20 MPG combined is what you can expect from the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate FWD 3.3L V6. It’s a decent number, and pragmatic families considering the vehicle’s practicality and space have likely already budgeted for this.

City and highway performance

The Santa Fe Ultimate’s 17 MPG city and 23 MPG highway ratings show what it’s like as a suburban vehicle. The 3.3L V6 provides power for merging and hauling, but requires more throttle to accelerate from a stop, leading to the lower city MPG. On the highway, the automatic transmission’s overdrive gears and the engine’s relaxed nature at cruising speeds allow it get close to the EPA’s highway estimate, as long as you don’t accelerate too quickly.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate FWD is $2,200. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with a 55/45 split between city and highway driving, using the EPA’s MPG ratings and current average gasoline prices. Your actual fuel costs will change depending on your driving, gas prices, and how often you use air conditioning, but this gives you a way to compare it to other vehicles.

Real-world expectations

EPA ratings give a standard comparison, but real-world fuel economy can vary. If you drive mostly in stop-and-go traffic, expect less than 17 MPG. If you mostly drive on the highway, you might meet or exceed the 23 MPG rating. Driving style matters: Quick acceleration and hard braking decrease fuel economy, while smooth driving can help you get closer to the EPA estimates.

How it compares

The 20 MPG combined rating puts the 2016 Santa Fe Ultimate FWD in the same range as its competitors from the time. The Toyota Highlander LE V6 FWD gets around 21 MPG combined, and the Honda Pilot LX FWD gets 22 MPG combined. However, all-wheel drive in these vehicles, including the Santa Fe, usually reduces fuel economy by 1-2 MPG. For families who want space and features more than ultimate fuel efficiency, the Santa Fe’s MPG is a fair tradeoff. You can view all Hyundai fuel economy data on this site for further comparisons.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Don’t accelerate too fast or brake hard. The Santa Fe’s V6 has enough power, but quick acceleration wastes fuel. Maintain a steady speed when you can. Smooth driving will improve your MPG.

Keep your tires inflated correctly. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the levels on the sticker inside the driver’s side door.

Avoid idling. Letting the engine idle wastes fuel. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Most cars start easily now, and restarting is more efficient than idling.

Remove extra weight. Carrying extra items in the Santa Fe adds weight, which lowers fuel economy. Remove anything you don’t need, especially heavy items in the cargo area, and SANTA MPG across all years can be affected by these circumstances.