2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD: MPG and fuel economy
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 20 combined MPG, with 18 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. That lands well below the average for cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class in the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain.
Key takeaways
- Returns 28% worse combined MPG than the average car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2019 model year (27.6 MPG class average).
- The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2019 model year is the Hyundai Kona Electric at 120 MPG.
- EPA estimates this car costs around $4,250 more in fuel over five years than an average new vehicle of the same model year.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
| City MPG | 18 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 23 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,000 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 453 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Regular |
How the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD compares
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD returns 20 combined MPG. Cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year average 27.6 MPG, which puts this car behind the class average by about 28%.
The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2019 model year is the Hyundai Kona Electric at 120 MPG. The bar chart below puts the Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD alongside the class best and the class average so you can see the full picture.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2019 model year (across all classes) returns 26.8 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2019 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for regular gasoline, which is $3.99/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 750 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $1,500 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $3,000 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $5,000 |
Compare against other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD for 2019
If you are cross-shopping the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
The Hyundai Kona Electric leads this group at 120 MPG, 100 MPG ahead of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD.
Specifications
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD runs a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (s6), sending power through front-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Engine
- 3.3L 6-cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Regular
- Annual petroleum use
- 14.9 barrels per year
Common questions about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD.
-
Is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD fuel efficient?
Not particularly. The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD returns 20 combined MPG, which trails the average car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year by about 28%. -
What MPG does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD get?
The EPA rates the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD at 20 combined MPG, 18 MPG in city driving, and 23 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,000 for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD use?
The EPA lists the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
How much CO₂ does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 453 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 6,795 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD?
City driving returns 18 MPG and highway driving returns 23 MPG, a gap of 5 MPG. The two figures are close enough that the car will hold its rated efficiency well across most driving patterns. -
What engine is in the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD?
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD has a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder engine (EPA description: SIDI). -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD have?
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD comes with a automatic (s6) transmission and front-wheel drive. -
How does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD compare to the best car in its class?
The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2019 model year is the Hyundai Kona Electric at 120 combined MPG. The Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD returns 20 MPG, a gap of 100 MPG. If you are comparing on fuel economy alone, the class leader is worth a look. -
How much more does the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD cost in fuel compared to an average car?
The EPA estimates that over five years, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Ultimate FWD will cost about $4,250 more in fuel than an average new vehicle of the same model year. The difference accumulates because the car uses more fuel per mile, not because of any one-off charge at the dealership.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.