The 2025 Santa Fe comes in five trim levels, each adding features and capability as you move up

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is a three-row midsize SUV available in SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy, and XRT trims. Each step up adds comfort, technology, and safety features rather than changing the engine or basic structure. The SE is the entry point with essential features; the XRT is the newest addition, focused on all-terrain styling and capability. Most buyers choose between SEL and Limited, where you get meaningful upgrades without paying for luxury features you may not want.

All Santa Fe models use the same 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. You can choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive on any trim. The real differences lie in interior materials, technology packages, safety systems, and what comes standard versus optional.

Key Takeaways

  • The SE trim includes the essentials—backup camera, six-speaker audio, and basic safety features—and is the least expensive way into a new Santa Fe.
  • SEL and Limited trims are where most features cluster; SEL adds a touchscreen and wireless charging, while Limited brings leather seats and a panoramic sunroof.
  • The Calligraphy trim targets luxury buyers with premium leather, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a Bose sound system.
  • XRT is the newest trim, emphasizing rugged styling with all-terrain tires, skid plates, and a raised suspension, but with fewer luxury features than Calligraphy.
  • All-wheel drive costs the same across trims and is worth considering if you live where winter weather or unpaved roads are common.

SE: The baseline Santa Fe and what it includes

The SE is the starting configuration and covers the core needs of a family SUV. It comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, a backup camera, and Hyundai's SmartSense suite of driver-information features including forward collision warning, lane-keeping information, and automatic emergency braking. Seating is cloth, and the third row is tight but usable for children or occasional adult passengers.

The SE does not include wireless phone charging, a panoramic sunroof, or heated seats. If you plan to keep the vehicle long-term and drive in cold climates, you may find heated seats worth the upgrade to SEL. The SE's eight-inch touchscreen is functional but smaller than what you get in higher trims, and there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration—you rely on Bluetooth audio streaming or the car's native system.

SEL and Limited: Where most features live

The SEL adds an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, and a power driver's seat. The interior materials remain cloth, and the ride quality is identical to the SE because the suspension and engine are unchanged. For many buyers, the SEL represents the best value because you gain connectivity and comfort features that matter in daily driving without jumping to the price of the Limited.

The Limited trim brings leather seating surfaces, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that replaces the traditional analog gauges. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, and the interior trim pieces shift from matte plastic to a softer material. Heated rear seats come standard on Limited, and you get a power-adjustable passenger seat. The Limited also includes Hyundai's SmartSense Plus package, which adds highway driving information and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Calligraphy: The luxury-focused configuration

Calligraphy is Hyundai's premium trim and targets buyers who want the Santa Fe to feel more like a luxury vehicle. It includes nappa leather seats (not just seating surfaces), a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers, a head-up display that projects speed and navigation onto the windshield, and ambient interior lighting with multiple color options. The panoramic sunroof is standard, as is the power liftgate and all the safety features from Limited.

Calligraphy adds a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable passenger seat with memory settings. The interior trim is genuine wood or metallic accents depending on the color package you choose. If you spend significant time in the car and value materials and sound quality, Calligraphy justifies its price. However, it does not change how the Santa Fe drives or how much cargo space you have—those are determined by the platform and trim level, not by leather or ambient lighting.

XRT: The newest trim with all-terrain focus

The XRT is new for 2025 and represents Hyundai's answer to buyers who want SUV capability and rugged styling without the luxury features of Calligraphy. It sits between Limited and Calligraphy in price but emphasizes different priorities. XRT includes all-terrain tires (all-season tires on SE through Limited), underbody skid plates to protect the engine and transmission, and a slightly raised suspension for additional ground clearance.

XRT styling includes a unique grille, roof rails, and body cladding that gives it a more aggressive appearance. Inside, it has the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but cloth seating rather than leather. It includes heated front seats and a power driver's seat. If you use your Santa Fe for light off-road driving, unpaved roads, or straightforward want the appearance of capability, XRT delivers that without the cost of Calligraphy's luxury features. However, the raised suspension and all-terrain tires do slightly reduce fuel economy compared to other trims.

Engine, transmission, and drivetrain options across all trims

Every 2025 Santa Fe uses the same 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. There is no V6 option, no hybrid, and no plug-in hybrid for 2025. The engine produces 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, which is sufficient for highway merging and towing up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy is rated at approximately 26 miles per gallon city and 32 highway with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive reduces highway economy by about 1 mile per gallon.

Front-wheel drive is standard on all trims. All-wheel drive is available on every configuration and costs the same regardless of trim level. All-wheel drive sends power to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip, which improves traction in snow, rain, and on unpaved surfaces. If you live in a region with winter weather or frequently drive on gravel roads, all-wheel drive is worth the cost. In dry climates with paved roads, front-wheel drive is sufficient and saves fuel.

Technology and safety features by trim

All Santa Fe models include Hyundai's SmartSense suite: forward collision warning, lane-keeping information, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. These systems work at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic. SE and SEL include these features but not the enhanced SmartSense Plus package that comes on Limited and higher trims.

SmartSense Plus adds highway driving information (which can steer and adjust speed on highways with clear lane markings), blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Calligraphy and XRT include SmartSense Plus as standard. All trims include a backup camera; Limited and above add a 360-degree camera system that shows a bird's-eye view of the vehicle when parking. The head-up display on Calligraphy projects speed, navigation directions, and warnings onto the windshield so you do not have to look down at the instrument cluster.

Interior space and seating across configurations

The Santa Fe seats up to seven passengers across three rows. The first two rows are spacious and comfortable on all trims; the third row is best suited for children or occasional use by adults on shorter trips. Legroom in the third row is approximately 28 inches, which is tight for adults over six feet tall. Cargo space behind the third row is 36.4 cubic feet; with the third row folded, you have 72.1 cubic feet; with both rear rows folded, you get 144.9 cubic feet.

The difference between trims is material quality and comfort features, not layout or space. Leather seats on Limited and Calligraphy are easier to clean than cloth but do not change how many people fit or how much luggage you can carry. Power-adjustable seats on higher trims allow you to find a more comfortable driving position, which matters on long trips. The panoramic sunroof on Limited and Calligraphy makes the cabin feel more open but reduces headroom slightly and adds weight that slightly reduces fuel economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between XRT and Limited?

XRT emphasizes all-terrain styling and capability with all-terrain tires, skid plates, and a raised suspension. Limited focuses on comfort and luxury with leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a Bose audio system. XRT has cloth seats; Limited has leather. Both include the same engine and safety features, but XRT is better for rough roads and Limited is better for highway comfort.

Should I get all-wheel drive on the Santa Fe?

All-wheel drive improves traction in snow, rain, and on unpaved roads. If you live where winter weather is common or drive on gravel regularly, it is worth the cost. In dry climates with paved roads, front-wheel drive is sufficient and saves fuel. All-wheel drive costs the same on every trim level.

Is the third row usable for adults?

The third row has about 28 inches of legroom, which is tight for adults over six feet tall. It works well for children and is acceptable for adults on short trips. If you regularly carry six or seven adults, the Santa Fe may not be the best fit—consider a larger three-row SUV like the Hyundai Palisade.

Does the 2025 Santa Fe come as a hybrid?

No. The 2025 Santa Fe uses only the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Hyundai does not offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version for this model year. If fuel economy is your priority, front-wheel drive with the standard engine is the most efficient configuration available.

What is included in SmartSense Plus?

SmartSense Plus adds highway driving information (which can steer and adjust speed on highways), blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It comes standard on Limited, Calligraphy, and XRT trims. SE and SEL include the basic SmartSense suite but not the Plus package.