANTA FE well prepared for occasional towing. Trailer Sway Control is standard on every trim, automatically applying individual brakes to settle a trailer that starts to oscillate in crosswinds. Every SANTA FE also comes with trailer pre-wiring from the factory, so adding a hitch doesn't require splicing into the harness.
A Chassis Built for Loaded-Up Family Miles
Available HTRAC All Wheel Drive gives the SANTA FE extra traction on the surfaces that casual campers encounter. The system shifts torque between the axles as grip changes, which is especially important as the rear axle gets loaded up when towing.
All-wheel-drive models also get a dedicated Snow mode that starts the vehicle with more rear-axle torque for low-grip launches: wet-grass, gravel, and frosty-morning situations common to campgrounds. Your SUV doesn't necessarily have to climb a challenging trail. It just has to avoid spinning the tires when a paved road ends and the campground begins.
For drivers who want to go further off the beaten path, the XRT trim adds Mud and Sand terrain modes, extra ground clearance, and all-terrain tires. Or for those wanting to maximize fuel economy, there's the SANTA FE Hybrid.
Every SANTA FE rides on a multi-link independent rear suspension with gas-pressurized shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar. That setup keeps the body controlled when the cargo area is full of coolers and the hitch is carrying tongue weight. 7.0 inches of ground clearance (and 8.3 inches on the XRT trim), helps clear the ruts and rain channels of an established campground access road.
The SANTA FE's chassis works well for dual purposes: useful capability for camping without giving up the everyday ride and packaging expected from a three-row SUV.
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Cargo Space That Survives the Third Row
Camping gear has a way of taking up more room than expected, particularly when you're packing for a family. Behind the second row, the SANTA FE offers 40.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet behind the front seats.
Even with all the rows up, there's 14.6 cubic feet left over, enough for duffel bags, camp chairs, or coolers. Larger families can also use the roof rails for more gear. Plus, there's an underfloor storage tray for the muddy stuff you'd rather not stack on the carpet.
The details help at the campsite, too. A hands-free power liftgate[5] is standard on every trim and opens automatically when you stand behind it with the key in your pocket, handy when you're unloading gear or packing up a campsite.
A 12-volt outlet in the cargo area keeps phones charged on the drive, and the second-row seats have a remote release, so folding them flat for a bulky load takes seconds.
The Casual Camper's Verdict
Weekend campers may not even need to step past the base trim to get their requirements. Three rows, Trailer Sway Control, and factory trailer pre-wiring are all standard on the SE trim. If you think you'd need the roof rails or comforts like heated seats and more air vents, the SEL trim is an appealing choice. For campers who want more ground clearance and a higher tow rating without leaving the under-$45,000 range, the $42,290 XRT trim keeps the SEL trim's roof rails and comfort equipment while adding terrain modes.
Frequently asked questions
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[1] MSRP excludes freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Freight charges and actual dealer prices may vary. Vehicles displayed may contain optional equipment at additional cost. Accessory items shown may vary according to model and illustration.
[2] Towing capability varies by configuration. 4,500 lb. maximum towing capacity requires a trailer equipped with trailer brakes. See the towing guide in the Owner's Manual for proper use and additional information.
[3] HTRAC AWD available on SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, and standard on XRT trim.
[4] XRT trim equipped with standard HTRAC AWD features Terrain Modes (Snow, Mud, and Sand). Terrain Modes are designed to help optimize vehicle settings for certain driving conditions. Always drive according to road and weather conditions.
[5] The smart liftgate will open when the smart key is within 40 inches of the detection area for at least 3 seconds. Radio transmitters and other vehicle smart keys may interfere in normal operation of the feature. See Owner's Manual for further details and limitations. Make sure you close the liftgate before driving.
[6] 2027 SANTA FE Hybrid SE, SEL, Limited and Calligraphy FWD: 37 City/36 Highway/36 Combined MPG. All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.
[7] 2027 SANTA FE Hybrid SE, SEL, Limited and Calligraphy AWD: 35 City/34 Highway/35 Combined MPG. All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.
