The Hyundai Santa Fe is the boxy, three-row SUV that looks like it was drawn for road trips, with a wide-opening rear liftgate, room for up to seven and a turbocharged engine in every current trim. At Libertyville Happy Hyundai, 901 S Milwaukee Ave (IL-21) in Libertyville, you can compare the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited and Calligraphy side by side, whether you need a carpool hauler for Mundelein soccer practice or a weekend wagon for a Wisconsin cabin.
Browse the Santa Fe inventory above, then use the guides below to find the one that fits your family.
On the newest Santa Fe models, Hyundai fits a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 277 hp and 311 lb-ft across the gas lineup, so even the SE has the passing punch you want merging onto I-94 or the Tri-State.
Seating for seven is standard, with a six-seat layout and second-row captain’s chairs on select trims such as the Calligraphy. Fold the rear rows and trade sources list up to roughly 79.6 cubic feet of cargo room for strollers, hockey bags or a Costco run.
HTRAC all-wheel drive is available on every trim and standard on the XRT. Add available heated front seats and remote start through Hyundai Blue Link where equipped and with an active plan, and a January morning in Libertyville gets a lot easier.
Every Santa Fe has a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a hands-free smart liftgate with auto open and Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance. Limited and Calligraphy add Remote Smart Parking Assist, which can ease the SUV in and out of a tight garage or a snug downtown Libertyville spot.
Each Santa Fe trim builds on the one before it. Use this table to see where each one fits, then ask our team to line up equipped SUVs for a side-by-side look.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Key Highlights | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE | FWD or available HTRAC AWD | 2.5L turbo, 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluelink+, hands-free smart liftgate with auto open, SmartSense safety | Value-focused families who want three rows |
| SEL | FWD or available HTRAC AWD | Adds an 8-way power driver’s seat, wireless phone charging and Digital Key 2 smartphone access | Everyday commuters who want comfort upgrades |
| XRT | HTRAC AWD standard | Rugged XRT styling and trail-ready tires, standard AWD and the highest Santa Fe tow rating | Campers, trailheads and snowy back roads |
| Limited | FWD or available HTRAC AWD | Leather-trimmed seats, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist; six seats standard with seven available | Drivers who want premium tech |
| Calligraphy | FWD or available HTRAC AWD | Nappa leather-trimmed seats, driver’s relaxation seat with one-touch setting, six-passenger layout | The most refined Santa Fe experience |
The gas Santa Fe uses one turbocharged engine; fuel economy and towing change with drivetrain and trim. If mileage matters more than towing, compare the Santa Fe Hybrid below.
| Configuration | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | EPA est. mpg (city/hwy/comb) | Max Towing* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L Turbo, FWD (SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy) | 277 | 311 | 20 / 29 / 24 | 3,500 lbs |
| 2.5L Turbo, AWD (SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy) | 277 | 311 | 20 / 28 / 23 | 3,500 lbs |
| 2.5L Turbo, AWD (XRT) | 277 | 311 | 19 / 25 / 21 | 4,500 lbs |
| 1.6L Turbo Hybrid, FWD (Santa Fe Hybrid) | 231 combined | 271 combined | 37 / 36 / 36 | 2,000 lbs |
| 1.6L Turbo Hybrid, AWD (Santa Fe Hybrid) | 231 combined | 271 combined | 35 / 34 / 34 | 2,000 lbs |
Pick the gas Santa Fe if you tow a small camper or boat, want the trail-ready XRT, or prefer the strongest straight-line acceleration in the Santa Fe family.
Same three-row body and cabin, but with up to 36 mpg combined (EPA est.) and a long range between fill-ups. It is the smarter choice for stop-and-go commutes on Milwaukee Ave and IL-60.
The Palisade adds a roomier third row and up to 5,000 lbs of towing with its V6, while the Tucson is a smaller, easier-to-park two-row option for couples and small families.
Our team knows the questions Lake County Santa Fe shoppers actually ask: which trim has the heated seats, whether AWD is worth it for your driveway, and how much you can tow to Independence Grove or a lake up north. You can schedule a Santa Fe test drive and have the trim you want ready when you arrive, explore Santa Fe financing and lease options with our finance team, and get a number for your current vehicle through our trade-in tool.
Every new Hyundai is backed by America’s Best Warranty, including 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited coverage (see Hyundai for full terms), and our Hyundai Shopper Assurance page explains how Hyundai makes buying more transparent. After the sale, schedule Santa Fe service online with our Hyundai-trained technicians and genuine Hyundai parts, and set up remote features through Hyundai Blue Link.
Libertyville Happy Hyundai is at 901 S Milwaukee Ave in Libertyville, IL 60048, easy to reach from Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Gurnee and the North Shore. Browse Santa Fe inventory online, then call sales at 224-207-7201 to confirm availability or set up a test drive.
Yes. The current Santa Fe has three rows and seats seven on most trims; the Limited comes with six seats and second-row captain’s chairs (seven available), and the Calligraphy seats six. The third row is best suited to kids and shorter trips, so if adults ride back there often, compare it with the larger Palisade.
The SE and SEL cover most families’ needs, with the SEL adding a power driver’s seat, wireless charging and Digital Key 2. The XRT is built for gravel roads and towing, the Limited adds premium tech and the Calligraphy brings Nappa leather and the most luxurious cabin. Our team can show you equipped models side by side.
According to published ratings for the newest models, most gas Santa Fe trims tow up to 3,500 lbs and the XRT tows up to 4,500 lbs with proper equipment and trailer brakes. The Santa Fe Hybrid is rated for up to 2,000 lbs. Ratings vary by configuration, so ask us for the exact figure on a specific vehicle.
Choose the gas model if you tow more than a small trailer or want the XRT. Choose the Hybrid if most of your driving is commuting and errands, since it is rated up to 36 mpg combined (EPA est., FWD) versus up to 24 mpg for the gas Santa Fe.
With available HTRAC all-wheel drive and a good set of winter or all-weather tires, the Santa Fe handles snowy Lake County roads well. Available heated seats and Blue Link remote start (where equipped and with an active plan) also make cold mornings more comfortable.
Yes, both leasing and financing are available, and our finance team works with multiple lenders across a range of credit situations. Approval and terms depend on your credit and the lender, so the best first step is to apply online and talk through your options with us.
Libertyville Happy Hyundai proudly serves drivers from Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Waukegan, Grayslake, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Buffalo Grove, Wauconda, Lake Zurich, Round Lake, Highland Park, Deerfield and across Lake County and the North Shore.
Compare Santa Fe trims, drivetrains and seating layouts with our team at 901 S Milwaukee Ave in Libertyville.
901 S Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048
Sales: 224-207-7201
Service: 224-207-7202
Parts: 224-207-7203
