Looking for an SUV in Tomball that’s as tough as you are? Meet the new Santa Fe XRT.

This trim is built for drivers who want more than a typical crossover—it’s for those who crave rugged design, real versatility, and tech that backs it all up. Whether you’re hitting the trails or tackling your daily grind, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT delivers the goods without breaking the bank.

Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Review

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT doesn’t just look rugged—it’s built to handle whatever life throws at it. This trim adds a bold, adventurous flair to the Santa Fe lineup, giving it a unique personality that stands out from the pack. If you’ve ever thought, “I need an SUV that’s ready for more than just carpool duty,” the XRT might be calling your name. For those wondering, what does XRT stand for Hyundai?—it stands for a trim level designed for extra rugged terrain, emphasizing off-road capability and tough styling.

Exterior Design

Right off the bat, the XRT screams capability. Its boxy frame, rugged cladding, and blacked-out trim give it a tough, off-road-inspired vibe. The ground clearance is more than sufficient for handling gravel roads and light trails, while skid plates and roof rails add to its utility.

Interior Comfort and Utility

Inside, the XRT focuses on practicality and comfort. With wide second-row seats and a thoughtfully designed center console, it’s built for drivers and passengers who need function and style. Though the XRT doesn’t offer a third row, its spacious design makes it ideal for families and adventurers.

Pricing and Where It Fits

The new Santa Fe XRT starts at an MSRP of around $35,000, slotting just below the premium Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy trim. This price makes it competitive with options like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Sorento, and Honda Pilot, while maintaining its rugged appeal and everyday practicality.

Performance and Driving Experience

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT isn’t just about looks. It’s got the power and capability to back them up. Designed for versatility, it performs just as confidently on the highway as it does on rougher terrain, making it a reliable companion whether you’re heading to work or exploring off the beaten path.

Engine Options and Capability

Under the hood, the Santa Fe XRT comes with a 2.5L inline-four engine that delivers a respectable 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an Eight-speed automatic transmission, this engine offers smooth shifts and responsive acceleration. While it might not rival a high-performance SUV, it strikes a great balance for daily drivers who occasionally crave adventure.

For those seeking a little extra, the XRT also offers an available all-wheel-drive system that enhances traction on slippery or uneven terrain. Combine that with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, and you’ve got an SUV that’s more than capable of hauling small trailers, bikes, or camping gear.

Fuel Economy

Efficiency matters, and the XRT delivers respectable fuel economy. It offers 25 mpg city / 28 mpg highway in front-wheel drive. If you’re looking for even better efficiency, consider the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, which offers superior fuel economy while maintaining the versatility of the lineup.

On the Road vs. Off the Road

The XRT performs like a champ on city streets and highways, offering a comfortable ride with minimal cabin noise. Steering is precise, and the suspension does a solid job soaking up bumps, making it great for longer drives.

Off the road, the XRT’s rugged cladding, skid plates, and AWD system add confidence. While it’s not a hardcore off-roader, it handles dirt paths, gravel roads, and light off-road trails with ease, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who need reliability over extreme capability.

Fuel Efficiency

For a midsize SUV with rugged styling, the Santa Fe XRT is impressively efficient. It offers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. Opting for all-wheel drive drops those numbers slightly, but it’s still a competitive figure for its class.

Technology and Safety Features

When it comes to tech, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT proves that rugged doesn’t mean outdated. Hyundai has packed this SUV with advanced features that keep you connected, comfortable, and confident on the road. The XRT offers features like dual-zone climate control to keep everyone happy, while available extras like a wireless charging pad and heated front seats make driving in unpredictable weather a breeze. From safety to infotainment systems, the XRT punches above its price tag.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Santa Fe XRT comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to sync your smartphone for navigation, music, and calls. The system is responsive, user-friendly, and includes physical knobs for volume and tuning—a welcome touch for drivers who prefer straightforward controls.

Upgrade to the available 10.25-inch touchscreen, and you’ll unlock built-in navigation and a larger, more immersive display. Add in the available Harman Kardon premium audio system, and your road trips just got a lot more entertaining.

Advanced Safety Features: Hyundai SmartSense

One of the biggest perks of the Santa Fe XRT is its suite of advanced safety features, known as Hyundai SmartSense. These include:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Helps detect and avoid potential front-end collisions.

Lane Keeping Assist: Gently corrects steering if you drift out of your lane.

Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist: Alerts you to vehicles in your blind spot and can help steer you back.

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist: Keeps you aware of approaching traffic when reversing.

‌Highway driving Assist: This semi-autonomous feature combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering technology, keeping the SUV at a safe distance from other vehicles while maintaining your position within the lane.

Smart Cruise Control: Unlike traditional cruise control, this feature adapts to the speed of traffic ahead, automatically accelerating or decelerating to maintain a safe following distance.

Practicality and Everyday Use

An SUV isn’t just about how it looks or performs—it’s about how well it fits into your daily life. The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT is built with real-world practicality in mind, offering plenty of space, smart storage options, and features that make it a breeze for everything from school runs to weekend getaways.

Cargo Space and Storage

The Santa Fe XRT offers a generous 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Whether it’s groceries, camping gear, or luggage for a family trip, this SUV has the room you need. Bonus points go to the hands-free smart liftgate, which makes loading and unloading easier when your hands are full.

Seating Versatility

Inside, the XRT seats five comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats feature a 60/40 split-folding design, giving you flexibility to mix passengers and cargo as needed. The materials strike a balance between durability and comfort, perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Adventure-Ready Features

What really sets the XRT apart are its practical, adventure-friendly touches. Standard roof rails make it easy to mount bikes or a cargo box, while rugged skid plates offer protection on uneven terrain. These details make the XRT feel ready for whatever you’ve got planned, from a beach day to a backcountry excursion.

Maintenance, Warranty, and Resale Value

Hyundai continues to shine with its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, one of the best in the industry. Add in the 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, and you’ve got a package that takes the sting out of ownership costs.

When it comes to resale value, Hyundai vehicles tend to hold their worth well, especially with the XRT trim level offering unique appeal in the midsize SUV market.

Everyday Driving: A Balance of Fun and Function

While the XRT shines on the trail, it’s just as practical for everyday driving. The smooth ride, spacious interior, and thoughtful design make it a great option for families, commuters, and weekend warriors alike.

Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Model Years

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT continues to evolve in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 models, building on its reputation for rugged style and practical capability. Each year introduces incremental refinements that enhance its adventurous character, technology, and performance.

2023 Santa Fe XRT Review

The 2023 Santa Fe XRT established itself as a strong competitor with distinctive exterior accents and improved off-road capabilities. This model year featured rugged exterior enhancements such as skid plates, dark-finish roof rails, and matte black wheels, all of which underscore its outdoor-ready appeal. Standard technology features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto set a strong foundation for tech-savvy drivers.

2024 Santa Fe XRT Review

In 2024, Hyundai introduced subtle yet meaningful updates to the Santa Fe XRT, focusing primarily on driver comfort and advanced safety enhancements. This model year sees upgraded interior materials for greater durability and comfort, especially beneficial for adventurous families. Additional safety features, including enhancements to Hyundai SmartSense technology, offer drivers extra peace of mind both on and off the road.

2025 Santa Fe XRT Review

The 2025 Santa Fe XRT takes its adventurous appeal up a notch with improved engine efficiency and performance refinements. Hyundai optimizes its 2.5L engine, delivering smoother acceleration and slightly better fuel economy. The infotainment system also receives an update, featuring quicker response times and expanded connectivity options, further solidifying the XRT’s position as a versatile and modern SUV for Tomball drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What distinguishes the Santa Fe XRT from other Santa Fe trims?
The XRT trim offers rugged styling elements, enhanced off-road capabilities, and practical features tailored for adventurous drivers.

Does the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT have third-row seating?
No, the Santa Fe XRT is designed with two rows, seating up to five passengers comfortably.

What is the towing capacity of the Santa Fe XRT?
The Santa Fe XRT can tow up to 2,000 pounds, making it suitable for small trailers, bikes, or camping gear.

Is all-wheel drive standard on the Santa Fe XRT?
All-wheel drive is available but not standard. The base configuration comes with front-wheel drive.

How fuel-efficient is the Santa Fe XRT?
The front-wheel-drive model delivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. All-wheel-drive models slightly reduce these numbers.

What safety features come standard on the Santa Fe XRT?
Standard safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.

Your Next Adventure Starts at Tomball Hyundai

Ready to see the XRT for yourself? Stop by Tomball Hyundai today! Our friendly team is here to answer all your questions, show you the latest models, and help you schedule a test drive. Let us help you find your next adventure-ready SUV!