“LOVE LOVE LOVE MY HYUNDAI!!! They could have put cup holders in the 2 row seating, not just the holders in the door. You can't use the one in the door with a cup, it has to be a bottle.”
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is retuned steering and a stiffer suspension, intended to give it a firmer, more controlled feel. This is a light update rather than a redesign, with added standard equipment and a few trim-specific upgrades.
About the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
3rd-generation Santa Fe family (2013-2018), pre-refresh middle year; 2015 is an update year before the larger 2017 refresh.
Hyundai pitched the Santa Fe family as a feature-rich family crossover sold in two sizes: the five-seat Santa Fe Sport for buyers who wanted roomy cargo space without a bulky footprint, and the larger Santa Fe for buyers who needed a true third row. Across both, the core appeal was strong power, flexible seating, generous standard equipment, and near-premium comfort touches in a mainstream-brand SUV.
The five-seat Santa Fe Sport ranges from a practical 190-hp 2.4-liter model to the stronger 264-hp turbocharged 2.0T, which also brings leather, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring. The three-row GLS seats seven with a 290-hp V6, while the six-seat Limited adds second-row captain’s chairs, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and an 8-inch navigation touchscreen.
What changed, by category
Structural
Hyundai retuned the electric power steering and stiffened the suspension across the Santa Fe family for a firmer, more precise feel.
Styling
The five-seat Santa Fe Sport received a new two-tone grille.
Safety
Daytime running lights and a driver-side blind-spot mirror became standard across the lineup.
Tech
A one-touch front passenger window became standard. The hands-free Smart Liftgate joined the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T and Santa Fe Limited, while touchscreens became standard on the three-row GLS and Limited.
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.0T | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd Shiftronic | Auto, 6-Spd Shiftronic | Auto, 6-Spd Shiftronic | Auto, 6-Spd Shiftronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | 2WD | 2WD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 18 mpg | 19 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Horsepower | 290 hp | 264 hp | 190 hp | 290 hp |
| Torque | 252 lb-ft | 269 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft | 252 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5000 lb | 3500 lb | 2000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 80 cu-ft | 71.5 cu-ft | 71.5 cu-ft | 80 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 31.5 in | 39.4 in | 39.4 in | 31.5 in |
| Seats | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Headlights | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Park Assist | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| HID Headlights | ||||
| Heated Windshield | ||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | ||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Side Steps | ||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||
| Bluetooth | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| USB Ports | ||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||
| Reclining Rear Seats | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe redesigned?
No. The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe received a light update within the existing third generation, led by revised steering, a stiffer suspension, and added equipment.
How does the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe differ from the 2014 model?
The 2015 model has retuned steering, a stiffer suspension, standard daytime running lights, a standard driver-side blind-spot mirror, and a standard one-touch front passenger window. The Santa Fe Sport also has a new two-tone grille, and selected versions gained a hands-free liftgate.
Which 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe versions have the hands-free Smart Liftgate?
The hands-free Smart Liftgate is included on the five-seat Santa Fe Sport 2.0T and the three-row Santa Fe Limited. It was not added across the entire lineup.
Did the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe get a new engine?
No. The update focused on handling, equipment, and minor styling rather than a new engine. The Santa Fe Sport continued with 2.4-liter and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, while the three-row Santa Fe used a 3.3-liter V6.
Is the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe a major upgrade over the 2014 model?
No. It is a modest update rather than a major overhaul. Its main advantages over the 2014 model are the revised steering and suspension, added standard visibility and convenience features, and a few trim-specific upgrades.
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe.
4.3
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
(310 reviews)
“I should be able to rotate through satellite presets (sat 1/sat 2/sat 3) without having to rotate through AM/FM and others.”
“Our Hyundai Santa Fe has been a great family car. It's easy to drive (almost like a minivan) but in an SUV package. It has most of the creature comforts one would look for except that the rear climate controls are in the third row rather than second. Makes it a little hard sometimes for us to adjust for our family. We had a few minor issues that have been resolved but overall it's great!”