Choose your Santa Fe seats first, then the drivetrain
Start with the second row. In the 2026 gasoline Santa Fe lineup, SE, SEL and XRT have a standard bench, while Limited and Calligraphy have standard captain’s chairs. Limited also offers a bench. That choice can narrow your search more usefully than simply moving up the trim list. Next decide whether you want front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive: XRT comes with AWD, while the other four trims offer it as an option.
Representative 2026 Santa Fe XRT AWD from an Elgin Hyundai listing. The individual trim illustrations below are Hyundai images, not vehicles offered for sale.
See each 2026 gasoline Santa Fe trim
Hyundai illustrations show the exterior of each trim. Colors and equipment may vary; these images do not show second-row seating or current dealership inventory.
A bench or captain’s chairs changes the shortlist
For a standard second-row bench, start with SE, SEL and XRT. Limited is also worth checking if you want its available bench configuration; do not assume every Limited listing has the same seats. Calligraphy has captain’s chairs and does not offer the bench in Hyundai’s US gasoline specifications.
Before comparing colors or other equipment, look at the second-row photos of the actual vehicle. Count the seating positions you expect to use and try the route to the third row with your usual passengers. The standard layout is a helpful filter, but the chosen vehicle is what you will live with.
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AWD alone does not require the XRT
XRT is the straightforward choice when you want AWD as standard: Hyundai lists no front-wheel-drive XRT. SE, SEL, Limited and Calligraphy instead have standard FWD with available HTRAC AWD. Those four can therefore remain on your shortlist when you want a different seating arrangement or equipment package with AWD.
This makes seating and drivetrain two separate decisions. For example, a shopper who wants captain’s chairs and AWD can investigate an appropriately equipped Limited or Calligraphy. Check the drivetrain on the exact listing rather than reading AWD into the trim name.
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The cargo-volume numbers do not pick a winner
Hyundai publishes the same three cargo-volume figures for all five gasoline trims: 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.5 behind the second row and 79.6 behind the front seats. The 40.5-cubic-foot figure is for the third row folded; 79.6 is for both the second and third rows folded. Neither is the space available with all three rows occupied.
Use your normal passenger arrangement for the comparison. If you regularly use the third row, test your bags in the space behind it. If you usually fold that row, try your larger items with the second row set for passengers. Choosing a higher trim does not increase these published cargo volumes.
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Use this chart to narrow the search, then compare actual vehicles
These seating and drivetrain differences identify which trims deserve a closer look. They do not fully separate SE from SEL, both of which have a standard bench and the same FWD/AWD availability in this chart. Compare the equipment listed for the vehicles you are considering before treating those two trims as interchangeable.
The inventory link opens Elgin Hyundai’s 2026 Santa Fe results. Start with the trim and drivetrain combination that fits your seating needs, then inspect its listing and photos. This guide covers gasoline models; check the powertrain shown on each listing rather than transferring these details to a Hybrid.
A few more answers
Your questions, answered
Can I get AWD without choosing the 2026 Santa Fe XRT?
Yes. For the US gasoline lineup, Hyundai lists optional HTRAC AWD on SE, SEL, Limited and Calligraphy. XRT has AWD as standard and does not offer FWD.
Does every Limited have captain’s chairs?
Captain’s chairs are standard on the 2026 gasoline Limited, but Hyundai also lists an optional second-row bench. Check the actual vehicle’s seating layout.
Does Calligraphy have more published cargo volume than SE?
No. Hyundai lists the same cargo volumes across the five gasoline trims: 14.6 cubic feet behind row three, 40.5 behind row two and 79.6 behind the front seats. The seat-folding configuration matters when using those numbers.
