How Many Spark Plugs Does a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Have?

A 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has either 4 or 6 spark plugs, depending on the engine: 4 spark plugs in the 2.4L four-cylinder model and 4 spark plugs in the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder model; the 3.3L V6 found in the regular Santa Fe (not the Sport) uses 6 spark plugs. Understanding which engine is in your vehicle is essential to determine the exact number and type of spark plugs required.

Understanding the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Lineup

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup can be confusing because there are two closely related models: the Santa Fe Sport and the larger three-row Santa Fe. While they share a name, their engines—and therefore their spark plug counts—are not identical. The Santa Fe Sport is a two-row crossover, while the Santa Fe is a three-row SUV, and this distinction matters for basic maintenance such as spark plug replacement.

Santa Fe Sport vs. Santa Fe: The Key Difference

The 2018 Santa Fe Sport is offered only with four-cylinder engines, while the standard 2018 Santa Fe offers a V6 option. This means the Santa Fe Sport never has more than four spark plugs, whereas some non‑Sport Santa Fe models use six spark plugs due to their six-cylinder engines.

Spark Plug Count by Engine Type

To pinpoint the number of spark plugs, you must know exactly which engine is in your 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe or Santa Fe Sport. Each cylinder in a modern gasoline engine uses one spark plug, so the spark plug count matches the number of cylinders.

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Engines

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was sold in the U.S. and many other markets with two gasoline engine options, both of which are inline four-cylinder (I4) engines. These engines each use a single spark plug per cylinder.

The following list outlines the 2018 Santa Fe Sport engines and their spark plug counts.

• 2.4L GDI I4 engine: 4 cylinders, 4 spark plugs
• 2.0L Turbo GDI I4 engine: 4 cylinders, 4 spark plugs

Because both available engines on the 2018 Santa Fe Sport are four-cylinder units, any 2018 Santa Fe Sport you encounter—base or turbo—will have a total of 4 spark plugs.

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe (Non‑Sport) for Comparison

While the question focuses on the Santa Fe Sport, many owners and shoppers mix up the two models. The three-row 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is mechanically different and can use a V6 engine.

The list below clarifies how the regular Santa Fe differs in spark plug count.

• 3.3L V6 engine (Lambda II GDI): 6 cylinders, 6 spark plugs
• No factory four-cylinder option in the U.S. for the three-row 2018 Santa Fe

This distinction underscores that only the larger, three-row Santa Fe carries six spark plugs, while the two-row Santa Fe Sport is limited to four, due to its four-cylinder engines.

How to Confirm Which Engine You Have

Although the Santa Fe Sport’s engine lineup is straightforward, verifying which engine you have helps ensure you get the correct spark plugs and maintenance intervals. Some markets and trims may vary slightly, but in North America, the engine choices are well documented.

Checking the Engine in Your Santa Fe Sport

There are several simple ways to confirm which engine is installed in your specific 2018 Santa Fe Sport without needing professional tools or advanced mechanical knowledge.

The following list explains the most common methods to identify your engine and, by extension, confirm your spark plug count.

1. Look under the hood: The plastic engine cover often has “2.4 GDI” or “2.0T” embossed or labeled, indicating the engine type.
2. Check the owner’s manual: The specifications section lists your engine displacement and configuration.
3. Use the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): A Hyundai dealer or online VIN decoder can reveal the exact engine type by decoding your VIN.
4. Examine your window sticker or purchase documents: Original sales paperwork commonly lists the engine size and whether it is turbocharged.

Whichever method you use, once you’ve confirmed that you indeed have a 2018 Santa Fe Sport with a four-cylinder engine, you can be confident your vehicle requires 4 spark plugs.

Spark Plug Type and Replacement Considerations

Beyond the quantity, selecting the correct type of spark plug and knowing when to replace them are crucial for maintaining performance, fuel economy, and reliability. Hyundai equips the Santa Fe Sport with long‑life spark plugs designed for extended service intervals.

Recommended Spark Plug Types

Hyundai typically specifies iridium or platinum-tipped spark plugs for the 2018 Santa Fe Sport, which are designed to last significantly longer than traditional copper plugs under normal driving conditions.

The following list summarizes key points about the spark plugs commonly specified for the 2018 Santa Fe Sport.

• Material: Iridium or platinum, providing improved longevity and stable spark over time.
• Design: One plug per cylinder, “coil-on-plug” ignition system (no traditional spark plug wires).
• OEM part numbers: Vary slightly by engine (2.4L vs. 2.0T), so parts should be matched using VIN or engine code.
• Gap: Usually pre-gapped from the factory to Hyundai’s specification; however, technicians typically verify the gap before installation.

Using the correct OEM‑grade spark plugs, or high-quality equivalents recognized as compatible, helps ensure smooth operation, proper ignition timing, and compliance with emissions standards.

Maintenance Intervals and Symptoms of Worn Spark Plugs

Hyundai’s maintenance schedule for the 2018 Santa Fe Sport generally recommends extended replacement intervals for factory plugs—commonly around 90,000 to 105,000 miles (roughly 145,000 to 170,000 km), depending on driving conditions and regional specifications. However, real-world factors can shorten this interval.

The list below outlines common signs that your Santa Fe Sport’s spark plugs may be due for inspection or replacement.

• Rough idling: The engine may shake or idle unevenly when the car is stopped.
• Reduced fuel economy: You might notice you are filling up more often without changes in driving habits.
• Hard starting or misfires: The engine could hesitate, misfire, or take longer to start.
• Loss of power: Acceleration may feel weaker, particularly under load or at highway speeds.
• Check Engine Light: Misfire-related trouble codes can be triggered by failing spark plugs or ignition coils.

When these symptoms appear, a technician will often inspect the spark plugs and ignition coils together, as worn plugs can stress coils and vice versa, even if the total plug count—four in the Santa Fe Sport—remains unchanged.

Why the Plug Count Matters for Owners

Knowing that your 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 4 spark plugs may seem like a simple fact, but it directly affects maintenance cost, scheduling, and DIY repairs. It also helps you avoid confusion when reading generic guides that may reference the six-cylinder Santa Fe models instead.

Cost and DIY Implications

For budget-conscious owners, understanding plug count is part of planning routine maintenance. Four spark plugs mean fewer parts to buy and less labor time compared with a V6-equipped model.

The list below highlights how plug count plays into ownership and maintenance decisions.

• Parts cost: You only need 4 plugs, reducing the total parts bill versus a six-cylinder engine with 6 plugs.
• Labor time: Replacing four plugs typically takes less time, lowering labor charges at a repair shop.
• DIY complexity: Accessing four plugs on a transverse four‑cylinder engine is usually more straightforward than accessing rear-bank plugs on a V6.
• Planning intervals: When you know the number and type of plugs, you can more accurately estimate future maintenance expenses.

For many owners, these factors make the Santa Fe Sport relatively economical to maintain, especially compared with larger SUVs that use more cylinders and therefore more spark plugs.

Summary

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport—regardless of whether it uses the 2.4L four-cylinder or the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine—has 4 spark plugs, with one plug per cylinder. This differs from the larger three-row 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, whose 3.3L V6 engine uses 6 spark plugs. Verifying your engine type through the under-hood label, owner’s manual, VIN, or sales documents ensures you purchase the correct plugs and follow the proper maintenance schedule. For owners, knowing this basic detail simplifies planning spark plug replacements, helps avoid confusion with V6 models, and contributes to keeping the vehicle running efficiently and reliably.