The 2025 Santa Fe comes in five main trims, each with different standard features and price points

Hyundai offers the 2025 Santa Fe in SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy, and N Line trims. Each step up adds comfort features, safety technology, or performance upgrades. The SE is the base model with essential features; the Calligraphy is the luxury option with leather and premium sound; the N Line focuses on sportier styling and handling. Your choice depends on what matters most to you — budget, comfort, technology, or driving feel.

All 2025 Santa Fe models come with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine standard, producing 277 horsepower. Every trim includes all-wheel drive as an option (standard on some higher trims). The vehicle seats five passengers across three rows, with the third row best suited for children or occasional use by adults.

Key Takeaways

  • The SE trim starts with the basics: power windows, Bluetooth, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and six airbags, making it the most affordable entry point.
  • The SEL and Limited trims add features like a power liftgate, wireless phone charging, and upgraded infotainment systems that appeal to buyers wanting more convenience.
  • The Calligraphy trim emphasizes luxury with leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a Bose premium audio system.
  • The N Line prioritizes performance with a sport-tuned suspension, unique exterior styling, and paddle shifters for manual gear control.
  • All trims share the same turbocharged engine and safety features, so your trim choice is mainly about interior comfort, technology, and appearance.

SE trim: what's included and what you'll add later

The SE is the entry-level configuration and includes the essentials most drivers need. You get power windows and locks, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a rearview camera. Climate control is manual rather than automatic, and the seats are cloth.

Safety features on the SE include six airbags, electronic stability control, and Hyundai SmartSense — a suite of driver-information technologies that includes forward collision warning, lane-keeping information, and automatic emergency braking. These are standard across all trims. If you plan to upgrade later, the SE can be equipped with options like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, or a power liftgate, though these come as add-ons rather than included.

SEL and Limited trims: comfort and convenience upgrades

The SEL adds features that make daily driving more convenient. You get a power liftgate, wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. The infotainment system gains an 8-inch touchscreen (larger than the SE's 10.25-inch, but with more advanced software), and you can add a panoramic sunroof as an option.

The Limited trim builds on the SEL with leather seating surfaces, a power driver's seat with lumbar support, and a Bose premium audio system with eight speakers. The steering wheel becomes heated, and the interior trim shifts from plastic to softer materials. The Limited also includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which help when backing up or changing lanes in traffic. Both the SEL and Limited come standard with all-wheel drive on most model years, though this varies by year and market.

Calligraphy trim: the luxury option

The Calligraphy is positioned as the premium Santa Fe and includes nearly every available comfort feature. Leather seating is standard, along with a power panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Bose audio system is included, and you get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (a full digital dashboard instead of traditional gauges).

Interior details matter on the Calligraphy: the dashboard and door panels use higher-quality materials, ambient interior lighting is standard, and the overall cabin feels more refined than lower trims. Technology includes a wireless charging pad, a surround-view camera system that shows a bird's-eye view when parking, and an upgraded navigation system. All-wheel drive is standard, and the Calligraphy typically costs several thousand dollars more than the Limited, reflecting the added luxury features rather than mechanical differences.

N Line trim: performance-focused styling and handling

The N Line is Hyundai's performance variant, designed for drivers who want sportier handling and a more aggressive appearance. It includes a sport-tuned suspension that firms up the ride and improves cornering response, unique exterior styling with a different front grille and bumper design, and 19-inch alloy wheels (versus 18-inch on other trims). Inside, you get sport seats with bolstering designed to hold you in place during spirited driving, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel to manually control the transmission.

The N Line does not change the engine or add horsepower — it is the same 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter as other trims. The changes are about how the vehicle feels to drive and how it looks. If you spend time on winding roads or straightforward prefer a firmer, more responsive feel, the N Line is worth considering. It sits between the Limited and Calligraphy in price, making it a middle option for buyers prioritizing driving dynamics over luxury features.

Engine, transmission, and drivetrain across all trims

Every 2025 Santa Fe uses the same turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. All models pair this engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on the SE and SEL; all-wheel drive is standard on the Limited, Calligraphy, and N Line, though all-wheel drive can be added to lower trims as an option.

Fuel economy varies slightly by drivetrain. Front-wheel-drive models achieve roughly 26 to 28 miles per gallon on the highway and 20 to 22 in the city, depending on driving conditions. All-wheel-drive models are slightly lower, typically 24 to 26 highway and 19 to 21 city. The N Line's sport suspension and larger wheels may reduce fuel economy by a small margin compared to other all-wheel-drive trims. All 2025 Santa Fe models use regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane).

Technology and safety features by trim level

All trims include Hyundai SmartSense, which covers forward collision warning, lane-keeping information, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims add features like blind-spot monitoring (SEL and up), rear cross-traffic alert (Limited and up), and a surround-view camera system (Calligraphy). The infotainment system grows from a 10.25-inch touchscreen on the SE to an 8-inch on the SEL and Limited, and a 12.3-inch digital cluster on the Calligraphy.

Wireless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) is standard on all trims, though the SE requires a cable connection for some functions. Navigation is available as an add-on for the SE and SEL, and standard on the Limited and Calligraphy. The N Line receives the same technology as the Limited but with sport-focused interior styling. If you prioritize advanced driver information or a large, straightforward-to-read display, the Calligraphy offers the most comprehensive setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get all-wheel drive on the SE trim?

Yes, all-wheel drive is available as an option on the SE and SEL, though it is standard on the Limited, Calligraphy, and N Line. Adding all-wheel drive increases the price by roughly $1,500 to $2,000 and slightly reduces fuel economy. Check with your dealer for current pricing in your area.

What is the difference between the Calligraphy and N Line?

The Calligraphy prioritizes luxury and comfort with leather, a panoramic sunroof, and premium audio. The N Line focuses on sportier handling with a firmer suspension, unique styling, and paddle shifters. The Calligraphy is quieter and more refined; the N Line is more responsive to drive. Your choice depends on whether you value comfort or driving dynamics.

Do all trims have the same safety features?

All trims include Hyundai SmartSense (forward collision warning, lane-keeping information, automatic emergency braking). Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and surround-view cameras. The core safety package is identical; the differences are in convenience features that help with parking and lane changes.

Is the third row suitable for adults?

The third row is tight for adults on long trips. It is best used for children or occasional seating for adults on short drives. If you regularly need to seat five adults comfortably, the second row is where you will want to sit. The third row folds flat to expand cargo space when not in use.

What trim offers the best value?

The SEL offers a good balance of features and price — you get a power liftgate, wireless charging, and dual-zone climate control without paying for luxury features you may not need. The SE is best if you want the lowest price and do not mind adding features later. The Calligraphy is best if comfort and premium materials matter most.