The 2026 Santa Fe XRT tows up to 4,500 lbs. Every other gas trim is rated at 3,500 lbs, and the Santa Fe Hybrid is rated at 2,000 lbs, each when properly equipped with trailer brakes.
Tow Rating by Trim
Two powertrains, two very different answers. The gas 2.5L turbo is the one that tows. The hybrid trades pulling power for 36 mpg combined, and the gap between them is 1,500 lbs at the low end and 2,500 lbs at the top.
| Trim | Drive | Powertrain | Max Towing |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE | FWD standard | 2.5L Turbo I4, 277 hp | 3,500 lbs |
| SEL | FWD, AWD available | 2.5L Turbo I4, 277 hp | 3,500 lbs |
| XRT | HTRAC AWD standard | 2.5L Turbo I4, 277 hp | 4,500 lbs |
| Limited | HTRAC AWD standard | 2.5L Turbo I4, 277 hp | 3,500 lbs |
| Calligraphy | HTRAC AWD standard | 2.5L Turbo I4, 277 hp | 3,500 lbs |
The XRT is the only Santa Fe rated above 3,500 lbs. Highlighted row is the highest tow rating in the lineup.
| Trim | Drive | Powertrain | Max Towing |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE Hybrid | FWD standard | 1.6L Turbo HEV, 231 hp | 2,000 lbs |
| SEL Hybrid | FWD, AWD available | 1.6L Turbo HEV, 231 hp | 2,000 lbs |
| Limited Hybrid | HTRAC AWD standard | 1.6L Turbo HEV, 231 hp | 2,000 lbs |
| Calligraphy Hybrid | HTRAC AWD standard | 1.6L Turbo HEV, 231 hp | 2,000 lbs |
There is no XRT Hybrid. The hybrid lineup runs four trims, and all four carry the same 2,000 lb rating.
What Those Numbers Actually Pull
A tow rating on a spec sheet is a ceiling, not a target. The number that matters is your trailer loaded, with fuel in the tank, water in the tank, and the cooler already packed. That figure is routinely 400 to 700 lbs above the dry weight printed on the trailer sticker.
At 3,500 lbs, the gas Santa Fe handles a 17 to 19 foot runabout on a single-axle trailer, a pair of personal watercraft, a small pop-up, or a 6x12 utility trailer with a mower and yard debris. That covers most of what backs down the ramps at Jordan Lake and Falls Lake on a Saturday morning.
At 4,500 lbs, the XRT moves up a class. A small hard-side travel trailer, a two-place enclosed cargo trailer, or a heavier bass boat comes into range. The XRT also arrives with HTRAC all-wheel drive standard and, new for 2026, Mud, Snow and Sand drive modes, which matter more on a wet clay boat ramp than most people expect.
Why the Hybrid Tows Less
The Santa Fe Hybrid pairs a 1.6L turbo four with an electric motor for 231 hp and 271 lb-ft. The gas 2.5L turbo makes 277 hp and 311 lb-ft and runs an 8-speed automatic against the hybrid's 6-speed. More torque and more gears is the whole story. The hybrid answers back with an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined in front-wheel drive against 24 combined for the gas model, so the choice is a real trade rather than a better-and-worse.
If you tow a few times a summer and commute the rest of the year, the hybrid's fuel numbers usually win the math. If the trailer goes out most weekends, take the gas 2.5T and take the XRT if the trailer is heavy.
Three-Row Seating Changes the Question
Three-row seating is a hybrid-only option on the Santa Fe. The gas model is two-row, five-passenger only. So a family that wants seven seats and a trailer is choosing between seats and tow rating, not adding both. Our team walks through that trade every week. If it applies to you, read our breakdown of whether the Santa Fe has a third row before you shop trims.
Before your first tow. Trailer brakes, hitch class, wiring and tongue weight all have to match the vehicle, and the published maximums above assume a properly equipped setup with trailer brakes. Bring the trailer to our service department and we will confirm the hitch and wiring against your specific rig before you load it.
Sources: Hyundai's official Santa Fe compare-specs page and Santa Fe Hybrid compare-specs page. Fuel economy figures from fueleconomy.gov.
Santa Fe Towing Questions We Get in Durham
What is the towing capacity of the Hyundai Santa Fe?
On the 2026 Santa Fe, the XRT tows up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped with trailer brakes. Every other gas trim, SE, SEL, Limited and Calligraphy, is rated at 3,500 lbs. The Santa Fe Hybrid is rated at 2,000 lbs across all four of its trims.
Which Santa Fe trim tows the most?
The XRT. It is the only Santa Fe rated at 4,500 lbs, a full 1,000 lbs above the rest of the gas lineup. The XRT comes with HTRAC all-wheel drive as standard equipment and adds Mud, Snow and Sand drive modes for MY2026.
Can the Santa Fe Hybrid tow a camper?
It can tow a small one. The Santa Fe Hybrid is rated at 2,000 lbs, which covers a teardrop camper, a single personal watercraft, or a light utility trailer. A mid-size travel trailer is out of range. If towing is the priority, the gas 2.5L turbo is the powertrain to drive.
Is the Santa Fe enough truck for a boat on Jordan Lake?
For most of what launches at Crosswinds and Vista Point, yes. A 17 to 19 foot aluminum or fiberglass runabout on a single-axle trailer usually lands between 2,200 and 3,200 lbs loaded, which sits inside the 3,500 lb gas rating. Weigh your rig with fuel, gear and water in it, not at its dry weight, before you commit.
Do I need a trailer brake controller to tow with a Santa Fe?
The published maximum ratings assume a trailer with its own brakes. North Carolina also requires brakes on trailers over a set weight. Bring the trailer to our service department at 4507 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd and we will confirm what your specific setup needs before your first tow.
Does towing hurt the Santa Fe's gas mileage?
Yes, and noticeably. The gas Santa Fe is EPA-rated at 20 city and 29 highway mpg with front-wheel drive. Pulling a loaded trailer up US 15-501 or over the grades on I-85 will cut that meaningfully. Plan fuel stops on a long haul rather than trusting the unloaded range estimate.
Come Hook One Up
We are on Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, a few minutes from US 15-501 and an easy run from Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville and west Raleigh. Bring the trailer with you. It is a lot easier to answer a towing question with the trailer in the parking lot.
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.
Ready to move on one? Start with Santa Fe inventory or compare it against the Santa Fe Hybrid. You can also value your trade or get pre-approved before you drive over.
Find the Santa Fe That Pulls What You Pull
XRT if the trailer is heavy. Gas 2.5T if you tow regularly. Hybrid if the trailer is light and the commute is long. Inventory changes weekly, so call to confirm which trims are on the ground.
Towing figures are maximum properly-equipped ratings with trailer brakes and are subject to change by the manufacturer. Actual capacity varies with configuration, options, passengers, cargo and tongue weight. Always consult the owner's manual and the vehicle door-jamb label before towing. 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. Vehicles shown may differ from the trim level associated with any specific offer.
