2026 Santa Fe Review in Owensboro, KY

Meet the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe at Don Moore Hyundai

If you want a midsize SUV that feels useful every day, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe deserves a close look at Don Moore Hyundai in Owensboro, KY. It blends three-row flexibility, turbocharged power, a broad feature spread, and a cabin layout that makes family duty feel less like a chore. This Santa Fe covers commuting, road trips, cargo hauling, and comfort without compromise.

For 2026, the Santa Fe lineup includes five trims:

• SE
• SEL
• XRT
• Limited
• Calligraphy

Why the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Stands Out

The 2026 Santa Fe succeeds by combining strong turbocharged performance, flexible seating, and a high level of standard and available features. It adapts easily to different driving needs, whether that means commuting, hauling cargo, or traveling with passengers.

It offers meaningful differences across trims, allowing drivers to choose between practical setups, capability-focused models like XRT, or premium-focused trims like Calligraphy.

Interior Comfort and Passenger Space

The 2026 Santa Fe is designed to maximize passenger comfort and usability across all three rows. It offers seating for six or seven passengers, depending on configuration.

Interior space includes:

• Up to 152 cubic feet of passenger volume
• Up to 79.6 cubic feet of cargo space
• 44.4 inches of front legroom
• 42.3 inches of second-row legroom
• 30.0 inches of third-row legroom

The cabin includes cloth, H-Tex, leather, or Nappa leather seating, depending on trim. Comfort features extend well beyond basic seating, including heated front seats, ventilated front seats on upper trims, and heated rear seats. Higher trims also include power-adjustable second-row captain’s chairs with reclining and tilting functions.

Additional interior details include a relaxation driver seat with one-touch settings, a leg cushion extension on Calligraphy, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-pane or conventional sunroof options, ambient interior lighting, and acoustic glass for a quieter ride. Storage is enhanced with a two-level center armrest and underfloor cargo space.

Cargo Space and Utility

The Santa Fe is designed to handle both passengers and cargo efficiently.

• 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row
• 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row
• 79.6 cubic feet behind the first row

Additional utility features include power-folding second-row seats, a low cargo floor, and a hands-free liftgate. These elements make loading and unloading easier, especially for daily errands or longer trips.

Exterior Design and Functional Features

The 2026 Santa Fe features a boxy, upright design that prioritizes interior space and practicality. The wide stance and squared rear profile improve cargo usability while giving the SUV a distinctive look.

Core exterior features include:

• LED headlights and LED daytime running lights
• LED taillights and automatic headlights
• Heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators
• Hands-free smart liftgate
• Roof rails

Beyond these core elements, the Santa Fe includes active design features like high beam assist, shark-fin antenna, Hyundai Digital Key 2, and proximity key entry with push-button start. Trim-specific upgrades include power-folding mirrors, gloss black or silver accents, dark-finish badging, and wheel sizes ranging from 18-inch all-terrain setups on XRT to 21-inch wheels on Calligraphy.

Exterior color choices include:

• Ecotronic Gray Matte
• Hampton Gray
• Ecotronic Gray
• Ultimate Red
• Shimmering Silver
• Phantom Black
• Atlantis Blue
• Serenity White
• Rockwood Green
• Earthy Brass Matte
• Terracotta Orange

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every 2026 Santa Fe uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and strong acceleration.

Key performance highlights include:

• Drive Mode Select
• Idle Stop and Go
• Available HTRAC all-wheel drive

Front-wheel drive is available on most trims, while all-wheel drive is standard on XRT and optional elsewhere. Towing capacity reaches up to 3,500 pounds on most trims and up to 4,500 pounds on XRT when properly equipped.

Additional performance support comes from Trailer Sway Control, trailer pre-wire connections, and terrain-based drive settings that help improve traction in changing conditions.

Ride and Handling

The Santa Fe uses a unibody structure with high-strength steel, paired with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. This setup helps balance ride comfort with control.

All models include motor-driven power steering and four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking. The XRT adds more ground clearance and all-terrain tires, while other trims focus on a smoother on-road driving experience. The manageable turning diameter helps make the Santa Fe easy to maneuver in tighter spaces.

Tech Features

Technology in the Santa Fe focuses on connectivity and everyday usability, with consistent interfaces across trims.

• 12.3-inch touchscreen display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
• Bose® 12-speaker premium audio system
• Over-the-air updates
• Hyundai Digital Key 2

Additional tech includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display on Calligraphy, wireless and dual wireless charging, multiple USB ports, including third-row charging, and a 115-volt power outlet. Features like Bluelink+, Hyundai Pay, rear seat quiet mode, and surround view monitoring further enhance usability.

The system also integrates navigation-based functions, voice recognition, and remote connectivity features that allow drivers to manage key vehicle settings.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2026 Santa Fe includes Hyundai SmartSense, delivering a wide range of driver-assist systems designed to improve awareness and reduce risk.

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Driver Attention Warning

Beyond these, the Santa Fe adds features like Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, available Highway Driving Assist, navigation-based smart cruise control with stop and go, and advanced rear occupant alert. Higher trims expand capability with Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist, surround view monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist II.

Core safety hardware includes multiple airbags, stability control systems, traction control, hillstart assist, downhill brake control, and tire pressure monitoring with individual tire indicators.

Find Your 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe at Don Moore Hyundai

If you are shopping for a three-row SUV in Owensboro, KY, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is worth seeing in person at Don Moore Hyundai. With strong performance, flexible space, and a wide range of features, it delivers a well-rounded option for modern drivers.

Visit Don Moore Hyundai to explore the full lineup, compare trims, and take a test drive. If you are also interested in electrified options, ask about additional Santa Fe powertrains during your visit.

* Bluetooth® word marks and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Hyundai is under license. A compatible Bluetooth®-enabled phone must first be paired. Phone performance depends on software, coverage, and carrier.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.

* All fuel economy mpg listing in the content above are EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary.