The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport FWD with the 2.0L turbo engine gets 22 MPG combined. While not amazing, it’s a tradeoff many buyers accept. This compact SUV offers practicality, performance, and value, not hyper-efficiency. The audience, including young families, active individuals, and those needing versatile cargo space, often prioritize these attributes over saving gas.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates of 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway show the Santa Fe Sport’s fuel consumption. The city figure shows that stop-and-go traffic will cause more fuel use, which isn’t surprising due to the vehicle’s weight and the demands on the turbocharged engine during acceleration. The 26 MPG highway rating is better and achievable when cruising steadily. But, aggressive driving or heavy loads can lower that number.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport FWD 2.0L 4-cyl is $2,000. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with a mix of city and highway driving, using the national average fuel price. Your fuel costs will change depending on your driving, road types, and local fuel prices.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a starting point, but real-world fuel economy changes. Many owners say they get numbers slightly below the official ratings, mainly in cities. Driving style matters. Hard acceleration or long idling hurts your MPG. However, careful drivers on the highway can sometimes hit or beat the EPA’s 26 MPG estimate. Tire pressure, car maintenance, and weather can also change fuel consumption.

How it compares

The Honda CR-V (2016, 2WD) gets a combined 29 MPG with its standard engine, a big plus if you are trying to save on fuel. The Toyota RAV4 (2016, 2WD) gets 26 MPG combined. The Nissan Rogue (2016, FWD) gets about 28 MPG Combined. The Santa Fe Sport’s 2.0L engine has more power because of its turbocharger, a key selling point. Those trading up from a smaller car may consider all Hyundai fuel economy data to explore options within the brand. For a wider view across similar years, consider researching SANTA MPG across all years.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The 2.0L turbo responds well to smooth acceleration. Avoid fast starts and hard braking, which force the engine to work harder and use more fuel. Look ahead at traffic and keep a steady speed if you can.

Check your tire pressure often. Low tires increase rolling resistance, lowering fuel economy. The sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb has the recommended tire pressure. Make sure your tires are properly inflated.

Take out extra weight. Remove items you don’t need, as extra weight increases fuel use. Carrying heavy cargo, even for short trips, changes MPG, especially in city driving.

Think about using cruise control on the highway. Keeping a consistent speed helps save fuel, mainly on long routes. Watch traffic and change your speed as needed to avoid hard braking or acceleration.