How Long Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is approximately 188.4 inches (4,785 mm) long in its U.S. specification, placing it solidly in the midsize SUV segment; this dimension is consistent across its gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid trims in North America.

Understanding the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe’s Dimensions

The question about the length of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe goes beyond a simple number: vehicle length affects parking ease, interior space, ride comfort, and how the SUV fits into garages and urban environments. For shoppers comparing midsize SUVs, knowing the exact length helps them decide if the Santa Fe is a practical fit for their lifestyle and physical space constraints.

Official Length of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

According to Hyundai’s official specifications for the U.S. market, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe measures about 188.4 inches (4.78 meters) from bumper to bumper. This figure applies broadly across most trims, including SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy, as well as the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants sold in North America.

Key Length Figures at a Glance

The following list summarizes the most relevant length-related measurements for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe as published for the U.S. market. These numbers help car buyers quickly compare it with competing SUVs in the same class.

• Overall length: approximately 188.4 inches (4,785 mm)
• Wheelbase: approximately 108.9 inches (2,766 mm)
• Overall width (excluding mirrors): about 74.8 inches (1,900 mm)
• Overall height (varies slightly by trim, with/without roof rails): around 66.3–67.3 inches (1,684–1,709 mm)

Taken together, these key figures position the Santa Fe as a comfortably sized midsize SUV—long enough to offer good interior room, yet compact enough to remain maneuverable in daily driving and parking scenarios.

How the Santa Fe’s Length Compares in the Midsize SUV Segment

Vehicle shoppers often want to know whether an SUV is “big” or “small” for its class. The Santa Fe’s 188.4-inch length is typical of a five-passenger midsize SUV and sits near the middle of the pack when compared with popular rivals.

Relative Size Versus Common Rivals

The following list compares approximate lengths of the 2023 Santa Fe with several key competitors, helping illustrate where it stands in the midsize SUV landscape.

• 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe: ~188.4 inches
• 2023 Honda CR‑V (compact–midsize crossover): ~184.8 inches
• 2023 Toyota RAV4 (compact crossover): ~180.9 inches
• 2023 Kia Sorento (3-row option, midsize): ~189.0 inches
• 2023 Toyota Highlander (3-row midsize): ~194.9 inches
• 2023 Ford Edge (2-row midsize): ~188.8 inches

This comparison shows that the Santa Fe is longer than most compact crossovers like the RAV4 and CR‑V, similar in length to two-row midsize SUVs, and shorter than larger three-row models like the Highlander, making it a middle-ground choice in size and practicality.

Why the Santa Fe’s Length Matters for Buyers

The overall length of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has real-world implications: it affects how easy it is to park, how much interior cargo and passenger space is available, and whether the SUV will physically fit in typical garages and parking spaces.

Practical Implications of a 188.4-Inch SUV

Below are some key ways the Santa Fe’s length plays into everyday usability and ownership considerations. This overview gives prospective buyers a clearer idea of what to expect in day-to-day driving and parking situations.

• Garage fit: At about 188.4 inches, the Santa Fe will fit in most standard U.S. single-car garages, though owners of older or shorter garages may want to measure available depth first.
• Parking maneuverability: Its length is manageable for urban and suburban parking, including parallel spaces, while still offering more presence and space than a typical compact SUV.
• Interior space balance: The length supports generous rear-seat legroom and a sizable cargo area behind the second row, without moving into the extra-long, three-row territory.
• Ride comfort and stability: The combination of its overall length and 108.9-inch wheelbase contributes to a stable, comfortable ride, particularly at highway speeds.

For most families and commuters, this balance of exterior size and interior space makes the Santa Fe a practical, versatile option that does not feel unwieldy but still offers SUV-level utility.

Regional Variations and Trim Differences

In general, the published length of around 188.4 inches is consistent across trims and powertrains of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe in North America, with only minor variation that may occur due to different bumpers, styling elements, or market-specific equipment.

Market-Specific Notes

While the core platform remains the same globally, small dimensional differences can appear between regions and trims. The following points outline what shoppers should keep in mind when looking at specs from different sources or countries.

• North American models: Gas, Hybrid, and Plug-in Hybrid Santa Fe models in the U.S. and Canada are all listed at roughly 188.4 inches in length.
• International markets: In some regions, published data may be rounded slightly differently (for example, 4,780 mm vs. 4,785 mm), leading to minor numerical discrepancies that do not reflect a meaningful size change.
• Appearance packages: Trims like XRT or models with different bumper designs may have negligible differences in total length, but they remain effectively the same size for parking and garage-fit purposes.

These small deviations rarely affect real-world usability; for all practical purposes, buyers can treat the 2023 Santa Fe as a 188-inch-class midsize SUV regardless of trim or minor regional rounding.

Summary

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe measures approximately 188.4 inches (4,785 mm) in overall length, placing it firmly within the midsize SUV category. This dimension is consistent across its U.S. trims and powertrains and helps deliver a balance of interior room, cargo space, and maneuverability. Compared with rivals, it is larger than compact crossovers but shorter than full three-row midsize SUVs, making it a strong choice for buyers seeking a right-sized, two-row family vehicle that still fits comfortably in most garages and parking spaces.

What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Santa Fe?

Top Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

• Hesitation.
• No Sound from Speakers.
• Engine Stalling/Shutting Down While Driving (Crankshaft Position Sensor Issues)
• Stuttering Transmission.
• Engine Failure.
• Air Bag Issues.
• Paint Issues/Paint Coming Off.
• Fuel Level Sensor and Gauge Malfunction/Failure.

Why did Hyundai discontinue Santa Fe?

The Hyundai Santa Fe has not been discontinued but has faced specific issues in different markets and model years. In North America, Hyundai discontinued the 2024 model’s dual-clutch transmission (DCT) due to a recall for a roll-away risk and other issues, while in Canada, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model was dropped for 2025. In India, the previous generation model was discontinued in 2017 due to slow sales and high price compared to competitors.
 
This video shows a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe that was bought back by the company due to transmission issues: 58sCar ConfectionsYouTube · May 24, 2024

• Transmission and safety concerns: In 2024, Hyundai issued a stop-sale for certain Santa Fe models because of a recall related to the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The DCT had a software issue that could have caused the vehicle to roll away after being shifted into park, and some transmissions were also found to be physically damaged. The remedy included a software update, and any damaged transmissions were to be replaced. 
• Specific model year and market changes: The 2025 model year for the Santa Fe in Canada no longer offers a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, though it is still available in other markets. The sole powertrain option for the redesigned 2025 Santa Fe in Canada is the hybrid version. 
• Market-specific discontinuation: The previous generation of the Santa Fe was discontinued in India in 2017 because of low sales, driven by strong competition and pricing that was less competitive than rivals like the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. 
• General issues: Some sources mention broader issues with the Santa Fe, such as engine complaints, potential recalls due to airbag issues, and high failure rates for some transmission types in specific model years. 

This video discusses several problems with the Hyundai Santa Fe, including the dual-clutch transmission: 56sFuel ForceYouTube · Sep 1, 2025

Which Santa Fe to stay away from?

You should be wary of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, and potentially the 2012 and 2007 models, due to a history of serious mechanical issues such as engine failure, excessive oil consumption, and transmission problems. Other model years to be cautious of include 2008, 2009, 2013, and 2014, which have also been associated with engine and electrical issues. 
Specific model years to avoid

• 2017: This model year is frequently cited as one of the worst due to engine failure, oil consumption, and transmission issues. 
• 2012: Known for engine problems, particularly with the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. 
• 2007: Plagued with numerous owner complaints, especially concerning the suspension and drivetrain. 
• 2008 and 2009: Carry forward some of the same issues as the 2007 model. 
• 2013 and 2014: Have been linked to mechanical and electrical issues. 

Common problems across model years

• Engine and transmission issues: Several model years are associated with catastrophic engine failures and transmission problems.
• Excessive oil consumption: This was a significant problem for the 2017 model and has been reported in others.
• Electrical and fuel system problems: Some models have had issues such as faulty fuel gauges and ABS module fire risks. 

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe bigger than the Toyota RAV4?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with its slightly larger exterior than the 2024 Toyota RAV4, offering a bolder stance. While both SUVs are compact, the increased length of the Santa Fe — just over 9 inches — provides a more spacious feel and enhanced road presence.