2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is a compact crossover SUV that seats five people. It sits between the Tucson and the Palisade in Hyundai's lineup of SUVs. The Santa Fe is bigger than the Tucson with more room for cargo. It's also smaller and more maneuverable than the large Palisade.

This small SUV offers great performance and plenty of standard features. This includes a lot of driver-assist features and other modern tech. Like most Hyundai vehicles, the Santa Fe is very affordable but also of excellent quality. Hyundai has really upped their game over the last few years.

The Santa Fe is an adventurous SUV with legitimate off-road capabilities. It offers a number of engine choices. Hyundai even offers hybrid and plugin-hybrid models of the Santa Fe. The automaker lists the hybrid versions of the Santa Fe as separate vehicles with their own unique trim levels.

The gasoline-powered version of the Santa Fe comes in five different trim levels. This article will give a brief overview of each trim. Every model will be compared to see what each has to offer. For potential buyers who are exploring the Santa Fe, this will hopefully assist them in making their decision.

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Compare the SE vs SEL Trims. What Is the Difference?

The base model of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is called the SE. For just a bit more, the buyer can upgrade to the SEL level that comes with a few more nice perks. Both models come equipped with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower with 181 pound-feet of torque. Both models also get an 8-speed automatic transmission with Hyundai's SHIFTRONIC technology for smooth and accurate shifting.

The Santa Fe SE and SEL trim levels are front-wheel drive vehicles, though Hyundai does offer optional HTRAC all-wheel drive. This greatly enhances the Santa Fe's off-road potential. There's a driver-mode select that alters the automatic shifting points for different driving conditions. This five-passenger crossover SUV is constructed with a high-strength steel unibody.

All models of the Santa Fe have MacPherson struts up front with with gas-filled dampers and a stabilizer bar. The rear suspension consists of a multi-link suspension with a second stabilizer bar and gas shock absorbers. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels are standard for most of the models. Hyundai also offers a number of options for different wheel designs. They offer a number of different sizes such as 19-inch and 20-inch wheels as well.

Both of these trim levels have the ability to tow around 1,650 pounds. This can be expanded up to 2,000 pounds with the optional trailer-brake add-on. All trim levels offer around 36.4 cubic-feet of cargo space when the seats are all being used. With the rear seats folded down, this can be increased up to 72.1 cubic-feet of space. The Santa Fe has around 111.5 cubic-feet of passenger volume.

The SE and SEL both get LED headlights and taillights. LED daytime running lights are standard as well. The SEL gets integrated LED turn signals for the side mirrors. There are variable intermittent windshield wipers with two speeds up front and a rear intermittent wiper and washer in the back. The SEL gets the option for a panoramic sunroof and a smart liftgate with hands-free operation.

Both models of the Santa Fe offer stain-resistant cloth upholstery on the inside. The SEL can be upgraded to upholstery with leather trim. The SE gets a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat while the SEL comes with an 8-way driver's seat. The SEL seat also comes with 2-way power lumbar support. The rear seats have a 60/40 split-folding setup with a reclining feature and some comfortable head rests.

The SE model gets a bare-bones infotainment system. There's an 8-inch color touchscreen and an AM/FM stereo. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is included for both trim levels. Bluetooth technology allows for easy streaming of one's favorite music. There's a hands-free phone system onboard here too.

While the SEL basically has the same audio and multimedia setup, it does come with the option for some upgrades here. The audio can be swapped out for a premium system by Harman Kardon, complete with 12 speakers. This stereo also features Clari-Fi Music-Restoration Technology and QuantumLogic Surround. The SEL automatically gets an HD radio upgrade over the basic SE stereo.

The SEL comes with Proximity Key Entry and Push-Button Start. It also offers optional LED ambient lighting on the inside. When it comes to safety, all trim levels get an advanced airbag system and an anti-lock brake system with 4-wheel disc brakes. Every trim level also comes with Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control and Brake Assist.

There's a Tire-Pressure Monitoring System onboard for all models as well as Hillstart-Assist Control. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane-Keeping Assist are standard. The SEL trim level adds on Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. Hyundai has packed a lot of high-tech driver-assist features into the Santa Fe.

Some other notable additions to the SEL trim level include a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and roof rails for some extra storage space. The performance stats and handling are basically identical here. The base-level engine gets around 25 miles-per-gallon in the city and 28-miles-per-gallon on the highway.

Compare the SEL vs XRT Trims. What is the difference?

There isn't a lot to say about the XRT trim level. For the most part, it adds on some cosmetic extras. These work to toughen up the Santa Fe's exterior style with a more sleek and aggressive look. There's some new trim that's exclusive to the XRT. This model gets its own unique set of 18-inch wheels with a darkened finish.

The XRT also gets roof-rack cross rails and body-colored door handles. The engine, drivetrain and transmission system are all the same here. Once again, there are two trim levels that offer the same performance and capabilities for the most part. The safety features and infotainment system are basically the same here as well.

The XRT gets Hyundai's Convenience Package which comes with a whole bunch of nice features. There's a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The smart liftgate that was only optional for the SEL now comes standard on the XRT. Integrated LED turn signals for the exterior mirrors are now added on automatically as well.

Dual automatic temperature control allows for separate settings for the driver and front passenger inside of the XRT. This trim level also gets an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The second-row seats are easier to fold down in the XRT, thanks to the power release.

Compare the XRT vs Limited Trims. What is the difference?

The Limited trim level is the first model to offer a performance upgrade. The power is significantly increased here thanks to the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This turbocharged version of the engine can now crank out 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This added power can easily be felt and greatly increases the acceleration and top speed of the Santa Fe.

The Limited trim level gets the Convenience Package like the XRT trim. It also gets the Premium Package with features like an 8-way power passenger's seat, leather-trim upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. The Limited gets the excellent upgraded audio system from Harmon Kardon too. The Limited also gets an upgraded 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system.

A built-in navigation system gets added on to the infotainment system of the Limited. Ventilation is added to the front seats while heating gets added to the rear seats. Heating is of course still present up front. Hyundai's surround-view camera system makes parking in tight spots easier than ever. There's even an Automated Parking System to assist further with those tight and tricky situations.

The Limited trim level also gets a Blind-spot Camera. This camera gives a live display of the vehicle's blind-spots right in the digital cluster within easy view of the driver. This feature kicks on automatically when the driver changes lanes. Highway Driving Assist is yet another high-tech driving-assist feature added on here.

Even though the Limited offers more horsepower under the hood, it's also more efficient with fuel than the previous trim levels. The Limited has an EPA estimated combined fuel-economy rating of 28-miles-per-gallon. There's no reason to prefer the base engine over this superior choice. The Limited offers quite a lot for only a small price increase over the XRT trim level.

Compare the Limited vs Calligraphy. What is the difference?

The Calligraphy model is downright luxurious with everything that Hyundai has to offer thrown into it. It again comes with the turbocharged engine that first appeared on the Limited models. Both vehicles have the same horsepower, torque and steering dynamics. Both come with front-wheel drive while offering optional all-wheel drive. Both models get an upgraded 8-speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission, again with Hyundai's SHIFTRONIC technology.

On the outside, the Calligraphy comes with some new exclusive trim and a set of 20-inch wheels. On the inside, there's fine-leather upholstery with some exceptional-quality stitch work. A fancy heads-up display projects important driver information right onto the windshield where it will be easier to view. The interior also features a faux-suede headliner and ambient interior lighting.

The Calligraphy comes equipped with the Convenience and Premium Packages just like the Limited, with all of the features that those packages entail. The safety features are almost identical here when comparing the Limited and Calligraphy trim levels. The leather-wrapped steering wheel gets upgraded with some finer-quality perforated leather. All of the power windows get an auto up/down feature in the front and in the rear for this top trim level.

There's not much more to say about the Calligraphy trim package. It adds on a few luxury perks for a reasonable increase in price. They're all nice features to have, but there isn't much that would be essential here for most buyers. While it's only a modest price increase for the Calligraphy, the Limited may be a better overall value.

Which Trim to Choose?

Few owners would have buyer's remorse for selecting any of the Santa Fe models. Even the base trim level is simply a fantastic compact SUV. Every model is an attractive vehicle with a comfortable interior and great performance. For most buyers, the Limited may be the best choice. It comes equipped with the most powerful engine, the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder.

Not only does the Limited trim level offer the best performance of the bunch, but it also comes well equipped with tons of features. The Limited model is less expensive than the Calligraphy trim level, striking a nice balance between cost and features. It's the best value of the five trim levels. The Limited comes with the Convenience and Premium Packages along with some nice extras like heated seats for the rear and ventilated seats up front.