2025 Hyundai Santa Fe gets more rugged with XRT upgrades

The new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has received a pair of XRT option packages bringing suspension upgrades, tougher rubber and various accessories.

The dealer-fitted XRT packages, available to order now, can only be applied to all-wheel drive Santa Fe models, regardless of trim level.

Both packages swap the standard 20-inch alloy wheels for 17s.

UPDATE, 14/10/2024 –Hyundai Australia has confirmed additional specifications for the Santa Fe’s new XRT packages. We’ve updated this article and brought it forward.

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The XRT Adventure Option Pack costs $6900 and includes:

• 17-inch off-road wheel and tyre package
  • Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus tyres
  • Satin black alloy wheels
• Mudflaps
• Underbody skid plate
• Off-road suspension kit
  • New front struts, springs and hubs
  • New rear dampers, springs and hubs
  • 30mm increase in ride height

The XRT Peak Option Pack costs $9900 and includes all of the above-mentioned equipment, plus:

• Integrated black side steps with 200kg maximum loading capacity
• Hyundai genuine roof racks (80kg load capacity evenly distributed across two bars)
• Roof platform with dual channels on each plank, outer edge channels
• Dark-tinted ‘stylevisors’

Pricing for both is inclusive of parts and labour, while all parts are covered by the same five-year warranty as the Santa Fe itself when fitted by a Hyundai dealership at the time of a new vehicle purchase.

Here’s how XRT package-equipped models differ from regular Santa Fes in terms of approach, departure and breakover angles:

Hyundai says the packages have been developed by an Australian engineering term in collaboration with the Hyundai America Technical Centre in California.

They were tested both on and off the road, with steep unsealed climbs and rocky and sandy descents among the testing environments. Heavy-duty towing was also undertaken.

Hyundai has been busily rolling out XRT models across its SUV range, with the Ioniq 5, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade all receiving the treatment in North America.

This marks the first time the XRT nameplate has been offered in Australia.

The Australian-market XRT option for the Santa Fe is different to that of the US-market model, which is a full-fledged trim level – albeit one with a similarly rugged look and lifted suspension.

The US-market Santa Fe XRT gets dark chrome and black exterior exterior trim elements, plus a unique front bumper and grille. It also has XRT-branded, leatherette-upholstered seats.

It also rides on larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and is offered exclusively with the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that has yet to be introduced to Australia.

MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe