Sizing Up Trailers for Every 2027 Santa Fe Trim
Got a boat, a camper, or a utility trailer sitting in the driveway? The 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe can handle a fair amount of weight for a three-row SUV, but the exact number shifts depending on the trim and powertrain you choose. We pulled every figure in this guide from Hyundai's official 2027 spec and pricing sheets, so you'll know what each version can pull before you hook up.
- Gas SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims are rated to tow 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.
- The AWD-only XRT tops the lineup at 4,500 pounds with trailer brakes.
- Every hybrid trim is rated for 2,000 pounds, and every 2027 Santa Fe can pull 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes.
What the Gas Trims Can Pull
Four of the five gas trims share the same rating. The SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy each use a 277-horsepower, 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. With a braked trailer, Hyundai rates them at 3,500 pounds. Its spec sheet lists one number for the 2.5L turbo, with no split between front-wheel drive and HTRAC all-wheel drive. So you can pick the drivetrain that suits Kentucky winters and keep the same rating.
Lighter utility trailers and small campers can often fit under that limit. Before you hook up, check the loaded weight on your trailer's sticker or paperwork, since gear, water, and fuel add pounds fast.
The XRT Steps Up to 4,500 Pounds
Need more muscle? Hyundai bumps the XRT's rating to 4,500 pounds with trailer brakes, a full 1,000 pounds more than the other gas models. It uses the same 277-hp turbo engine. HTRAC all-wheel drive comes standard, along with 18-inch dark alloy wheels on Continental all-terrain tires. Ground clearance grows to 8.3 inches, up from 7.0 inches on the other trims. You also get a Sand/Mud terrain mode and a 115-volt power outlet for the campsite.
Fuel economy is the tradeoff. The XRT has an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, while the other gas trims with AWD have an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined.
Hybrid Trims Top Out at 2,000 Pounds
The Santa Fe Hybrid gives up some pulling power in exchange for much better fuel economy. All four hybrid trims pair a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor. Together they make 231 horsepower, and a 6-speed automatic sends it to the wheels. Hyundai rates every hybrid trim at 2,000 pounds with trailer brakes. In return, you get up to 36 mpg combined with FWD and 35 mpg combined with AWD. If you haul a small trailer a few times a year and spend most of your miles commuting, the hybrid makes a lot of sense.
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe Towing Capacity by Trim
| Trim | Powertrain | Drivetrain | Towing With Trailer Brakes | Towing Without Trailer Brakes | EPA Combined MPG (FWD / AWD) | Starting MSRP* |
| SE | 277-hp 2.5L Turbo, 8-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 3,500 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 24 / 23 | $35,300 |
| SEL | 277-hp 2.5L Turbo, 8-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 3,500 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 24 / 23 | $37,840 |
| XRT | 277-hp 2.5L Turbo, 8-Speed Auto | HTRAC AWD only | 4,500 lbs | 1,650 lbs | AWD only: 21 | $42,290 |
| Limited | 277-hp 2.5L Turbo, 8-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 3,500 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 24 / 23 | $44,850 |
| Calligraphy | 277-hp 2.5L Turbo, 8-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 3,500 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 24 / 23 | $47,850 |
| SE Hybrid | 231-hp 1.6L Turbo Hybrid, 6-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 2,000 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 36 / 35 | $36,650 |
| SEL Hybrid | 231-hp 1.6L Turbo Hybrid, 6-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 2,000 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 36 / 35 | $38,940 |
| Limited Hybrid | 231-hp 1.6L Turbo Hybrid, 6-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 2,000 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 36 / 35 | $45,950 |
| Calligraphy Hybrid | 231-hp 1.6L Turbo Hybrid, 6-Speed Auto | FWD or HTRAC AWD | 2,000 lbs | 1,650 lbs | 36 / 35 | $48,950 |
*Starting MSRP shown for FWD versions, except the AWD-only XRT, and excludes freight charges, tax, title, and license fees. Specs from Hyundai Motor America's 2027 Santa Fe Features and Specifications sheet and hyundaiusa.com.
Why Trailer Brakes Matter
Every 2027 Santa Fe, gas or hybrid, is rated to pull 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes. That's the one part of the Hyundai Santa Fe towing capacity picture that stays the same across the whole lineup. To use the higher ratings in the chart, your trailer needs its own brakes. Passengers and cargo inside the SUV count against its weight limits too, so a full third row and a heavy trailer add up quickly.
Towing Help That Comes Standard
Hyundai includes Trailer Sway Control and a trailer pre-wire connection on every trim, according to its official spec sheet. Hillstart Assist Control helps keep you from rolling back on a slope. Driver-selectable Downhill Brake Control helps manage speed on steep grades. Paddle shifters come standard as well, so you can hold a lower gear on long downhill stretches. A hitch receiver doesn't appear on Hyundai's standard equipment list, so plan on adding one before your first trip.
Picking the Right Santa Fe for Your Trailer
Start with the heaviest thing you plan to tow, then leave yourself some breathing room. If your boat or camper weighs close to 4,000 pounds loaded, the XRT is the only Santa Fe built for that job. For trailers under 3,500 pounds, any gas trim works, so your budget and wish list can decide between the SE, with a $35,300 starting MSRP, and the Calligraphy, at $47,850. And if you tow light and drive a lot, the hybrid's mileage is the best in the lineup.
Why Buy Your 2027 Santa Fe at Gates Hyundai
Choosing a tow rating gets easier when you can see the trims side by side at Gates Hyundai in Richmond. We'll walk you through the gas, XRT, and hybrid models we have available and help you match one to the trailer you already own. Our parts department carries genuine Hyundai parts and accessories, and our certified technicians know the Santa Fe inside and out. We're part of the family-owned Gates Auto Family, with roots back to 1915. We keep the buying process relaxed and pressure-free. Our finance team works with a wide range of lenders, and our online Value Your Trade tool gives you an estimate for your current vehicle before you stop by.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe tow?
The 2027 Santa Fe XRT can tow up to 4,500 pounds with trailer brakes. Gas SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims are rated for 3,500 pounds, and every hybrid trim is rated for 2,000 pounds with trailer brakes.
Can the Santa Fe Hybrid tow as much as the gas model?
No. Every 2027 Santa Fe Hybrid trim is rated to tow 2,000 pounds with trailer brakes. The gas trims are rated for 3,500 pounds, and the XRT is rated for 4,500 pounds.
What can the 2027 Santa Fe tow without trailer brakes?
Every 2027 Santa Fe, gas or hybrid, is rated to tow 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes. You need a trailer with its own brakes to reach the higher ratings.
Does the 2027 Santa Fe need all-wheel drive to tow the most?
The 4,500-pound XRT comes only with HTRAC all-wheel drive. Hyundai's spec sheet lists the same 3,500-pound rating for the other gas trims without splitting it by drivetrain.
What towing features come standard on the 2027 Santa Fe?
Hyundai lists Trailer Sway Control and a trailer pre-wire connection as standard on every 2027 Santa Fe trim. Hillstart Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control are standard as well.
Bring Your Trailer's Weight and We'll Match the Trim
Check the loaded weight on your trailer's paperwork, and our team will show you which Santa Fe handles it with room to spare.
