How Many Quarts of Oil Does a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Take?

A Hyundai Santa Fe Sport typically takes between 4.9 and 6.9 quarts of engine oil, depending on the model year and whether it has the 2.4L or 2.0L turbo engine. The most common configurations are 5.1 quarts for the 2.4L engine and 5.3 quarts for the 2.0L turbo, but some earlier or later years differ slightly. Below is a detailed breakdown by engine and model year, along with guidance on how to confirm the exact capacity for your specific vehicle.

Why Oil Capacity Varies on the Santa Fe Sport

The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was sold in North America primarily for model years 2013–2018, and it came with two main engine options: a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Oil capacity can differ by engine type, model year, and whether you replace the oil filter, which is why it is important to match the exact configuration of your SUV.

Typical Oil Capacities by Engine

2.4L GDI Four-Cylinder Engine

The 2.4L GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine has been the volume engine for the Santa Fe Sport and is found in most non-turbo trims. In practice, most owners and service guides report oil capacities right around 5 quarts, with small variations by year and market. When the oil filter is changed (which is standard for routine services), the capacity rises slightly over the “without filter” spec.

The following list summarizes typical oil capacities for the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport equipped with the 2.4L engine, assuming an oil and filter change. Always verify against your owner’s manual or oil-cap specification label.

• 2013–2014 Santa Fe Sport 2.4L: Approximately 4.9–5.1 quarts (about 4.6–4.8 liters) with filter
• 2015–2016 Santa Fe Sport 2.4L: Approximately 5.1 quarts (4.8 liters) with filter
• 2017–2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.4L: Approximately 5.1 quarts (4.8 liters) with filter

While the exact published figure can shift slightly between 4.9 and 5.1 quarts depending on the source, technicians typically use a 5-quart fill as the working number, then adjust by checking the dipstick to reach the correct level.

2.0L Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Engine

The 2.0L turbo engine, usually found in higher trims like 2.0T or 2.0T Limited, uses slightly more oil than the base 2.4L due to its turbocharger and oiling demands. This engine typically takes just over 5 quarts when the oil filter is replaced, though again there are fractional differences depending on year and documentation.

The following list summarizes the usual oil capacities for Hyundai Santa Fe Sport models equipped with the 2.0L turbo engine, assuming an oil and filter change.

• 2013–2014 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T: Approximately 5.1–5.3 quarts (about 4.8–5.0 liters) with filter
• 2015–2016 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T: Approximately 5.3 quarts (5.0 liters) with filter
• 2017–2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T: Approximately 5.3 quarts (5.0 liters) with filter

In real-world servicing, mechanics generally start with about 5 quarts, then add small amounts while watching the dipstick level to avoid overfilling, which is especially important on turbocharged engines.

How to Find the Exact Capacity for Your Specific Santa Fe Sport

Because documentation and minor engineering changes can shift the published capacity by a few tenths of a quart, Hyundai strongly recommends checking your specific vehicle’s references rather than relying solely on generic figures.

The following steps outline reliable ways to confirm the exact oil capacity for your Santa Fe Sport, ensuring accuracy for your model year and engine.

1. Check the owner’s manual: Look under “Lubrication System” or “Specifications” for engine oil capacity with and without filter.
2. Inspect the engine compartment labels: Some vehicles include a small under-hood label listing oil grade and capacity.
3. Use Hyundai’s official website or owner portal: Enter your VIN to access manuals and maintenance specifications.
4. Call a Hyundai dealer’s service department: Provide the year, engine (2.4L or 2.0T), and VIN for the exact figure they use in the shop.
5. Cross-check with trusted databases: Professional services like ALLDATA, Mitchell, or OEM-based service tools can confirm capacity if you or your mechanic have access.

Using at least one OEM-backed source helps avoid errors that sometimes appear in third-party charts or generalized online tables.

Practical Tips When Changing Oil

Beyond the raw capacity number, the way you perform or supervise an oil change can determine whether your Santa Fe Sport’s engine is properly protected. Careful attention during filling, checking, and selecting oil type is critical for both the 2.4L and 2.0T engines.

Filling and Checking the Level

Even with a listed capacity, Hyundai and most professional technicians recommend using the dipstick as the final authority. That’s because how long the old oil was drained, whether the vehicle was perfectly level, and filter design can slightly alter the real-world amount the engine accepts.

The following list outlines a conservative approach to filling your Santa Fe Sport with the correct amount of oil.

1. Start below the printed capacity: Pour in about 4.5 quarts for 2.4L or 2.0T, then pause.
2. Let the oil settle: Wait a couple of minutes to allow oil to drain into the pan.
3. Check the dipstick: Wipe, reinsert, and confirm whether the level is below, at, or near the “F” or upper mark.
4. Add in small increments: Top up 0.2–0.3 quarts at a time, rechecking until the level is between the low and high marks (ideally just below the high mark).
5. Run the engine briefly: Start the engine for 30–60 seconds, shut it off, wait a few minutes, and re-check to confirm the final level.

This gradual method helps prevent overfilling, which can aerate the oil, affect seals, and in extreme cases damage the catalytic converter if excess oil is burned.

Recommended Oil Type and Viscosity

Santa Fe Sport models sold in North America are typically specified for a synthetic or synthetic-blend oil of a particular viscosity range. Hyundai’s recommendations can vary by climate and year, but most Santa Fe Sports are commonly filled with 5W-20 or 5W-30 engine oil meeting current API and ILSAC standards.

The following list outlines general oil recommendations often associated with the Santa Fe Sport line. Always verify with your exact model year’s manual.

• Viscosity: Commonly 5W-20 or 5W-30, depending on ambient climate and year.
• Specification: Look for API SP (or at least SN) and ILSAC GF-6 or GF-5 ratings on the bottle.
• Synthetic vs. conventional: Full synthetic is usually recommended for modern GDI and turbo engines to help with heat and deposits.
• Turbo engines: For 2.0T models, full synthetic is particularly advisable due to higher operating temperatures.

Using the correct viscosity and quality level is just as important as filling the right volume; together, they ensure proper lubrication, fuel economy, and engine longevity.

Key Takeaways and Summary

For most Hyundai Santa Fe Sport models built between 2013 and 2018, the engine oil capacity with filter is in the 5-quart range—typically around 5.1 quarts for the 2.4L and 5.3 quarts for the 2.0L turbo. Some documentation rounds these numbers slightly up or down, but in practice technicians fill close to 5 quarts and then fine-tune using the dipstick.

To be precise for your vehicle, you should confirm the capacity using the owner’s manual, Hyundai’s official resources, or a dealer’s service department, then fill gradually and rely on the dipstick to set the final level. Correct volume, correct viscosity, and consistent oil changes together offer the best protection for your Santa Fe Sport’s engine.