2026 Hyundai SANTA FE XRT: Ready For Your Family Adventures
2026 Hyundai SANTA FE XRT: Ready For Your Family Adventures
Comfort, power and technology, perfectly combined
The Hyundai SANTA FE is a well-rounded SUV with plenty of comfort, power, and advanced safety technology. But for drivers craving adventures far beyond the beaten path, Hyundai offers the SANTA FE XRT. It takes everything you love about the standard model and adds extra ground clearance, standard HTRAC All-Wheel Drive (HTRAC AWD), all-terrain tires, and increased towing capacity, so you can take your family off-road without sacrificing comfort.
Engineered for off-road excursions
The SANTA FE XRT comes equipped with Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD system, which adjusts torque between the front and rear wheels to suit conditions, including snow, sand, or mud. XRT-exclusive all-terrain tires provide the grip you need when the trail gets tough.
For more demanding off-road excursions, an AWD lock mode provides better traction at low speeds, perfect for steep terrain. And on the way back down, standard Downhill Brake Control may automatically apply braking to help maintain a steady pace, so you can focus on steering.
The XRT sits 1.3 inches higher than other SANTA FE trims — for a total of 8.3 inches of ground clearance — which can make a real difference when driving on a dirt trail full of obstacles or on other uneven terrain. It also boasts improved approach (19.3 degrees) and departure (21.8 degrees) angles, allowing you to climb and descend steeper trails with confidence.
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More than enough oomph to power your next adventure
Under the hood, the XRT has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing up to 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. With up to an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway[1] and a 17.7-gallon fuel tank, you could make a round trip from, say, Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park, enjoy a full weekend off the grid, and head back — without ever having to stop for gas.
Even better, the XRT can tow up to 4,500 pounds, a full 1,000 pounds more than other SANTA FE trims[2]. Just load up your family and go wherever your adventurous soul takes you.
Distinct style to complement off-pavement prowess
From the ground up, the XRT looks the part of an off-roader. All-terrain tires are mounted on trim-exclusive 18-inch dark alloy wheels, while gloss-back mirror caps, matte-metal C-pillar trim, a glossy dark chrome grille, and black-anodized badging complete the XRT's assertive vibe. These design features give the SANTA FE XRT serious extra style points to help set it apart from the crowd.
Comfort and space for the whole crew
Inside, the SANTA FE XRT seats seven and offers thoughtful touches throughout. The driver's seat is eight-way power-adjustable, both front seats are heated, and a bi-directional center console opens from either side for easy access from the first and second row.
Best-in-class passenger volume[3], dual-zone automatic climate control, and third-row air vents help keep passengers comfortable, no matter which row they're sitting in.
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™[4] are both standard and wireless, and four USB ports (two up front, two in the second row) ensure everyone’s devices charge up on the way home.
Standard safety and convenience features help you enjoy the trip
Every SANTA FE XRT comes with the Hyundai SmartSense suite of safety technologies, designed to help protect you and your passengers and make long drives easier:
Blind-Spot Collision Warning[5]: watches for cars in or approaching your blind spot. It can help warn you before making a lane change.
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist[6]: monitors up to 80 feet to either side while reversing. The SANTA FE XRT may automatically apply the brakes if a vehicle gets too close.
Parking Distance Warning Reverse and Forward[7]: uses sensors in the front and sides of the vehicle to help you avoid hitting objects. The closer you get, the faster it beeps.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection[8]: keeps an eye on traffic ahead, and across, when turning left at intersections.
Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control[9]: helps maintain a safe following distance and adjusts for curves.
Highway Driving Assist[10], Lane Keeping Assist[11], and Lane Following Assist[12]: work together to help center the vehicle in its lane and alert you if your hands leave the wheel for too long.
When you’re on a long road trip or going nowhere in particular, these are the kinds of systems that help keep your mind relaxed, alert, and ready to take part in an off-road adventure.
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[1] 2026 SANTA FE XRT AWD: 19 City/25 Highway/21 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.
[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] Class comparison based on primary compact hybrid SUV competitors as defined by Hyundai Motor America. The competitors within this class are the 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid, and the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid. Claim based on comparison of specifications on manufacturer websites.
[4] Apple CarPlay is compatible with certain Apple devices. For a full list of compatible devices, please visit apple.com/ios/carplay. CarPlay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Android Auto is compatible with Android phones running Android 6.0 or higher. Android Auto may not be available on all devices and is not available in all countries or regions. Additional apps may be required. Android and Android Auto are trademarks of Google LLC.
[5] Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) assists the driver by warning of other cars in the blind spot region. It senses the rear side territory of the vehicle when it is traveling over 25 mph. There are limitations to the function, range, detection and clarity of the system. It will not detect all vehicles or objects in the blind spot. Its operation depends on the size, distance, angle and relative speed difference between your car and other cars. BCW may not operate if sensors are obscured in any way. Do not rely exclusively on BCW. BCW is a supplemental system and the driver must still be attentive and exercise caution when driving. It is the driver's responsibility to be aware of the surroundings and ensure it is clear before changing lanes or directions. See Owner’s Manual for further details and limitations.
[6] Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) can alert the driver of a potential collision by providing an audible warning and/or applying braking. RCCA is active when the vehicle is in reverse and operating at low speeds. Never rely exclusively on RCCA. RCCA cannot prevent all collisions and may not provide alerts or braking in all conditions. Always look over your shoulder and use your mirrors to confirm rear clearance. There are limitations to the function, detection, range and clarity of the system. See Owner's Manual for further details and limitations.
[7] Do not rely exclusively on Parking Distance Warning. Parking Distance Warning is a supplemental system and the driver must still be attentive and exercise caution when parking. See Owner's Manual for further details and limitations.
[8] Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction-Turning (FCA-JT) is intended to be a supplement to safe driving practices. The system is not designed to detect certain stationary objects such as trees or poles, and may not detect all vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists under certain conditions. The system’s Junction-Turning function operates when the vehicle’s left turn signal is activated, the vehicle is traveling between approximately 6-19 mph and the oncoming vehicle’s speed is between approximately 19-44 mph. The system is a driver assistance system and is not a substitute for safe driving. The driver is responsible for being attentive and maintaining control of the vehicle, and should not wait for the system's alerts before braking as there may not be sufficient time to brake safely. See Owner’s Manual for further details and limitations.
[9] Navigation based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control can help automatically reduce vehicle speed when driving through curves by using road information from the navigation system. SCC is a driver convenience feature and not a collision avoidance or warning device. SCC is for highway use only and should not be used in poor weather, heavy or varying traffic, on winding or slippery roads, or if the navigation system is not working properly. Driver remains responsible for steering the vehicle and slowing or stopping the vehicle to avoid a collision. See Owner's Manual for further details and limitations.
[10] Highway Driving Assist (HDA), is for highway use only and can help keep the vehicle centered in its lane while maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead only when the lane markings are clearly visible on the road and should not be used in poor weather, heavy or varying traffic, or on winding or slippery roads. HDA will not work under all circumstances and will not prevent loss of control. Driver remains responsible to slow or stop the vehicle to avoid a collision. See Owner’s Manual for further details and limitations.
[11] Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) will not work under all circumstances. It operates above 40 mph and only when it is able to detect painted lane markings. It cannot function if the lane markings cannot be seen clearly. If the lines cannot be seen clearly due to poor road conditions, weather, or lighting conditions, it may not function. It also may not function on very rough roads, when walls, curbs or concrete barriers are close by, or if following another car too closely. Since it "sees" the lane markings using a camera in the upper windshield area, it is imperative this area be clear and free of blockage such as stickers, dirt, snow, tinting material, markings and labels. LKA is not a substitute for safe driving practices, but is a supplemental assist only. The driver is responsible for always maintaining command and control of the vehicle and must keep hands on the wheel at all times. See Owner's Manual for further details and limitations.
[12] Lane Following Assist (LFA) helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane only when the lane markings are clearly visible on the road. LFA will not work under all circumstances and will not prevent loss of control. LFA is a supplemental assist, and does not replace the need for extreme care and attention by the driver. See Owner’s Manual for further details and limitations.
