Family cars come in all shapes and sizes. Buyers used to find themselves in station wagons with heaps of cargo space, there are plenty of sedans with rear-seat legroom perfect for growing kids, and today people even opt for family-friendly full-size trucks. That said, the SUV and crossover segments are the most popular. There is no shortage of SUVs in all sizes and price ranges.
Hyundai offers a variety of models, including the cheapest new car on sale in 2026, the Hyundai Venue, the large three-row Palisade, and, of course, the midsize crossover Santa Fe. The 2026 Santa Fe is currently in its fifth generation, which debuted for the 2024 model year. It’s available in five trims, all powered by the same 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder. A hybrid variant is also available, offering everything the gas model does, minus the XRT trim, and is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a hybrid system. Buyers can choose between front- and all-wheel drive on almost every trim (except the XRT). Hyundai is confident that any of its trims would make for a great family hauler, but we feel one rises above the rest.
The Best Hyundai Santa Fe for Families is…
Affordable, but Not Too Basic: 2026 Santa Fe SEL
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL front 3/4 angle configurator view in redHyundai
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL Overview
Base Price
$37,590
Available Drivetrains
FWD or AWD
Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
20/29/24 mpg (FWD)
20/28/23 mpg (AWD)
Of the five Santa Fe trims, our choice for families is the SEL, which is a step above the base model. The SEL trim comes with more standard comfort features without being too expensive. We know how expensive it can be to raise a family — this writer comes from a family of six that could never afford a brand-new car. That said, we are picking the SEL trim since it’s relatively budget-friendly with a sub-$40,000 starting price.
For that much money, buyers will feel comfortable seating up to seven people across three rows. The seats are upholstered in H-Tex, Hyundai’s faux leather, which is an upgrade over the SE trim’s standard cloth. The driver gets an eight-way power-adjustable seat with two-way lumbar support, and both front seats are heated. Hyundai offers standard power-folding second-row seats in the SEL, as well as Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The SEL trim also includes third-row USB ports, a 12-volt outlet in the trunk/cargo area, and third-row air conditioning.
While the SEL trim is fairly affordable, and it comes with a good number of standard features across all three rows, there are some options we wouldn’t mind paying extra for. To make it a safer family model, we would add all-wheel drive for another $1,800, all-season floor liners for $280, and side steps for $865 to help younger kids get in and out safely. Those additions bring the base price to $40,535, excluding the $1,600 destination charge.
Where it All Begins: The Most Affordable Option
Cheap and Simple: 2026 Santa Fe SE
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SE rear 3/4 angle in white – configurator viewHyundai
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Overview
Base Price
$35,050
Available Drivetrains
FWD or AWD
Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
20/29/24 mpg (FWD)
20/28/23 mpg (AWD)
Not every family can afford a higher trim level or options, so Hyundai offers the Santa Fe SE. This base model is as simple as it gets. The SUV comes with the same powertrain as any other trim (the gas model gets a 2.5-liter engine, and the hybrid model has the same 1.6-liter engine as the rest of the lineup), and fuel economy isn’t any better than the rest of the trims with either powertrain. Buyers can still add all-wheel drive, but the front-drive variant starts the lineup at $35,050 before destination.
If you’re so budget-conscious that you would choose this model over the SEL, then we assume you wouldn’t spend extra money on options and add-ons. That said, it’s not totally devoid of features. Some highlights include stain-resistant cloth seats, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, two USB ports in the second row (but none in the third row), manually adjustable single-zone climate controls with second-row vents — again, lacking vents in the third row — and some standard safety features. This trim isn’t too bad for a new three-row SUV under $40,000, but occupants in the third row have to sacrifice comfort.
An Off-Road-Oriented Hyundai?
For the Adventurous Type: 2026 Santa Fe XRT
2024 Santa Fe XRT front 3/4 angle while drivingHyundai
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Overview
Base Price
$42,040
Available Drivetrains
AWD
Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
19/25/21 mpg
The only trim that gets excluded from having a hybrid powertrain is the XRT off-road-oriented variant. We say off-road oriented, since it’s not the most capable off-roader. The basics of a rugged off-road SUV usually include body-on-frame construction, four-wheel drive, locking differentials, and more. This Hyundai lacks all of those basic features. However, any buyer who wants a true off-road vehicle probably isn’t buying a Hyundai. The Santa Fe XRT is meant for occasional camping trips where you may end up on a gravel road or fire access road with minimal ruts and obstacles.
What makes the XRT trim special is its omission of a front-wheel-drive system, opting instead for a standard AWD setup. Plus, it comes with all-terrain tires, 8.3 inches of ground clearance (compared to the standard seven inches on other trims), and a handful of cosmetic enhancements to make it feel more rugged.
To make it more practical, we would add the same all-weather rubber floor mats for $280, a cargo organizer for off-road tools like an air pump, wrenches, etc., mudguards for $140, roof rack cross rails for $375, the severe weather kit for $80 that includes hand warmers, ponchos, gloves, and more, and underbody protection plates for $265. All in, these options bring the price of an XRT model to $43,810 before destination.
More Comfortable for the Whole Family
Family-Friendly, but More Expensive: 2026 Santa Fe Limited
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe front 3/4 angle in gray while drivingHyundai
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited Overview
Base Price
$44,600
Available Drivetrains
FWD or AWD
Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
20/29/24 mpg (FWD)
20/28/23 mpg (AWD)
Families with larger budgets would benefit from the near-luxuries in the Santa Fe Limited. This trim is approaching the best-equipped Santa Fe on sale; it’s not fully loaded, but close enough that you might not notice the difference on the road. It’s unique among the versions we’ve discussed so far, since buyers can switch the second-row bench seat for captain’s chairs, thereby reducing the maximum seating capacity to six.
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It comes with standard leather upholstery, an 8-way power driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar support and integrated memory, a six-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats. This trim is also the first in the lineup to feature a 12-speaker Bose audio system. It’s filled with more tech, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and more that lower trims don’t have access to.
We think it looks great with a brown leather interior at no extra cost, though black and gray upholstery are also available. All-wheel drive for an additional $1,800 increases driver confidence, but we don’t feel the need to add any more add-ons unless you fancy some all-weather floor liners. With AWD, this trim costs $45,900 before destination.
Now Arriving at Peak Santa Fe
No Boundaries at This Level: 2026 Santa Fe Calligraphy
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – side angle with trunk openHyundai
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Overview
Base Price
$47,600
Available Drivetrains
FWD or AWD
Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
20/29/24 mpg (FWD)
20/28/23 mpg (AWD)
It might seem strange to say a Hyundai feels luxurious, but the Santa Fe’s Calligraphy trim is actually packed with every high-end feature the brand offers. The Palisade’s Calligraphy trim feels even more premium, since it’s a larger vehicle with more space to spread out, but the Santa Fe brings more than enough comfort for a slightly lower price. It makes more sense when you take a look at the brand’s luxury division, Genesis, and how it’s winning the interior wars among luxury automakers.
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The Santa Fe Calligraphy comes with standard Nappa leather upholstery, second-row captain’s chairs, and the same heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats as the Limited trim, for a max seating capacity of six occupants. Still, the driver’s seat gets a leg cushion extension, heated second-row seats, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and more. Third-row passengers get high-power USB ports, their own climate control vents, rear sunshades, and more.
As for additional options, there’s not much we can add to make it more luxurious. However, we think it looks great in Earthy Brass Metallic paint for an extra $1,000, with a gray or black interior. All-wheel drive for $1,800 makes it feel safer, and all-season floor mats for $280 can help protect the interior. Side steps for $865 tie the exterior together. With the added options, this Santa Fe Calligraphy costs $51,545 before destination.
Just for fun, we added every single option Hyundai offers, including towing equipment, first aid kits, off-road gear, and more. If you truly want the most expensive Santa Fe money can buy, you’d end up spending $54,645, excluding the destination charge.
Sources: Hyundai, EPA
