Only the Santa Fe Hybrid does, and it seats up to 7. The gas 2.5L turbo Santa Fe is two-row, five-passenger only, on every trim.
The Short Version
This is the one Santa Fe question where the powertrain decides the answer. Shoppers usually find that out on the lot. Here it is before you drive over.
Seats up to 7 passengers. The 1.6L turbo hybrid is the only Santa Fe you can order with a third row, and it is EPA-rated at up to 36 mpg combined.
Two rows, five seats, every trim from SE to Calligraphy. What it gives back is 277 hp and a 3,500 lb tow rating, rising to 4,500 lbs on the XRT.
Seating by Trim
On the hybrid, the second row is what sets the passenger count. A bench gives you seven seats. Captain's chairs give you six and a walk-through aisle to the back.
| Trim | Drive | Second Row | Third Row | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE Hybrid | FWD standard | Bench | Available | Up to 7 |
| SEL Hybrid | FWD, AWD available | Bench | Available | Up to 7 |
| Limited Hybrid | HTRAC AWD standard | Captain's chairs standard | Available | 6 |
| Calligraphy Hybrid | HTRAC AWD standard | Captain's chairs standard | Available | 6 |
Configurations vary by build. Call to confirm what is on the ground before you make the drive.
| Trim | Drive | Second Row | Third Row | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | FWD standard | Bench | Not offered | 5 |
| SEL | FWD, AWD available | Bench | Not offered | 5 |
| XRT | HTRAC AWD standard | Bench | Not offered | 5 |
| Limited | HTRAC AWD standard | Bench | Not offered | 5 |
| Calligraphy | HTRAC AWD standard | Bench | Not offered | 5 |
The gas Santa Fe is a five-seat SUV in every configuration. If you need seven seats and the gas engine, the Palisade is the vehicle to look at.
What the Third Row Is Actually Good For
It is a real third row with real seatbelts, and it is sized the way third rows in midsize SUVs are sized. Kids fit fine. Adults fit for a trip across town. Two adults from Durham to Wrightsville Beach is asking a lot of it.
The honest way to use it: five seats most days, seven when the carpool runs long or the grandparents are in from out of town. That describes a lot of families around Southpoint and Hope Valley, and it is exactly the job this row does well.
Second-row captain's chairs on Limited Hybrid and Calligraphy Hybrid make the back row much easier to reach. You walk between the chairs instead of tipping and sliding a bench. The trade is one seat, since captain's chairs make the vehicle a six-seater.
Cargo Behind the Third Row
This is the number people forget to ask about, and it decides more purchases than the seat count does. With all three rows up, you have 14.6 cu ft behind the back row. That is groceries and backpacks. It is not seven people's luggage.
Santa Fe Hybrid or Palisade
If the third row is loaded most days, the Palisade is the better SUV and we will tell you that on the lot. It is larger, its back row is built for full-time use, and it does not ask you to choose between passengers and cargo.
The Santa Fe Hybrid wins when the third row is occasional and the commute is daily. 36 mpg combined in front-wheel drive is a different monthly fuel bill on an I-40 or 15-501 commute, and a midsize footprint is easier to live with in the Ninth Street and Brightleaf decks.
Towing changes the answer again. The hybrid is rated at 2,000 lbs. If you pull a trailer, read our Santa Fe towing capacity breakdown before you settle on a powertrain.
Sit in it first. Every family measures a third row differently, and no spec sheet settles it. Bring the car seats and the kids to 4507 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd and put them in the back row. Hyundai's Flexible Test Drive also lets you take a longer look. Ask us how it works.
Sources: Hyundai's official Santa Fe Hybrid compare-specs page and Santa Fe compare-specs page. Fuel economy figures from fueleconomy.gov.
Santa Fe Seating Questions We Get in Durham
Does the Hyundai Santa Fe have a third row?
Only the Santa Fe Hybrid does. On the 2026 Santa Fe, three-row seating is available on the hybrid and seats up to 7 passengers. The gas 2.5L turbo Santa Fe is two-row, five-passenger only, on every trim from SE to Calligraphy.
How many people does the Santa Fe seat?
Five in the gas model. In the hybrid it depends on the second row. SE Hybrid and SEL Hybrid can be configured with a second-row bench for 7 passengers. Limited Hybrid and Calligraphy Hybrid come standard with second-row captain's chairs, which makes them 6-passenger.
Is the Santa Fe third row big enough for adults?
It is a genuine third row, not a jump seat, but it is sized for kids and for adults on shorter trips. Think carpool to Southwest Elementary or a run down to Chapel Hill, not four adults from Durham to the Outer Banks. Sit in it before you buy. We will let you take as long as you need.
How much cargo space is behind the third row?
14.6 cu ft behind the third row on the hybrid. Fold that row down and you get 40.5 cu ft, and folding both rows opens up 79.6 cu ft. The 14.6 figure is about a week of groceries or a couple of soft duffels, not a family's luggage for a week.
Should I get the Santa Fe or the Palisade for three rows?
If the third row gets used every day, drive the Palisade. It is the larger three-row SUV and its back row is built for full-time use. The Santa Fe Hybrid is the right call when the third row is occasional, you want 36 mpg combined, and you would rather park a midsize SUV in the Brightleaf and Ninth Street decks.
Can I get a third row and all-wheel drive?
Yes. HTRAC all-wheel drive is available on SEL Hybrid and standard on Limited Hybrid and Calligraphy Hybrid. Keep in mind that the Limited and Calligraphy come standard with captain's chairs, so the seven-seat configuration and standard AWD do not land on the same trim. Call us and we will sort out which build matches what you need.
Bring the Car Seats
We are on Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, minutes from US 15-501 and an easy drive from Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville and west Raleigh. Third-row shopping goes faster when the whole family is in the car.
Sport Durst Hyundai
4507 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707
Sales: (919) 873-4783
Sales hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Sunday, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Start with Santa Fe Hybrid inventory, compare it against the Palisade, or value your trade before you come in. You can also get pre-approved online.
Seven Seats and 36 MPG, or Five Seats and 277 HP
The Santa Fe answers both questions well. It just answers them with two different powertrains. Come drive them back to back and the choice makes itself in about fifteen minutes.
Seating and cargo configurations vary by trim and build. EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary with how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age and condition, and other factors. Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution. Vehicles shown may differ from the trim level associated with any specific offer. See dealer for complete details.
