2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Review

When it comes to Hyundai’s three-row SUVs, the Palisade gets plenty of praise — and rightfully so.

It’s a pretty fantastic vehicle that offers a near-luxury experience, depending on how much you’re willing to pay, and then there’s the all-electric Ioniq 9 that’s capable of the same. But don’t forget about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, a cheaper three-row that more than holds its own when it comes to desirability.

No, it doesn’t make quite as big a statement as its siblings, it isn’t as great to drive, nor does it get as many doodads; but most can be forgiven considering it costs significantly less across its lineup than its siblings. It’s spacious for its size, comfortable, sufficiently filled with features, stylish in its own way, and as of 2026, only available as a hybrid here in Canada.

Styling: 8.5/10

Completely and radically redesigned a couple years ago, the current Santa Fe opts for full boxiness instead of the softer edges of its predecessor. It’s been compared to the Land Rover Defender ad nauseam, and it’s not an inaccurate reference point. It looks striking in person, but the rear end may not be for everyone; it’s top-heavy, and while the tail lights are supposed to look like the letter H on either side, they’re a bit like dog bones instead.

The interior is similar to the outside in that it’s pragmatically stylish in a vaguely rugged way. There are stitched, squared-off panels everywhere, and the big curved screen that actually houses two separate displays is ripped straight out of BMW’s playbook. Outside of the big screens, the rest of the cabin’s design seems like it will age well. It’s not flamboyantly luxurious or overdone, just quietly nice.

Safety: 9.5/10

Not only is the Santa Fe an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+, the organization's highest classification, but the semi-autonomous highway driving assist that comes in the top Ultimate Calligraphy trim tested here is among the best in the business. It’s able to keep its distance from preceding traffic calmly, navigate gentle bends confidently, and stay in the centre of its lane of travel without too much movement. It’s also worth noting that the system that comes in cheaper trims isn’t quite as robust.

Features: 8.5/10

Standard features for the 2026 Santa Fe include a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a heated steering wheel and front seats, and laminated front glass for better sound insulation. Moving beyond the base trim, there are extras like a wireless phone charger, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 12-speaker stereo, and more.

Two interesting features that prove this version of the Santa Fe was developed during the peak of the pandemic: a UV sterilization tray above the glove box that shines light on your knick-knacks to disinfect them, and discreet grab handles on the C-pillars that make it easier to get to your socially distanced overlanding tent on the roof.

User-Friendliness: 8/10

The stuff inside the Santa Fe is admirably easy to use. The twin 12.3-inch screens are big and sharp, and they use software that’s clearly been designed by people who have used modern smartphones before — not always a given in this business. Those are joined by plenty of buttons and knobs for stereo volume and tuning, infotainment shortcuts, and drive-related functions; but the climate controls in between the temperature knobs are touch-sensitive and notably small, requiring precise inputs as a result.

Practicality: 9/10

The Santa Fe seats seven as standard, but this top trim seats six thanks to its second-row captain’s chairs that are very spacious. Even without that middle seat, the cabin offers enough space for the whole family, with a console bin lid that can be easily opened from the second row (there’s a button at the back), as well as manual second-row sunshades, powered second-row seats, and storage nooks galore.

Third-row space is surprisingly good, as long as the second-row is slid forward a bit. At 5-foot-8, I fit back there fairly comfortably. As an added bonus, there are USB-C ports and dedicated climate controls back there, too.

Comfort: 9/10

The family-friendly vibe applies to overall comfort, too, because this three-row is perfectly cushy in both the ride quality and the seats. From potholes to unplowed streets, the Santa Fe soaks it all up smoothly and without heaving or wafting everywhere else.

Power: 7.5/10

Now that the Santa Fe is only available as a hybrid, the standard powertrain pairs a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder with an electric motor that together make 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid may be down on both power and torque versus its old gas-only twin, which made 277 hp and 311 lb-ft, but driven in isolation it’s perfectly adequate and decently smooth for everyday commuting.

The powertrain doesn’t exactly feel special, but nothing about it is particularly offensive, either. Electricity and internal combustion cooperate pretty seamlessly — you can hear the gas engine kick in if you’re listening for it, but it’s background noise and never interruptingly loud.

Driving Feel: 7/10

While some sport utilities still offer some steering feel, the Santa Fe isn’t among them — and that’s perfectly fine. Refreshing, even. It will respond to emergency manoeuvres properly, but the steering is notably disconnected-feeling and numb. The brake pedal travel is also spongy and long, but the system is very good at smooth, jerk-free stops.

Fuel Economy: 8/10

According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Santa Fe Hybrid is good for 6.9 L/100 km in the city, 7.0 on the highway, and 6.9 combined. For comparison, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Kia Sorento Hybrid are rated for 6.7 and 7.0 L/100 km combined, respectively.

By the end of this test, the indicated average was 8.6 L/100 km, although my time with it skewed a bit heavily towards city driving. It runs on regular-grade gas.

Value: 8/10

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Preferred starts at $43,799 before freight ($2,100) and taxes. From there, a Trend package of features can be added for $4,000, while the Luxury trim rings in at $53,549. Finally, the Ultimate Calligraphy trim tested here is $56,899.

For the sake of comparison, the Highlander Hybrid is priced between $54,485 and $61,736 before freight and tax, while the Sorento Hybrid is $43,736 and $55,995. Then there’s the bigger Palisade Hybrid that’s $60,499 to $65,699.

The Verdict

Is the equivalent Palisade worth the nearly $10,000 price premium compared to the Santa Fe? Er, probably, if you can swing it. But for those who can’t, or who would simply like some of that same excellence while keeping a bigger chunk of change in their pocket every month, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid remains a solid choice.

It stands out on the road, is sufficiently pleasant to drive, has one of the smartest semi-autonomous systems out there, and can transport all your people and stuff in spacious, pragmatic comfort. It’s a textbook everyday crossover in the best ways.