The Hyundai Santa Fe XL spans 2019–2026 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 5.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2019, 2026, 2025 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2020, 2021, 2022. It delivers up to 37 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Hyundai Santa Fe XL is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2019 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Hyundai Santa Fe XL VIN — every digit explained
Every Hyundai Santa Fe XL carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Hyundai and the country it was built in (real Hyundai codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Santa Fe XL.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- South KoreaKM8 · KMF · KMH · KMT · KMU · KPH
- USA5NM · 5NP · 5NT · U5Y
- SingaporePFD
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Santa Fe XL, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Fe XL have?
The Hyundai Santa Fe XL has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2019–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
What's wrong. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Best and worst years for the Hyundai Santa Fe XL
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 8 tracked years, the worst years are 2019, 2026, 2025 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2020, 2021, 2022.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Santa Fe XL | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2020 Santa Fe XL | — | Best | |
| 2021 Santa Fe XL | — | Best | |
| 2022 Santa Fe XL | — | Best | |
| 2023 Santa Fe XL | — | Average | |
| 2024 Santa Fe XL | — | Average | |
| 2025 Santa Fe XL | — | Avoid | |
| 2026 Santa Fe XL | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Hyundai Santa Fe XL problems?
The most-reported Hyundai Santa Fe XL problems are Engine (9 reports), Steering (1 reports) and Hydraulic (3 reports) — out of 25 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Hyundai Santa Fe XL specifications & dimensions
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL measures 193″ long on a 110″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,339 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Hyundai Santa Fe XL window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 193″ | 74″ | 67″ | 110″ | 4,339 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Hyundai Santa Fe XL cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Santa Fe XL holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 99 cu ft of passenger volume and 22 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Hyundai Santa Fe XL tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Hyundai Santa Fe XL get?
The Hyundai Santa Fe XL returns up to 37 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,700/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL (3.3L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 432 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10, smog 3/10) — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Santa Fe XL | 18 | 25 | $2,950 | 432 | 3/10 | 3.3L 6-cyl |
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe XL (1.6L 4-cyl) gets 31 mpg combined and costs about $2,000/yr to fuel, emitting 288 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10) — that's about $1,000 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa Fe XL | 28 | 35 | $2,000 | 288 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 Santa Fe XL | 32 | 41 | $1,750 | 246 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 Santa Fe XL | 32 | 41 | $1,750 | 246 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 Santa Fe XL | 33 | 42 | $1,700 | 245 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 Santa Fe XL | 33 | 41 | $1,750 | 248 | 3/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 Santa Fe XL | 33 | 41 | $1,750 | 248 | 3/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 Santa Fe XL | 33 | 41 | $1,750 | 248 | 3/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Santa Fe XL stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Santa Fe XL's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Hyundai Santa Fe XL have? Power & range
The Hyundai Santa Fe XL is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.3L 6-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.3L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Hyundai Santa Fe XL cost to own?
A used Hyundai Santa Fe XL sells for a median of about $17,594 for a 2019 — most listed between $12,994 and $19,999, from 12 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Santa Fe XL | $12,994–$19,999 | 4 | |
| 2018 Santa Fe XL | $9,995–$13,000 | 8 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Santa Fe XL is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Hyundai Santa Fe XL depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Santa Fe XL loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $8,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Santa Fe XL ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Hyundai Santa Fe XL to insure?
A Hyundai Santa Fe XL costs about $1,447 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 1% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (101, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Santa Fe XL's HLDI loss index. See Hyundai insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe XL safe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe XL earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Santa Fe XL | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
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How many miles does a Hyundai Santa Fe XL last?
A well-maintained Hyundai Santa Fe XL typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 5.0/5.
Check your Hyundai Santa Fe XL’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Santa Fe XL’s VIN free →All Hyundai Santa Fe XL model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Hyundai Santa Fe XL — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa Fe XL | 0 | — | |
| 2025 Santa Fe XL | 0 | — | |
| 2024 Santa Fe XL | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Santa Fe XL | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Santa Fe XL | 0 | — | |
| 2021 Santa Fe XL | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Santa Fe XL | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Santa Fe XL | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Santa Fe XL?
By owner-complaint volume, 2019, 2026, 2025 drew the most reports. 2020, 2021, 2022 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Santa Fe XL have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2019–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Hyundai recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Santa Fe XL get?
Up to 37 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Santa Fe XL safe?
The Santa Fe XL earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Santa Fe XL last?
A well-maintained Santa Fe XL typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Santa Fe XL reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Santa Fe XL is 5.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Hyundai Santa Fe XL warranty?
New Hyundai models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Hyundai dealer.
Where is the Hyundai Santa Fe XL made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Santa Fe XL's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Hyundai may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Santa Fe XL have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.