The New 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SE Is the Family Friendly Three-Row SUV!

Most automakers strive to add more exclusive features to their models, coming out with more elaborate and more expensive trims each year. These brands seem to always cater to the high-end customers, looking to get the most out of each year’s model by chasing the big bucks. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were an automaker that cared about regular families who are finding it harder to afford things in today’s economy?

Fortunately for folks in Mundelein, this is not a dream. Hyundai has always been about delivering value for all drivers, and you can see this in the new SE trim for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Rather than coming out with a new top trim, Hyundai is offering families a more affordable option by introducing a new base model to the Santa Fe Hybrid lineup.

The place to go for a 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid is Gurnee Hyundai. We are your Hyundai dealer near Mundelein, with the full lineup of new models to choose from. Come in today and see why your next three-row SUV should be a 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid SE from us!

More Affordable Without Skimping on Value

Last year, the entry-level trim for the Santa Fe Hybrid was the SEL. It had a base MSRP of $37,200. This year, the SEL trim starts at $38,690.^[a] Rather than try to make a model that was even more advanced than the top trim Calligraphy, Hyundai did something different. It decided to help families in places like Mundelein by coming out with a trim that is more affordable than even the SEL. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SE has a base MSRP of $36,400, which is nearly a thousand dollars less than the 2025 base model and over two thousand dollars less than the 2026 SEL.^[a]

While making sure you save money, Hyundai also decided to offer a base model that is entry-level in name only. When you buy the SE trim, you still get the exceptional hybrid powertrain of the Santa Fe Hybrid. It pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 gas engine with an electric motor in the front axle. The electric motor is powered by a small lithium-ion battery pack located in the vehicle’s lower frame. At lower speeds, the Santa Fe Hybrid runs on electric power with the gas engine charging up the battery pack.

This propulsion system delivers an impressive combined output of 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to get the Santa Fe Hybrid from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. While that won’t set any land speed records, it is more than sufficient to merge onto a busy highway when coming home to Mundelein from work or picking up the kids from school.

The 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid SE also delivers the kind of fuel efficiency you need in your three-row SUV. It can get an EPA-estimated 36 MPG combined fuel economy with front-wheel drive. If you opt for the available HTRAC all-wheel drive, you will get improved traction while still having a vehicle that provides 34 MPG combined.

Standard Comfort and Convenience

When you choose the SE trim on the Santa Fe Hybrid, you will get a second-row bench seat. This allows you to fit up to seven passengers in your vehicle, with two seated in the third row.

Hyundai has done an exceptional job of apportioning the 151 cubic feet of passenger space between the vehicle’s three rows. Front row passengers get 44.4 inches of legroom, while those seated in the second row get 41.5 inches, and third row passengers will enjoy 30 inches. This is enough space for everyone to stretch out and enjoy the ride.

The Santa Fe Hybrid SE features attractive, comfortable cloth seats. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped for improved, cushioned comfort and a superior grip. There are USB charging ports in the first two rows so passengers can keep their devices charged during the ride.

The Santa Fe Hybrid SE is also ideal for Mundelein families with its flexible storage options. The standard hands-free smart liftgate with auto open makes it easy to get into the Santa Fe Hybrid’s trunk, even with your hands full. Simply stand near the trunk with the key fob on your person, and the liftgate will open automatically.

In the back, you will be greeted by a useful 14.6 cubic feet of space for your things. If you need more room, simply fold down the third row of seats to access 40.5 cubic feet of space. When you have to move large objects, like hardware for your next DIY home improvement project, fold down the second row bench seat as well to free up a spacious 79.6 cubic feet for your things.

Superior Technology that Comes Standard

Even though the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid SE is an entry-level model, it still has the technological features that have become a hallmark of the Hyundai brand. These features will keep you and your family safe, connected, and entertained wherever you go in your Santa Fe Hybrid.

SmartSense Safety

Hyundai SmartSense is a suite of advanced driver assistance features designed to make driving a Santa Fe Hybrid as safe as possible. This is because the Santa Fe Hybrid comes equipped with one of the most comprehensive arrays of these advanced safety features.

If you need to change lanes on a busy highway, the standard Blind-Spot Collision Warning will use radar to detect if there is another vehicle in the adjacent lane. This will help you avoid a collision by making sure the lane is clear before changing. 

The radar will also help you and your passengers when you are parked. Safe Exit Assist will detect if another vehicle is approaching from behind. This will let you know if it is safe to exit the Santa Fe Hybrid without risking getting hit by a passing vehicle. 

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection is another innovation that comes standard on all 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid trims, including the SE. This will warn you of a potential front-end collision if the vehicle in front of you stops short. It will automatically apply the brakes, allowing you to take evasive action to avoid an accident.

This system also works at slower speeds, detecting pedestrians and cyclists so you can avoid accidents. It even has a specialized braking feature for when you are making a left turn at an intersection. If the system detects a possible collision with an oncoming vehicle, it will apply the brakes.

These are just some of the safety technology features that come standard on the Santa Fe Hybrid. This is why the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Each year, the IIHS conducts tests on most passenger vehicles sold in the United States, highlighting the safest models.

Infotainment Upgrades

The technology on the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid SE will also make your ride more enjoyable. The model features an advanced infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. This makes it easy to access your favorite apps and view maps when you are navigating to a new destination in Mundelein or beyond.

Simply connect your smartphone using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and you are ready to make hands-free calls and texts. Wireless connectivity allows you to use the system even if you left your phone’s charging cables at home. Once you have connected your phone, you can stream your favorite music over the vehicle’s audio system. 

You also get Hyundai Bluelink+. This is a connected car service that allows you to remotely start your Santa Fe Hybrid’s engine and lock its doors. It also provides automatic collision assistance if you are involved in an accident. This is just one more way that Hyundai delivers value with the all-new SE trim.

Make Your Next SUV a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SE

While the SE is the base model of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, it delivers everything you need in a three-row SUV. Its hybrid powertrain delivers efficient performance, helping you save money on your gasoline bills. It is also roomy enough for seven passengers, making it ideal for road trips and school runs, while providing the versatile cargo options you desire. Hyundai has also equipped the Santa Fe Hybrid SE with modern innovations to keep you safe, connected, and entertained. Come in today and drive home to Mundelein in a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SE from us!

^[a] MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, destination charge, and accessories. MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.

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