Tested: 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Lives in the Palisade's Shadow
Key takeaways
- Updated for 2026 with a new eight-speed automatic, the nonhybrid Santa Fe gets slower but more fuel efficient.
- View exterior photos Andi Hendrick|Car and Driver Hyundai has not one, but two mid-size three-row SUVs.
- For 2026, Hyundai is fixing the current-generation Santa Fe's most egregious shortcoming: the nonhybrid model's dual-clutch automatic transmission, which has proved to be a headache for Hyundai.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
Updated for 2026 with a new eight-speed automatic, the nonhybrid Santa Fe gets slower but more fuel efficient.
View exterior photos Andi Hendrick|Car and Driver Hyundai has not one, but two mid-size three-row SUVs. The Palisade is the one making headlines lately with a redesign that amped up its luxury credentials dramatically. Still, the slightly smaller Santa Fe deserves its flowers for its more value-oriented approach and a boxier appearance aimed squarely at buyers who want a rugged look.
For 2026, Hyundai is fixing the current-generation Santa Fe's most egregious shortcoming: the nonhybrid model's dual-clutch automatic transmission, which has proved to be a headache for Hyundai. While the hybrid model has always offered a relatively unproblematic six-speed automatic, the nonhybrid's dual-clutch gearbox had been recalled for repeated defects, with some customers requiring replacement transmissions.