The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD 2.4L gets 22 MPG combined, a reasonable figure that places it in the middle of the compact SUV group. Buyers of this configuration often want all-weather capability and a comfortable, well-equipped interior more than saving gas. They understand that all-wheel drive means slightly lower fuel economy, but they accept that for the added security, especially in areas with bad weather.

City and highway performance

The EPA says the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD 2.4L gets 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The city number shows how stop-and-go driving in cities reduces efficiency because of frequent acceleration and braking. The highway number shows the fuel economy you can get when cruising at steady speeds. These numbers come from the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine working with a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission balances responsiveness in lower gears with efficiency in higher gears to use less gas in different driving conditions.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD 2.4L at $2,000. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Remember that this is just an estimate. Your actual fuel costs can change based on your driving, the type of fuel you use, and local gas prices. If you drive more or less than 15,000 miles per year, or if fuel prices are higher or lower where you live, your fuel costs will be different from the EPA estimate. This figure can still help you compare the estimated fuel expense of this Santa Fe Sport against other vehicles you might be considering.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates give you a baseline, but real-world fuel economy can be different depending on several things. Accelerating quickly, braking hard, and idling for a long time can all reduce fuel efficiency. Driving smoothly and consistently and not idling can help you get the EPA estimates or even better. How hilly the area is also matters. Hilly areas usually mean lower fuel economy than flat areas. Keeping your vehicle maintained, including checking tire pressure and changing the oil, can also help fuel efficiency. Knowing these things helps owners drive smarter to save money on gas.

How it compares

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD 2.4L is a direct competitor to other compact SUVs, and gas mileage is often considered by buyers. For example, the Toyota RAV4 AWD gets slightly better fuel economy, at an EPA-estimated 24 MPG combined. The Honda CR-V AWD also gets a bit better gas mileage, with an EPA rating of 27 MPG combined. The Nissan Rogue AWD, with a combined EPA rating of 26 MPG, is closer to the Santa Fe Sport. The Ford Escape 4WD with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine delivers similar fuel economy around 23 MPG combined, but often costs more initially. These comparisons show that the Santa Fe Sport’s fuel economy is competitive, but not the best in its class. This could be important for some buyers, along with price, features, and style. For more information, you can see all Hyundai fuel economy data, or specifically, SANTA MPG across all years.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Accelerating gently and braking smoothly are important for using less gas in the Santa Fe Sport. Don’t start and stop quickly, because that uses more fuel. Watch traffic and keep a steady speed when you can. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts to save gas, but using cruise control on the highway can save even more fuel.

Tire pressure affects fuel economy. Check and keep the tire pressure where it should be. You can find this information on the sticker inside the driver’s side door or in the owner’s manual. Tires that don’t have enough air create more rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. A simple tire pressure gauge will quickly pay for itself.

Don’t idle. Idling burns fuel without going anywhere, so don’t let the engine run if you don’t need to. If you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern vehicles like the Santa Fe Sport restart quickly and easily, so it’s not a problem.

Take out extra weight. Carrying too much stuff in your Santa Fe Sport uses more gas. Take out anything you don’t need, like sports equipment or tools. The lighter the vehicle, the less the engine has to work, which saves gas.