2018 Hyundai Santa Fe — Full Specifications
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The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is an SUV offered with 3 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 24–29 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Hyundai Santa Fe workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Related 2018 listings: Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.
Compared with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 29 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 5★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2017 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Length | 4770 mm |
| Height | 1703 mm |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 25 urban / 32 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 21 city / 27 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 235 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,800 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 6 configurations for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe across 3 engines (2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 20 to 24 mpg (US), or 24 to 29 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/26) | 255 | $3,050 |
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/28) | 241 | $2,900 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/26) | 252 | $3,050 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/27) | 235 | $2,800 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/24) | 269 | $3,350 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/25) | 265 | $3,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
Running Costs: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (2), Steering (1), Air bags (1). 2 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 22V810000, reported 27 October 2022. Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Service brakes — campaign 22V056000, reported 3 February 2022. Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Steering — campaign 18V118000, reported 17 February 2018. Risk: A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
- Air bags — campaign 17V801000, reported 13 December 2017. Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, if the detached component were to enter the vehicle…
Showing the 4 most recent of 5 campaigns.
Owners have filed 430 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most-reported areas are Engine (250), Unspecified (50), Service brakes (48). Complaints include 13 reported crashes, 12 reported fires, 13 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 263 complaints across the 17 Hyundai Santa Fe model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (250 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Brakes (2 recall campaigns · 48 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Fuel system (38 owner complaints) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Steering (1 recall campaign) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Hyundai Santa Fe compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 235 g/km CO₂ figure is 18 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Hyundai models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe's 29 mpg is 5 mpg below that make average. Its 235 g/km CO₂ figure is 28 g/km higher than the 207 g/km Hyundai average.
Of the 17 Hyundai Santa Fe model years we cover, the 2018 ranks 6th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (29 mpg UK combined, against a high of 31 mpg). See every Hyundai Santa Fe year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
EPA lists 3 engines for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: 2L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.4L 4-cyl with a automatic (s6).
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 24 to 29 mpg.
How much does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (2), Steering (1), Air bags (1). 2 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Among the 430 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (250 complaints), Unspecified (50 complaints), Service brakes (48 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.