What engine does the Hyundai Santa Fe have varies by year, with options including a 2.5L inline-4, a turbocharged 2.5L, and hybrid engines. Older models also offered a 2.4L inline-4 and 3.3L V6 engines.
The Hyundai Santa Fe engine range has evolved greatly since the original introduction of the model in the year 2000. Santa Fe is a midsize SUV, which has also been known as a great value, offering a comfortable ride and power. Hyundai has provided different types of engines to suit the evolving customer requirements – four-cylinder engines that are naturally aspirated and turbo charged engines and hybrid engines.
You may be interested in purchasing a new Hyundai Santa Fe or you are just interested in knowing more about the engine options available in the car, this guide will give you a clear picture of the engine options available in the different generations. We will also be responding to some of the most popular queries about the engine of the Santa Fe performance, efficiency and so on.
Contents
Generation-By-Generation Engine Options
Since the release of the Hyundai Santa Fe, the car has gone through a number of generations with each generation being equipped with an engine option. To make you grasp the development of Hyundai engine options, we will dissect the engine options offered in the various generations of the Santa Fe.
First Generation (2001-2006)
The entry mode of Hyundai in midsize SUV was the first generation Santa Fe. The Santa Fe was introduced in 2001 with good engineering and reliability, and lesser engine choices than subsequent models. The engine choices have been designed to give a good balance between fuel efficiency and performance.
2.4-Liter Inline-4 Engine (2001-2006)
The original Santa Fe had an inline-4 engine with a capacity of 2.4 litre. This was a naturally aspirated engine that was paired with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. It produced an approximate of 140 horsepower and 160 lb ft of torque. This engine could be used in daily driving and was decent in fuel economy hence a cost effective option to the consumers who sought a basic SUV.
2.7-Liter V6 Engine (2001-2006)
In higher trims, the 2.7 liter V6 engine could be obtained by those who desire more power. This engine had a horsepower of 175 and a torque of 180 lb-ft and this resulted in the ability to accelerate more smoothly and tow better than the 2.4L four-cylinder. It was paired with a 4 speed auto transmission and either front wheel drive (FWD) or all wheel drive (AWD).
- Engine Type: Naturally Aspirated V6
- Horsepower: 175 hp
- Torque: 180 lb-ft
- Transmission Choices: 4-Speed automatic.
- Fuel Economy: 20-25 mpg
The original Santa Fe was a ground level model in the SUV market and fuel economy and additional power was the choice of those that require it.
Second Generation (2007-2012)
In 2007, Hyundai Santa Fe second-generation was released, and the design, performance, and overall features were greatly modified. More powerful engines were introduced in this generation but there was an option of using a V6 engine that has stronger torque and horsepower.
2.4-Liter Inline-4 Engine (2007-2012)
The second-generation Santa Fe still used a 2.4-liter inline-4 as the base engine, except that the engine was performance-tuned and made more fuel-efficient. This engine gave a power of about 175 horsepower and 169 lb ft of torque. Some of the models had it mated to a 5 speed automatic or 6 speed manual transmission.
- Type of Engine: Inline 4, Naturally Aspirated.
- Horsepower: 175 hp
- Torque: 169 lb-ft
- Transmission: 5 speed auto 6 speed manual.
- Fuel Economy: 20-28 mpg
3.3-Liter V6 Engine (2007-2012)
Higher trims offered the 3.3 liter V6 engine to drivers that desired more power. This engine had 242 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque, which was significantly more than the V6 engine that the previous generation had. The 3.3L V6 was ideal to meet the requirements of people who required more towing power and to have a more sophisticated driving experience.
- Engine: V6, Naturally Aspirated.
- Horsepower: 242 hp
- Torque: 226 lb-ft
- Transmission: Automatic 5-speed.
- Fuel Economy: 18-25 mpg
The second generation of the Santa Fe was now attractive to more customers as the V6 came into place and it was efficient and powerful.
Third Generation (2013-2019)
The Hyundai Santa Fe was a more sophisticated and feature-advanced SUV which was launched in 2013 and was the third-generation. Hyundai made some changes in its engine line up to provide more turbocharged engines to improve performance and efficiency. The third generation was even larger than the past ones and offered more space and smoother ride.
2.4-Liter Inline-4 Engine (2013-2019)
The Santa Fe still used the 2.4-liter inline-4 as the base engine. This engine was revised to possess the power of 190 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It was equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission that was of a better performance compared to previous generations.
- Type of Engine: Inline-4 naturally aspirated.
- Horsepower: 190 hp
- Torque: 181 lb-ft
- Transmission Options: 6-Speed Automatic.
- Fuel Economy: 20-27 mpg
2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline 4 (2013-2019)
To achieve a better performance those who wished to have it were given a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4 engine in higher trims by Hyundai. This engine produced 264 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque that gave it good acceleration and better towing capabilities than the standard 2.4L engine. It was fitted with 6-speed automatic transmission and could be equipped with AWD.
- Engine Type: Inline 4, Turbocharged.
- Horsepower: 264 hp
- Torque: 269 lb-ft
- Transmissions: 6-speed automatic
- Fuel Economy: 20-27 mpg
3.3-Liter V6 Engine (2013-2019)
The 3.3 liter V6 engine was still available to those who had to have maximum power and towing capacity. This engine had a horsepower of 290 and 252 lb-ft. of torque which made the Santa Fe pull 5000 pounds maximum.
- Type of engine: V6 Naturally Aspirated.
- Horsepower: 290 hp
- Torque: 252 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Fuel Economy: 18-24 mpg
The third generation offered a good variety of engine choices starting with the more efficient and economical 2.4L 4-cylinder and the 3.3L V6 that was more powerful.
Fourth Generation (2020-2023)
The Hyundai Santa Fe was also released in 2020 as the fourth generation, and it featured numerous changes in its appearance, more technology, and a new engine lineup. The generation introduced hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid cars to address the demand of fuel-efficient vehicles.
2.5-Liter Inline-4 Engine (2020-Present)
The fourth-generation Santa Fe uses the 2.5-liter inline-4 engine as its base engine. This is a naturally aspirated engine that develops a 191 horsepower and 182 lb.-ft of torque. It is aimed at offering a decent performance and fuel economy balance hence making it a good choice by the majority of drivers.
- Engine Type: Inline-4. Naturally Aspirated
- Horsepower: 191 hp
- Torque: 182 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8 speed automatic.
- Fuel Economy: 24-28 mpg
2.5 Liter Turbocharged Inline 4 Engine 2020-Present
Hyundai offers a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine to those who desire more power. This engine has a rating of 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque; this is more than sufficient to give power to drive in the city or even on a long road trip. It is mated with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic and can be fitted with AWD.
- Type of engine: Turbocharged Inline-4.
- Horsepower: 277 hp
- Torque: 311 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8-speed Dual Clutch automatic.
- Fuel Economy: 22-28 mpg
Hybrid & Plug-In Hybrid Engines (2021-Present)
In this generation, Hyundai also made hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models of the Santa Fe. The hybrid engine is 2.5 liter engine which is a blend of a gas engine and an electric motor with a combination of 226 horsepower. The PHEV model offers the electric-only range, which makes it a great option among individuals who want to enjoy the environmentally friendly performance.
- Engine Type: Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid
- Horsepower: 226 hp (Hybrid), 261 hp (PHEV)
- Fuel Economy: 36-40 mpg (Hybrid) Electric-only range: 31 miles (PHEV)
Comparison of Engine Performance and Fuel Economy
Having mentioned the engine choices that are available on the generations of the Santa Fe, it is time to compare the performance and the fuel economy.
- Base engines: 2.4L inline-4 engine is an excellent choice when it comes to daily driving and is also very fuel-efficient, particularly in older models.
- Turbocharged engines: The 2.0L turbocharged and the 2.5L turbocharged engine offers a great increase in horsepower and torque which is good when one requires more power to merge on highways, towing or more enjoyable experiences on the road.
- V6 engines: The V6 engines are still common in the third and fourth generations, but are not as fuel-efficient as the turbocharged ones, which are still sought after in terms of maximum towing capacity and smoothness.
- Hybrid and PHEV: The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are very economical to the eco-friendly consumer, but the added advantage is the ability to drive electrically even during short-distance commuting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about Hyundai Santa Fe engine –
Which engines does the Hyundai Santa Fe 2023 have?
Santa Fe 2023 has a 2.5L inline-4, 2.5L turbocharged engine, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe powered by V6?
Yes, older models have a V6 3.3L engine between 2007 and 2019 and newer models focus on turbo charged four-cylinder engines.
What is the horsepower of 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2.5L turbocharged engine in the Santa Fe 2022 has a power of 277 horsepower and a torque of 311lb-ft.
Does Hyundai have hybrid versions of Santa Fe?
Yes, Hyundai also offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Santa Fe that have a 2.5L engine and electric motor.
What is the towing capacity of Hyundai Santa Fe?
The V6 engine of the Santa Fe has a pulling power of 5000 pounds. The towing ability of the turbocharged engines is similar.
Conclusion
The question about what engine Hyundai Santa Fe has is answered depending on the model year of the car, the car trim, and the location. Through the years, Hyundai has provided several engines, both sensible inline-4s and strong V6s and hybrids. You need fuel efficiency, towing power or eco-friendly performance, we have a Santa Fe engine that will suit you.
With the model still undergoing development, Hyundai has added more engine choices such as hybrid and turbocharged engines, thus the Santa Fe is now one of the most flexible midsize SUVs in the market. Knowledge of the engines choices will assist you in making a good decision be it when you are buying a new model or even when you are looking at a used one.
