Core summary
Current fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe (MX5) profile
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV that began production in 2000 as Hyundai's first SUV. The current fifth generation, coded MX5, was announced in July 2023 and fully unveiled the following month. It replaces the more rounded fourth-generation model with a deliberately boxy shape, a longer wheelbase and an emphasis on usable passenger and cargo space. The current vehicle is designed around three-row usability, although seating configuration and availability vary by market. Powertrain coverage is regional: the extract identifies 2.5-litre petrol and turbocharged petrol engines, a 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid. Diesel and V6 petrol engines are no longer available in this generation. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both offered across different markets. The Santa Fe therefore remains a globally varied model rather than one uniform specification.
History & generations
Hyundai introduced the Santa Fe for the 2001 model year, with the first generation initially marketed as a compact SUV. The second generation launched in 2005 and was repositioned into the mid-size SUV class after the Tucson occupied the smaller category. The third generation, introduced in 2012, divided the range into short- and long-wheelbase forms. North America used the Santa Fe Sport name for the short model, while the longer model became Santa Fe XL or related regional names. The fourth generation arrived in 2018 as a two-row successor to the North American Santa Fe Sport and introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid availability from 2020. The fifth generation was announced in 2023. It changed the design direction substantially, grew in length and wheelbase, and discontinued diesel engines as well as the V6 petrol engine used in some earlier markets. The current generation is therefore a clear evolution in size, packaging and electrification rather than a simple facelift.
First generation (SM)
Hyundai's first SUV, initially positioned as a compact crossover and offered with petrol engines, a diesel outside the United States, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Second generation (CM)
A larger, more contemporary Santa Fe that moved into the mid-size SUV class and added stronger standard safety equipment, with some markets offering a third row.
Third generation (DM/NC)
Introduced short- and long-wheelbase versions. The short model was called Santa Fe Sport in North America, while the longer version was sold as Santa Fe XL, Grand Santa Fe or Maxcruz in various markets.
Fourth generation (TM)
A two-row successor to the North American Santa Fe Sport, with optional or market-dependent third-row seating and the range's first hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains from 2020.
Fifth generation (MX5)
The current generation adopts a boxier design, a longer wheelbase and a large tailgate opening. It offers petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while dropping diesel and V6 options.
Body, platform & design
The MX5's most visible change is its boxy, upright exterior, developed to support Hyundai's stated outdoor-lifestyle objective. It is 55 mm longer than the outgoing model while retaining the same width, and its 2,815 mm wheelbase is 50 mm longer. H-shaped headlamps and tail lamps are key identifying features, with a front light bar spanning the centre of the grille. The rear lamps sit unusually low, directly above the rear bumper. This placement is linked to the wide liftgate opening: Hyundai moved the tailgate struts to preserve usable width, which required relocating the lamps downward. Angular wheel arches reinforce the squared-off profile. Hyundai reports a drag coefficient of 0.29, compared with 0.33 for the previous generation. The current generation retains the previous architecture and major suspension components, but the cooling system, component friction and other parameters were revised. The result is a design-led change accompanied by targeted engineering updates.
Engine & drivetrain
Exact availability depends on region. North America receives the 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol and 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid, with three rows of seats. Europe is hybrid-only, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and a plug-in hybrid option. Australia lists the 1.6-litre hybrid across its initial range and added the 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol in December 2024. Other markets use combinations of naturally aspirated petrol, turbocharged petrol and hybrid power. Diesel is not offered in the fifth generation, ending a powertrain choice available in earlier Santa Fe generations. The extract also reports a planned extended-range electric version, with production reported for 2026 and sales for 2027; that is a future programme rather than a current production powertrain. Transmission details are market-specific and should not be generalized beyond the cited regional descriptions.
Trim differences
Trim naming is highly market-dependent. Mexico launched the fifth generation with GLS Premium and Limited Tech, while Australia used Santa Fe, Elite and Calligraphy. New Zealand used Active, Limited and Calligraphy, and South Africa launched a sole Elite trim. The Philippines listed GLS and Calligraphy, later adding a GL variant and a hybrid Calligraphy option. Malaysia used HEV Prime, HEV Prestige and 2.5 T-GDi HTRAC Calligraphy. Indonesia launched Prime and Calligraphy, with an XRT hybrid variant added in February 2026. Vietnam used Exclusive, Prestige and Calligraphy, while Thailand initially used Exclusive and Prestige before adding Inspiration AWD in March 2026. Brunei's range included Exclusive, Prestige and Calligraphy, with six- or seven-seat distinctions. These names demonstrate that trim labels cannot be transferred reliably between countries.
Interior & seating
The current Santa Fe's interior packaging was developed around rear-seat and cargo usability. Hyundai started the design process from the rear, raising the roofline to increase second-row headroom and creating a broad tailgate opening. Reported second-row legroom is 1,075 mm for petrol variants and 1,055 mm for the hybrid. Third-row legroom is 761 mm, while third-row headroom is 958 mm; the third-row seats recline by 10 degrees. The shift lever has moved to the steering column, leaving the centre console for two wireless phone charging pads and two cupholders. A panoramic curved display combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with the infotainment screen. The vehicle is offered with six- or seven-seat configurations depending on market.
Efficiency & range
The current generation's strongest efficiency-related change is its broader electrified range. It offers a 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid and a 1.6-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid alongside petrol engines. Europe receives hybrid-only versions, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the plug-in hybrid is available there. Other markets combine hybrid power with 2.5-litre petrol or turbocharged petrol versions. The fifth-generation design also reports a drag coefficient of 0.29, improved from 0.33 for the preceding generation. That aerodynamic figure is an engineering claim, not a fuel-consumption result. Diesel has been discontinued, and the V6 petrol engine used in some previous markets is also absent. Efficiency comparisons should therefore be made within a specific market and powertrain rather than across the global Santa Fe range.
Safety & equipment
It also states that the 2025 model-year fifth-generation Santa Fe received an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. No complete current-generation safety-equipment list or full crash-test table is supplied in the extract. The current vehicle's market equipment can therefore differ by trim and country, as shown by the regional range variations. The profile records the stated IIHS result without extending it to every market or model year. Earlier-generation ratings and recalls belong to those older vehicles and should not be read as current-generation specifications. Buyers comparing versions should verify the applicable market's standard driver-assistance, restraint and child-seat equipment.
Strengths
The current Santa Fe's main strengths are its substantial packaging changes and wide choice of electrified powertrains. The longer wheelbase and higher roofline support improved passenger space, while the design of the tailgate aims to provide a particularly broad opening for loading. Three-row seating is central to the current model, although the exact six- or seven-seat arrangement varies by market. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid options give the range an alternative to conventional petrol power, and Europe receives a hybrid-focused offering. The model also retains both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive availability across different regions. The boxy exterior is not merely a styling treatment: the proportions are tied to headroom, cargo access and outdoor equipment usability. The current generation also has a reported 0.29 drag coefficient and received an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for the 2025 model year. These strengths are best understood at the global model level rather than as promises for every individual trim.
A larger, boxier current Santa Fe with broad regional powertrain variation.
Considerations
The Santa Fe's global range is unusually difficult to summarize as one fixed specification. Engines, transmissions, drive systems, seat counts and trim names differ substantially by country. A European buyer may encounter hybrid-only power, while other markets receive 2.5-litre petrol or turbocharged petrol engines. Third-row availability also varies, and some markets distinguish six-seat captain-seat layouts from seven-seat versions. The third row is described by Hyundai as best for occasional use, so its presence does not necessarily make the vehicle equivalent to a dedicated large passenger SUV. Older Santa Fe versions also used diesel and V6 engines, but those options should not be assumed to remain available. Prospective buyers should confirm the local model year, powertrain, transmission, seating layout, warranty and safety equipment before comparing prices or specifications.
Recommended use
The current Santa Fe is suited to households needing a mid-size crossover with flexible passenger and cargo space. Its three-row orientation gives it a family-transport role, while the six- or seven-seat configurations accommodate different priorities between passenger capacity and second-row access. The tailgate and rear-opening design are aimed at carrying larger items, and Hyundai developed the boxy body around an outdoor-lifestyle brief. Front-wheel drive is available in some applications, while all-wheel drive is offered in others, so traction expectations must be tied to the local version. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants broaden its suitability for buyers seeking electrification without moving to a fully electric SUV. The current Santa Fe is less suited to anyone expecting one globally consistent engine, trim structure or seating specification.
FAQ
Q: What is the current Santa Fe generation? A: The fifth generation, coded MX5, launched in 2023.
Q: How many seats does it have? A: It is offered with six- or seven-seat layouts, depending on market and version.
Q: Is the current Santa Fe available with diesel power? A: No. Diesel engines were discontinued for the fifth generation.
Q: Which electrified powertrains are available? A: The range includes a 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid and plug-in hybrid, subject to market.
Q: Is all-wheel drive standard? A: Not globally. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive availability varies by market and trim.
Q: Does every current Santa Fe have three rows? A: The current model is designed around three-row use, but seating details vary regionally.
What makes the Hyundai Santa Fe different?
A larger, boxier current Santa Fe with broad regional powertrain variation.
Who should consider it?
Family transport, long-distance travel and outdoor-oriented use
Sources & updates
Research for this Hyundai Santa Fe profile prioritized current manufacturer specifications, model-year equipment pages and official press material. Independent safety or regulatory records were used where available. Historical references were kept separate from current-generation specifications and image identification.
Equipment, pricing and certified figures can vary by market, trim and model year. The expandable reference list below contains the linked sources used for verification. Last editorial review: August 30, 2026.
- 2026 SANTA FE | The Adventurous Compact SUV | Hyundai USA · official manufacturer →
- Hyundai Santa Fe · reference overview →
Last editorial review: August 30, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.