“I will be a Hyundai owner for years to come, specifically the Santa Fe. It's practical, economical luxurious, has all the features, safe for my family, roomie, user friendly with all the new features offered. There is nothing more I could ask for, I'm so happy.”
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The most important change for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is its simplified three-trim lineup with reorganized safety and convenience equipment. Limited models also gain a blind-spot camera view, but there is no redesign or major mechanical change.
About the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
4th generation (2019-2023), second year and last year before the 2021 mid-cycle refresh
Hyundai positioned the 2020 Santa Fe as a roomy, five-seat family SUV for daily commuting and road trips. Its core strengths were generous passenger and cargo space, an easy-to-use cabin, extensive driver-assistance technology, and a choice between a practical 2.4L engine and a stronger turbo engine. Compared with many two-row midsize SUVs, it emphasized useful standard equipment and family-focused safety rather than sporty performance or rugged off-road hardware.
The SE is the family-focused starting point, with adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SEL models add more comfort and safety equipment, while Limited combines leather seating, navigation, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree parking camera, and a head-up display. The 235-hp 2.0T Limited pairs those features with the stronger turbo engine.
What changed, by category
Safety
A rear-occupant reminder becomes standard across the simplified range. Limited also gains Blind-Spot View Monitor, which shows a camera view of the corresponding blind spot when the turn signal is used.
Tech
Wireless phone charging becomes standard on SEL models with the Convenience equipment group and on higher-equipped versions.
Styling
Limited receives dark-chrome exterior trim, without a broader body redesign.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | 22 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | 27 mpg | 29 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 185 hp | 235 hp | 185 hp | 235 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 3500 lb | 2000 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 35.9 cu-ft | 35.9 cu-ft | 35.9 cu-ft | 35.9 cu-ft | 35.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 40.9 in | 40.9 in | 40.9 in | 40.9 in | 40.9 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Head-Up Display | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe a redesign?
No. The 2020 Santa Fe is the second year of the fourth generation, with no major changes to its body structure, suspension, engines, or transmission.
How did the 2020 Santa Fe trim lineup change?
The lineup was simplified around SE, SEL, and Limited, with Convenience and Premium equipment groups bridging the gap between SEL and Limited. The 2.0T SEL joined the range, and several 2019 variants were dropped as equipment was consolidated into the new structure.
What safety features changed on the 2020 Santa Fe?
Rear-occupant reminders expanded across the lineup, and Limited gained Blind-Spot View Monitor. The system displays a camera view of the side blind spot when the driver activates the turn signal.
Did the 2020 Santa Fe get new engines?
No. The 2020 Santa Fe carries over its 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 235-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Is the 2020 Santa Fe meaningfully different from the 2019 model?
Only modestly. The main differences are the simplified trim structure, wider rear-occupant reminder coverage, wireless charging on more highly equipped versions, and the Limited trim's new blind-spot camera view. The basic vehicle and powertrains carry over.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe.
4.3
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
(363 reviews)
“The Santa Fe is an affordable, reliable car that does what it is supposed to do. It is particularly good for families that travel.”
“Fantastic vehicle with the exception of the transmission, it is very quiet, has great amenities, is comfortable (my son is 6'1"" and he is comfortable in the back seat). Absolutely love the SEL trim level features, though a few more would be nice.”