2026 Santa Fe XRT

Built for standard AWD, not optional AWD

Every other Santa Fe trim treats all-wheel drive as a roughly $1,800 option; the XRT skips the question entirely and comes standard with HTRAC AWD — there's no front-wheel-drive XRT to choose. That's paired with 245/60R18 all-terrain tires and dark-finish 18-inch wheels, plus 1.3 extra inches of ground clearance over the rest of the lineup. None of it turns the Santa Fe into a rock crawler, but it's a real, useful buffer for a flooded intersection after a summer storm, a grassy overflow parking field at a festival, or a dirt boat-ramp lot on a Saturday morning.

Terrain Mode, new for 2026

The XRT's headline change this year is Terrain Mode — Mud, Snow, and Sand settings that adjust throttle response and traction control for the surface underneath. Florida doesn't offer much snow, but the Sand and Mud settings are directly useful on a boat ramp, a beach access road, or a rain-softened field lot. It's a small addition on paper that matters in exactly the situations Central Florida drivers actually run into.

What else is different

Beyond the drivetrain and tires, the XRT gets its own visual identity — gloss-black mirror caps, black-anodized H badging, and an XRT rear badge — plus dual wireless device chargers (new for 2026, shared with the Limited), a C-pillar assist handle, and a 115-volt power outlet for job-site tools or camping gear. Towing capacity climbs to 4,500 pounds with trailer brakes, a real jump from the 3,500-pound rating on every other trim, which is the difference between "maybe" and "comfortably" for a mid-size boat or a small camper.

Who the XRT is actually for

Not every Lakeland buyer needs the XRT — the SEL covers most on-road, in-town needs for less money. The XRT earns its price for households that regularly tow, that park on grass or dirt for events and sports, or that just want more margin under the car when a Central Florida downpour turns a parking lot into standing water. It's the practical trim, not the luxury one — that's what separates it from the Limited and Calligraphy above it.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the 2026 Santa Fe XRT?

$42,040 MSRP plus the $1,600 destination charge, before Florida sales tax, tag, and title fees.

Does the XRT come in front-wheel drive?

No. The XRT is AWD-only — it's the one trim in the lineup without a front-wheel-drive option.

What's the XRT's towing capacity?

4,500 pounds with trailer brakes, the highest rating in the 2026 Santa Fe lineup — 1,000 pounds more than the SE, SEL, Limited, or Calligraphy.

What is Terrain Mode?

A new-for-2026 drive-mode feature with Mud, Snow, and Sand settings that adjust throttle and traction control for the surface. It's the XRT's standout addition this model year.

Is the XRT worth the extra cost over the SEL?

If towing, standard AWD, or extra ground clearance matter to how you use the vehicle, yes — it's built for exactly that. If your driving is mostly pavement, the SEL delivers similar comfort for roughly $4,450 less.

The bottom line

The XRT is the Santa Fe for buyers who tow, haul, or just want more clearance and traction margin than the rest of the lineup offers — a genuinely useful trim in a state where summer storms turn parking lots into shallow lakes with no warning.