Comprehensive Guide to Hyundai Santa Fe Towing Capacity
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a popular midsize SUV known for its comfortable ride, modern features, and versatility. One important aspect for many buyers is its towing capacity, which determines how much weight the vehicle can safely pull behind it. This is crucial for activities like towing trailers, boats, campers, or other recreational equipment. The towing capacity of the Hyundai Santa Fe varies significantly depending on the model year, engine choice, trim level, and whether the vehicle is equipped with trailer brakes or all-wheel drive systems.
Towing Capacity by Model Year and Trim
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The latest 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers some of the highest towing capacities in its lineup. When equipped with the rugged XRT trim, which comes standard with Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel Drive system, the Santa Fe can tow up to 4,500 pounds. This higher capacity is contingent on having trailer brakes installed, which are essential for safely controlling heavier loads. The XRT trim is designed for off-road adventures and enhanced capability, making it ideal for those who need to tow larger trailers or boats.
The 2025 model is powered by a 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder engine that produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, providing the power needed to handle these towing demands comfortably .
For other trims of the 2025 Santa Fe, the towing capacity generally maxes out at 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes. Without trailer brakes, the towing capacity drops significantly to around 1,650 pounds, which is typical for many SUVs in this class .
Hybrid Variants
The hybrid versions of the Santa Fe, which prioritize fuel efficiency and lower emissions, have a reduced towing capacity. The 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds, reflecting the trade-off between hybrid powertrain design and towing capability. This is still sufficient for smaller trailers, lightweight boats, or utility trailers but is less than the non-hybrid turbocharged models .
Historical Towing Capacities (2001-2021)
Looking back at previous generations, the towing capacity of the Santa Fe has evolved:
- Early 2000s to mid-2010s models typically had towing capacities ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds, depending on engine size and drivetrain.
- The Hyundai Santa Fe XL, which was a larger, three-row version available before 2019, had a towing capacity rated at 5,000 pounds. This made it suitable for hauling larger campers or boats, reflecting its bigger size and more powerful engine options.
- For the 2019 and 2020 models, towing capacity ranged from 1,653 to 3,501 pounds, depending on whether the vehicle was equipped with a 2.0L or 2.4L engine and other factors like trailer brake systems .
Factors Affecting Towing Capacity
Several key factors influence the towing capacity of the Hyundai Santa Fe:
- Engine Type and Power: More powerful engines, such as the 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder in recent models, allow for higher towing capacities. Less powerful engines or hybrid powertrains typically have lower towing limits.
- Trailer Brakes: The presence of trailer brakes is critical. Hyundai rates towing capacity with trailer brakes significantly higher than without. For example, many Santa Fe trims can tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes but only about 1,650 pounds without them .
- Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (AWD) systems like Hyundai’s HTRAC can improve towing stability and capacity, especially in rugged trims like the XRT.
- Trim Level: Higher trims often come with enhanced towing packages or features that increase towing capacity.
- Vehicle Configuration: Payload capacity, suspension, and cooling systems also play a role in how much weight the vehicle can safely tow.
Practical Implications for Towing
- For Recreational Use: If you plan to tow a small camper, boat, or utility trailer, the Santa Fe’s towing capacity of 3,500 to 4,500 pounds (with trailer brakes) is sufficient for many common recreational needs.
- For Heavy-Duty Towing: The Santa Fe XL’s 5,000-pound rating (available on older models) is more suitable for larger campers or heavier trailers.
- Hybrid Models: If fuel efficiency is a priority and your towing needs are light, the hybrid Santa Fe’s 2,000-pound capacity may be adequate.
- Without Trailer Brakes: Towing heavier loads without trailer brakes is not recommended, as the capacity drops significantly and safety is compromised.
Safety and Recommendations
When towing with a Hyundai Santa Fe, it’s important to:
- Use trailer brakes for loads over 1,650 pounds to ensure safe stopping power.
- Check your vehicle’s owner manual for specific towing guidelines, including tongue weight limits and recommended towing accessories.
- Consider additional equipment such as a trailer hitch receiver, wiring harness, and possibly a transmission cooler if towing frequently or with heavy loads.
- Be mindful of payload capacity, which includes passengers and cargo inside the vehicle, as this affects the total weight the vehicle can handle safely.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a versatile towing capacity that suits a wide range of needs, from light utility trailers to moderate-sized campers and boats. The 2025 model, especially in the XRT trim with AWD and trailer brakes, can tow up to 4,500 pounds, making it one of the more capable midsize SUVs in its class. Older models and the Santa Fe XL offer even higher towing capacities, while hybrid versions provide a balance between efficiency and moderate towing ability.
If towing is a priority, selecting the right trim and ensuring proper equipment like trailer brakes are installed will maximize your Santa Fe’s towing potential and safety on the road. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend camping trip or hauling gear for work, the Santa Fe’s towing capabilities make it a practical and reliable choice.