Hyundai · 2000–present

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe (Korean: 현대 싼타페) is a series of crossover SUVs produced across five generations by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2000. It is named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV. The Santa Fe was a milestone in the company's restructuring program of the late 1990s because the SUV was a hit with American buyers. The Santa Fe was initially marketed as a compact SUV in its first-generation. After the Tucson was introduced in 2004, marketed under that same class, the Santa Fe was later repositioned into the mid-size SUV class since its second-generation launched in 2005. Through all generations, the Santa Fe has been offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The third-generation Santa Fe introduced in 2012 was available in two versions, which are regular (short) and extended long-wheelbase version. The short model was sold as the Santa Fe Sport in North America (three-row seating was not available) and simply Santa Fe in global markets (three-row seating was standard or optional), while the extended long-wheelbase model is called the Santa Fe in the U.S., Santa Fe XL in Canada and called the Hyundai Maxcruz in South Korea. The fourth-generation model, which was launched in 2018, introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain (since 2020), and the fifth-generation model, which was launched in 2023, discontinued diesel engines.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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First generation (SM; 2000)

=== 2001 === In its first year in production, the Santa Fe was offered with one of two engine and transmission combinations. In North America, a fuel-efficient 2.4 L four-cylinder engine was standard equipment and could be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. A 2,656 cc (2.7 L; 160 cu in) Delta V6 offered more power than the four-cylinder but was only available with the automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard (with traction control optional with the V6) and 4WD was optional. A 2.0 L Common Rail Turbo Diesel (CRTD) was offered outside the United States. Australian Santa Fes went on sale in November 2000 with only one engine/transmission choice – a 2.7L V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. 4WD was standard. A cheaper 2.4L four-cylinder joined the range several months later in 2001, but was only available with a manual transmission. 2002. The Santa Fe entered its second year with only one minor change involving the placement of the V6 emblem to a higher location on the tailgate. In February 2002, the centre dash vents and buttons were restyled. The clock was relocated to the centre dash from its prior location in the overhead map light assembly, which was also restyled. In April 2002, seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags were made standard for front occupants. Demand for the Santa Fe continued to be up but owners had several suggested changes for Hyundai. Mid-2002 In a rare mid-year model change, Hyundai increased fuel tank capacity from 64 to 71 L (14.1 to 15.6 imp gal; 16.9 to 18.8 US gal) and a sunroof option was added in May 2002. At the same time, chrome interior door handles replaced matte gray handles and a chrome shifter gate on automatic equipped models replaced matte silver gate trim. Few models also received a fact

Second generation (CM; 2005)

=== 2007 === The new 2006 Santa Fe went on sale in South Korea in late 2005. In the United States, it debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The first production Santa Fe in the United States rolled off Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly line on 18 April 2006. It shared this assembly line with the Hyundai Sonata. This new generation shed the old style's quirky design in favour of a more contemporary look. In the United States, the new generation was offered in GLS, SE, and Limited versions. The new Santa Fe saw the return of a manual transmission, but only when mated with the 2,656 cc (2.656 L; 162.1 cu in) V6. The 3,342 cc (3.342 L; 203.9 cu in) V6 (a retuned version of the same engine found in the Sonata) was standard on the SE and Limited and comes only with a 5-speed automatic. Both 2WD and AWD models with a 3.3 L have a fuel economy of 19 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑imp) city and 24 mpg‑US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg‑imp) highway. The 2.2 L diesel engine (not available in the US) with 114 kW (155 PS; 153 hp) has mixed cycle of 7.2l and a city cycle of 8.0l. The 4WD is a Borg-Warner Torque Management device, which diverts power to the wheels with best grip according to the amount of slip. If the front wheels spin slightly, 10% of the torque will transfer to the rear axle. If the front wheels start to slip a lot, 50% of the torque will transfer to the rear axle. Body lean in turns, a problem with the previous generation, has been reduced in the new Santa Fe. Both road and wind noise have also been reduced. Newly standard on the latest iteration of the Santa Fe are safety features the previous model lacked or charged as extra. Electronic stability control (ESC), side-curtain airbags for all seating rows, a tire pressure monitor, active f

Third generation (DM/NC; 2012)

Hyundai launched a redesign of the Santa Fe on 14 February 2012. Unveiled at the 2012 New York International Auto Show on 4 April, the third generation Santa Fe features two wheelbase variants: shorter 5-seat Sport variant (7-seat is optional in several markets) and the long-wheelbase version (called Santa Fe XL in Canada) with three rows of seats and available seating for six or seven passengers. Both models feature the new "Storm Edge" design prototype, eventually launch on all other models, and feature refreshed Santa Fe unibody crossover platform. Short-wheelbase version (DM). The short-wheelbase version is marketed as the Santa Fe Sport in the United States and Canada, and simply Santa Fe in other regions. While the Santa Fe Sport is solely available in two-row in North America, a third-row seat option is available as standard or optional in most regions outside North America. The 2013 Santa Fe Sport models arrived with an all four-cylinder engine lineup. The standard engine is a 2.4 L developing 190 horsepower (142 kW), with a 264 hp (268 PS; 197 kW) 2.0 L turbo four on offer. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive being optional. The Santa Fe Sport has Hyundai's Torque Vectoring Cornering Control feature for upgraded drive performance. Both engines shift through a six-speed automatic transmission (already found in the Azera sedan), returning up to 33 mpg‑US (7.1 L/100 km; 40 mpg‑imp) for the naturally aspirated model and 31 mpg‑US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg‑imp) for the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T model. The Korean-spec Santa Fe was launched in Asia since 19 April 2012, in short wheel base form with 7-seater capacity. Available engine types are a 2.0L E-VGT R-Line and 2.2L E-VGT R-Line diesel engines. Facelift. ==== North America ==== The Santa Fe Sport went on s

Fourth generation (TM; 2018)

On 21 February 2018, Hyundai introduced the fourth-generation Santa Fe in South Korea, followed by the Geneva Motor Show in March. The fourth-generation Santa Fe is a two-row SUV which succeeds the previous short-wheelbase Santa Fe (marketed in North America as the Santa Fe Sport). Compared to the third-generation short-wheelbase model, the fourth-generation model is longer by 80 mm (3.1 in), wider by 10 mm (0.4 in) with a 65 mm (2.6 in) longer wheelbase. The longer wheelbase generated more legroom for passengers in the second and third row. In the second row, legroom is increased by 38 mm (1.5 in) and the seat is 18 mm (0.7 in) higher. Third row seats are optional in several markets, standard in some other markets and not available in regions such as North America. A new one-touch seat folding function is included for easy access to the third row seats, which has a 22 mm (0.9 in) larger headroom. However, Hyundai said the third-row is best for "occasional use". Hyundai also claimed rearward visibility is improved due to the larger rear quarter glass that is 41 percent larger than the previous generation. Cargo room is 130 litres (4.6 cu ft) with all seats rows up, 547 litres (19.3 cu ft) with the third row folded down (previously 516 litres (18.2 cu ft)), and 1,625 litres (57.4 cu ft) with the second and third seats folded (previously 1,615 litres (57.0 cu ft)). The steering of the Santa Fe has been tuned to be more responsive, and the upgraded suspension is stiffer and angled more vertically for longer travel length. As the result, vehicle stability is enhanced while comfort, NVH and overall quietness is claimed to improve. Road noise is also reduced through the use of more sound deadening materials. A self-load-levelling suspension is optional, which continuously adj

Fifth generation (MX5; 2023)

The fifth-generation Santa Fe was announced by Hyundai on 17 July 2023, followed by a full unveiling on 10 August 2023. Developed under the codename MX5, Hyundai designed the vehicle to appeal to the growing outdoor lifestyle globally by adopting a boxy design. Its exterior elements were designed to reduce the drag coefficient to just 0.29 (0.33 on the previous generation). The model is 55 mm (2.2 in) longer than the outgoing model, with the same width. The 2,815 mm (110.8 in) wheelbase is 50 mm (2.0 in) longer than the previous generation. The headlamps and tail lamps take on an H-shaped design, with a light bar spanning the width of the front end in the centre of the grille. The tail lamps are positioned at the bottom of the liftgate directly above the rear bumper. It also sports angular wheel arches on the fenders. The Santa Fe will also become Hyundai's first extended-range electric vehicle. Reports from ETNews suggests the EREV version of the Santa Fe will start production in 2026 and start sales in 2027. A prototype version was spotted on 24 November 2025 and is based on the North American version (codenamed MX5a), likely meaning the EREV version will be produced in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. Ensuring spacious interior space and large cargo volume, Hyundai chose to design the SUV starting from the rear. A higher roofline increased headroom space for second row occupants. Second-row legroom is rated 1,075 mm (42.3 in) for petrol variants (+35 mm (1.4 in) over the older Santa Fe) and 1,055 mm (41.5 in) for the hybrid. Third-row legroom is rated 761 mm (30.0 in) (+15 mm (0.6 in)), while headroom is 958 mm (37.7 in) (+69 mm (2.7 in)) and seat height is 282 mm (11.1 in) (+30 mm (1.2 in)). The third-row seats also recline by 10 degrees. Hyundai also claims a 7

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Hyundai Santa Fe

Manufacturer

Hyundai

aka

Hyundai Maxcruz (LWB, South Korea; 2013–2019)

Production

June 2000 – present

Model years

2001–present

Class

Compact SUV (2000–2006), Mid-size SUV (2005–present)

Body style

5-door crossover SUV

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q489852CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Santa_FeCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375194026 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2024_Hyundai_Santa_Fe_(MX5)_IMG_5295.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Alexander Migl · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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