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2020 Hyundai

Santa Fe FWD

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Hyundai Santa Fe: best and worst years
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe FWD

Closest available photo (2019 model year); you're viewing the 2020.

2019 photoSsmIntrigueCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S8)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
185
Power to weight
0.050 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.80
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Start-stop system
YesEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
29 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City
22 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb
25 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,500EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
CO₂
362 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Eco Score
5/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Real-world MPG
27 mpg, reported by 1 driverabout 2 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
188 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
74 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
67 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
109 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,735 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Recalls
2
Owner complaints
189
Reported injuries
15

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE26%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER14%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
  • POWER TRAIN9%
  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE5%
  • VISIBILITY5%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 253 total.

Hyundai Santa Fe: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE

    Loss of Motive Power

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

97 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • May 21, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26-01-013H-2 TSB

    Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Engine Control Module (ECM) to address this condition.

  • May 21, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26-01-013H-2 DN

    Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.

  • May 19, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9C2 DCS 260518

    Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is expected to occur only within approximately the first 1-3 minutes after engine start, while the catalyst is reaching its normal operating temperature.

  • May 19, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9C2 060518

    Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is expected to occur only within approximately the first 1-3 minutes after engine start, while the catalyst is reaching its normal operating temperature.

  • Apr 14, 2026ENGINE9C2 OL

    Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to update the Engine Control Module (ECM) Software for vehicles equipped with the (2.4 GDI) Theta II engine to improve engine combustion and fuel trim adaptations.

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DL

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DCS

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached anno

  • Mar 30, 2026ENGINE9C2 Susp DN

    Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing issue with software GDS event #1383 related to 2015MY Sonata (LFA) 2.4L vehicles. The matter is currently being investigated for a resolution as soon as possible. The impacted vehicles related to this event will not show open on the VIN in WebDCS while this event is under suspension.

  • and 89 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr
Maintenance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.