2026 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT: Lakeland Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 Santa Fe XRT
The XRT starts at $42,040 MSRP before the $1,600 destination charge and is the only Santa Fe trim sold exclusively with HTRAC all-wheel drive, there's no front-wheel-drive version. It runs the same 277-horsepower engine as every other trim but wears 245/60R18 all-terrain tires that add 1.3 inches of ground clearance, gains a new-for-2026 Terrain Mode with Mud, Snow, and Sand settings, and tows up to 4,500 pounds with trailer brakes, a full 1,000 pounds more than any other trim. EPA estimates drop to 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined with the AWD system and all-terrain tires working harder than the standard highway rubber on other trims.
The off-road-styled Santa Fe, and what's actually new
The XRT looks the part with 18-inch dark-finish alloy wheels, gloss-black mirror caps, black-anodized badging, and a rear XRT badge, but the changes go past styling. Terrain Mode is new for 2026 and lets the driver tell the AWD system what it's dealing with, loose sand on a boat ramp, mud after a summer storm, or a slick patch, rather than leaving it to guess. Dual wireless device chargers, also new this year, join the XRT alongside the Limited. Inside, black H-Tex seating stands in for the SE's cloth or the SEL's lighter leatherette, and practical touches like a C-pillar assist handle and a 115-volt power outlet in the cargo area round out a trim built to actually get used off the pavement, not just look like it could.
The tradeoff for that capability shows up at the pump and the trailer hitch, in opposite directions. EPA estimates fall to 19/25/21 versus 20/29/24 on a front-wheel-drive SE or SEL, the price of standard AWD and grippier tires. But towing jumps to 4,500 pounds with trailer brakes, a genuine 1,000-pound advantage over every other 2026 Santa Fe trim, enough of a gap to matter for anyone actually shopping by tow rating rather than trim badge.
Built for more than the boat ramp
Central Florida doesn't offer much genuine off-roading, but the XRT's extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires earn their keep in less obvious ways: a rutted dirt access road after heavy rain, a grassy overflow parking field at a Lakeland event, or a boat ramp that's seen better days. "Bill took care of me when purchasing my new 2022 Santa Fe. He was very professional and was able to answer all my questions," wrote Jorge R. of a purchase at this location, one of a number of Santa Fe reviews here that predate the XRT's current form but reflect the same sales-floor approach buyers describe today.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Santa Fe XRT good for actual off-roading?
It's off-road-styled rather than a dedicated trail vehicle, more capable than a standard Santa Fe on dirt, mud, or a rutted access road thanks to the extra clearance and all-terrain tires, but it isn't built to compete with a body-on-frame SUV on serious rock crawling. For most Central Florida use, that's more capability than the terrain ever demands.
Why does the XRT get worse fuel economy than other trims?
Standard all-wheel drive and grippier, higher-clearance all-terrain tires both add rolling resistance and weight compared to the front-wheel-drive SE or SEL. The tradeoff is standard traction and a meaningfully higher tow rating.
Can I get the XRT with front-wheel drive to save money?
No. The XRT is the one Santa Fe trim sold exclusively with HTRAC AWD, there's no FWD configuration available at any price. Buyers who want AWD without the off-road styling can add it as an option on the SE, SEL, or Limited instead.
What's the XRT's tow rating compared to the rest of the lineup?
4,500 pounds with trailer brakes, versus 3,500 pounds on every other 2026 Santa Fe trim. It's the pick for anyone regularly towing a boat, camper, or heavier trailer.
Test the terrain settings yourself
Terrain Mode is the kind of feature that's easier to feel than to read about. Current XRT inventory is posted live, and a test drive is the fastest way to judge whether the extra clearance and all-terrain tires are worth the step up from an AWD-equipped SEL.
MSRP figures exclude the $1,600 destination charge, taxes, title, registration, and options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates; real-world mileage varies. Equipment and availability can change with configuration and production timing; confirm current specs with Lakeland Automall. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Lakeland Automall, lightly trimmed for length; reviewer names shown as first name and last initial.