The overall look and feel of the Santa Fe XL’s cabin is generally premium, particularly with the SE’s Premium Package or on the Limited Ultimate. High quality materials are paired with a logical, well arranged layout that falls to hand easily with buttons that respond well to the touch. The front seats are comfortable, with the driver’s seat boasting standard power adjustment and lumbar support, and with both occupants given loads of room. Likewise in the second row, where you can spec either a bench seat or two captain’s chairs, with sliding and reclining adjustment. The third-row doesn’t share the same spaciousness and is cramped as far as adults are concerned. Cloth seating surfaces are standard on the SE, with optional leather, meanwhile there are upgrades like heated seats, ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel available. The second-row features two full sets of LATCH anchors.
Performance across both Santa Fe XL trim lines is equal, with both drawing 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque from a 3.3-liter V6. While front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional, matching what most of the three-row crossover segment offers. Performance is decent with a sub-eight second 0-60 mph sprint, but other turbocharged competitors like the Mazda CX-9 manage the sprint a little quicker. However, where the Santa Fe XL fares well is its towing performance. Regardless of trim, the Santa Fe XL's maximum towing capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds, which is decent for the class but well below the maximum hauling ability of truck-based body on frame SUVs that offer the better towing ability and better off-road capabilities.
There's just a single engine and gearbox combination on offer in the Hyundai Santa Fe XL. A 3.3-liter gasoline V6 engine lies under the hood developing 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque, which are better figures than many competitors. The engine is actually relatively strong, but the throttle programming is poor and there's a massive delay between throttle application and an actual response accompanied by acceleration. That means accelerating into gaps or accelerating up to highway speeds takes some preempting. Mated to the V6 is a six-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, with no manual option available. The six-speed shifts smoothly, slurring from one gear to the next quietly and comfortably, but it doesn't do much to aid the engine's poor responses.
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL Trims | Hyundai Santa Fe XL Engines | Hyundai Santa Fe XL Horsepower | Hyundai Santa Fe XL Transmissions | Hyundai Santa Fe XL Drivetrains | Hyundai Santa Fe XL MPG/MPGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | 3.3L V6 Gas | 290 hp @ 6400 rpm | 6-Speed Automatic | AWD FWD | 20 MPG 21 MPG |
| Limited Ultimate | 3.3L V6 Gas | 290 hp @ 6400 rpm | 6-Speed Automatic | AWD FWD | 19 MPG 20 MPG |
The base Santa Fe XL SE in front-wheel drive offers gas mileage estimates of 18/25/21 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles, according to the EPA, with the Limited Ultimate averaging less on the highway and combined cycles at 23 and 20 mpg respectively. Equipping all-wheel drive comes with a slight decrease in economy, with EPA figures of 18/24/20 mpg for the SE, while the Limited Ultimate claims estimates of 17/22/19 mpg. These figures are below what rivals achieve, particularly those with turbocharged engines. All Santa Fe XLs are equipped with an 18.8-gallon fuel tank, with the SE FWD achieving a maximum range of 395 miles in mixed driving conditions.
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL Trims | SE | Limited Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL Fuel Economy (Cty/Hwy) | 18/24 | 17/22 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL Trims | SE | Limited Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL Maximum Trailering Capacity | 2,000 lbs. | 2,000 lbs. |
| Engine | 3.3L V6 Gas | 3.3L V6 Gas |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo