Archived model-year dossier

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is the second year of its fourth generation with no major mechanical changes, and Hyundai simplified trim features, with used prices from $13,900 at Kelley Blue Book. NHTSA lists two recalls, for windshield bonding and tow hitch wiring, and 213 complaints. EPA rates it 22 to 25 mpg combined.

Configurations4
Model/option labels2
Combined efficiency22–25 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers4

What changed on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

Carvana (opens in a new tab) calls the 2020 Santa Fe the second year of the fourth generation, 2019 to 2023, and the last year before the 2021 mid-cycle refresh, with no major changes to its body structure, suspension, engines or transmission. Reliable Hyundai (opens in a new tab) says Hyundai made tweaks and simplified trim features for the new year.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts used 2020 Santa Fes at $13,900 for the SE to $18,300 for the 2.0T Limited at a dealership, and rates fuel economy at 20/27 to 22/29 mpg city and highway. EPA rates the 2020 Santa Fe at 22 to 25 mpg combined and $2,500 to $2,850 a year in fuel, with front- or all-wheel drive.

Recalls and problems owners report

NHTSA lists two recall campaigns for the 2020 Santa Fe. 21V00M000 covers 2020 to 2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata and Elantra vehicles whose windshield may not have been properly bonded and could detach in a crash, and dealers remove and reinstall the panel. 23V181000 covers a tow hitch harness where water on the circuit board may cause an electrical short and fire, so owners are advised to park outside until it is repaired.

Owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA: engine with 78, unknown or other with 42, power train with 26, electrical system with 25 and visibility with 14. CarFactBase (opens in a new tab) keeps a record for the year, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) keeps a reliability page.

2020 Santa Fe against the Sorento, CR-V, RAV4 and CX-5

EPA rates the 2020 Santa Fe at 22 to 25 mpg combined and $2,500 to $2,850 a year in fuel. The Kia Sorento lists 20 to 25 at $2,500 to $3,100, the Mazda CX-5 24 to 28 at $2,250 to $2,600, the Honda CR-V 29 to 38 at $1,650 to $2,150, and the Toyota RAV4 27 to 40 at $1,550 to $2,300. The Santa Fe matches the Sorento at the top and trails the CR-V and RAV4.

Trim-by-trim specifications

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: 5 trims compared.

Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe powertrain, performance and efficiency by trim
TrimEngineTransmissionDriveHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)EPA city / hwy / combSeatsBasic warranty
SE2.4-liter 4-cylinder (GDI)Automatic, 8-Spd w/ShiftronicFWD18517822 / 29 / 25 mpg55 yr / 60,000 mi
2.4 SEL2.4-liter 4-cylinder (GDI)Automatic, 8-Spd w/ShiftronicFWD18517822 / 29 / 25 mpg55 yr / 60,000 mi
2.0T SEL2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI)Automatic, 8-Spd w/ShiftronicFWD23526020 / 27 / 23 mpg55 yr / 60,000 mi
2.0T Limited2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI)Automatic, 8-Spd w/ShiftronicFWD23526020 / 27 / 23 mpg55 yr / 60,000 mi
2.4 Limited2.4-liter 4-cylinder (GDI)Automatic, 8-Spd w/ShiftronicFWD18517822 / 29 / 25 mpg55 yr / 60,000 mi
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe dimensions, weights and capacities by trim
TrimLengthHeightWheelbaseGround clearanceTurning circleFuel tankFront headroomFront legroomTowingTires
SE187.8 in66.1 in108.9 in7.3 in37.5 ft18.8 gal41.2 in44.1 in2,000 lbP235/65R17
2.4 SEL187.8 in66.1 in108.9 in7.3 in37.5 ft18.8 gal41.2 in44.1 in2,000 lbP235/60R18
2.0T SEL187.8 in67.1 in108.9 in7.3 in37.5 ft18.8 gal41.2 in44.1 in3,500 lbP235/55R19
2.0T Limited187.8 in67.1 in108.9 in7.3 in37.5 ft18.8 gal41.2 in44.1 in3,500 lbP235/55R19
2.4 Limited187.8 in67.1 in108.9 in7.3 in37.5 ft18.8 gal41.2 in44.1 in2,000 lbP235/60R18

Equipment by trim

Which 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe trim has what.

Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe standard and optional equipment by trim
EquipmentSE2.4 SEL2.0T SEL2.0T Limited2.4 Limited
Safety
Anti-theft alarmStdStdStdStdStd
Blind-spot alert–StdStdStdStd
Child door locksStdStdStdStdStd
Child-seat anchorsStdStdStdStdStd
Forward collision warningStdStdStdStdStd
Hill-descent controlOptOptOptOptOpt
Hill-start assistStdStdStdStdStd
Rearview cameraStdStdStdStdStd
Surround-view camera–––StdStd
Rear parking sensors–OptStdStdStd
Electronic stability controlStdStdStdStdStd
Traction controlStdStdStdStdStd
Technology
Bluetooth audio streamingStdStdStdStdStd
BluetoothStdStdStdStdStd
Hands-free callingStdStdStdStdStd
Navigation system–––StdStd
Premium audio system–OptStdStdStd
Satellite radio–StdStdStdStd
Apple CarPlay or Android AutoStdStdStdStdStd
Steering-wheel audio controlsStdStdStdStdStd
Touchscreen–––StdStd
Voice recognition–StdStdStdStd
Comfort
Heated front seats–StdStdStdStd
Heated rear seats–––StdStd
Heated steering wheel––––Std
Heated mirrors–StdStdStdStd
Power front seats for driver and passenger–OptStdStdStd
Power driver's seat–StdStdStdStd
Leather seats–OptStdStdStd
Leather-wrapped steering wheel–OptStdStdStd
Front and rear climate zonesStdStdStdStdStd
Panoramic moonroof–OptStdStdStd
Tilt steering wheelStdStdStdStdStd
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheelStdStdStdStdStd
Cup holdersStdStdStdStdStd
Folding rear seatStdStdStdStdStd
Exterior and convenience
Alloy wheelsStdStdStdStdStd
Fog lights–StdStdStdStd
Privacy glassStdStdStdStdStd
Rear spoilerStdStdStdStdStd
Roof railsOptOptStdStdStd
Power liftgate or trunkStdStdStdStdStd
12-volt power outletStdStdStdStdStd
Power windowsStdStdStdStdStd
Remote keyless entryStdStdStdStdStd
Proximity keyless entry–StdStdStdStd
Push-button start–StdStdStdStd
Cruise controlStdStdStdStdStd
Integrated garage-door openerOptOptStdStdStd
Rear-window defrosterStdStdStdStdStd
Rain-sensing wipers––––Std

Complete certification table

4 configuration records.

EPA ID / labelEngine / technologyDrive / transmissionFuelCityHwyCombinedRange
41480Santa Fe AWD2.4L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8)Regular212724N/A
41479Santa Fe AWD2L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8)Regular202622N/A
41476Santa Fe FWD2.4L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8)Regular222925N/A
41475Santa Fe FWD2L 4-cyl SIDIConventionalFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8)Regular202723N/A

Model-specific answer center

4 answers for this exact family-year.

Q01What changed on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe versus the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Model year

Against the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: Model/option labels no longer listed: Santa Fe XL AWD, Santa Fe XL FWD, Santa Fe XL Ultimate AWD, Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD. Engine descriptions no longer listed: 3.3L 6-cyl SIDI. Transmissions no longer listed: Automatic (S6). Certification records went from 8 to 4. Midpoint combined efficiency moved from 22.0 to 23.5 MPG/MPGe. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 2 for the 2019 to 2 for the 2020.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02What size wheels does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
Wheels and tires

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's wheel diameter is 17 inches on the SE, 18 inches on the 2.4 SEL and 2.4 Limited and 19 inches on the 2.0T SEL and 2.0T Limited. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.

Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q03How do the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe trims differ from one another?
Trims

The 2.4 SEL has blind-spot alert, fog lights, heated front seats and 6 more as standard equipment over the SE. The 2.0T SEL has 235 hp against 185 and power front seats for driver and passenger, an integrated garage-door opener, leather seats and 5 more as standard equipment over the 2.4 SEL. The 2.0T Limited has heated rear seats, a navigation system, a surround-view camera and a touchscreen as standard equipment over the 2.0T SEL. The 2.4 Limited has 185 hp against 235 and a heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers as standard equipment over the 2.0T Limited.

Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q04What brake fluid, refrigerant and key-fob battery does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe use?
Maintenance

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe owner's manual names R-1234yf air-conditioning refrigerant. Source: 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe owner's manual. The 2019 model year has the same figure.

Source: Manufacturer owner's manual

Live NHTSA evidence

Current federal safety records for 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Methodology: how a recall or complaint answer is verified

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Exact-vehicle evidence desk

Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.

Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.

FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology

Other model years

Compare the Hyundai Santa Fe across model years.

See every Hyundai Santa Fe model year and research hub

Ownership desk

Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.