Hyundai Australia has revealed its updated 2026 Tucson and Santa Fe, bringing sharper value, a hybrid-first strategy, and the tech-savvy Digital Key 2 as standard.
Tucson: Hybrid and High-Tech
The 2026 Tucson shifts focus to hybrid powertrains, with only the 2.0 MPi petrol hanging on. The 1.6 T-GDi has been retired. Pricing drops between $1,000 and $2,500 depending on trim, making it better value for families.
Digital Key 2 lets you unlock, start, and share access with up to 15 people using your smartphone or Apple Watch—no fob required.
Style updates include new 17-inch alloys on the base model, unique wheel designs for each powertrain, and a fresh Ecotronic Grey colour (pearl or matte). Matte finishes are now exclusive to Premium and N Line.
Santa Fe: Steady Evolution
The 2026 Santa Fe also gains Digital Key 2 across all trims, 18-inch alloys for the base model, and new wheel designs for petrol and hybrid variants. Pricing rises by $400—minor compared with Tucson’s reductions.
Hyundai’s Take
Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO Don Romano says the refreshed SUVs strike “a sweet spot for families,” offering more hybrid options and greater convenience in a highly competitive SUV market.
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#ToyotaHilux #Hilux2025 #HiluxSR5 #ToyotaUte #HiluxReview #FordRanger #RangerWildtrak #RangerRaptor #GWMCannon #4x4Australia #TradieLife #GayCarBoys
ABOVE: 2026 Hyundai Tucson & Santa Fe
Pricing
Price reduction versus 2025 TUCSON highlighted in green.
| Powertrain | TUCSON | TUCSON Elite | TUCSON Premium | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| + N Line pack | + N Line pack | ||||
| 2.0 MPi 6 speed FWD | $38,100 (-$1,000) | $43,100 (-$1,000) | – | – | – |
| 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 6 speed FWD | $42,600 (-$2,500) | $48,100 (-$2,000) | $50,600 (-$2,000) | – | – |
| 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 6 speed AWD | – | $50,600 (-$2,000) | $53,100 (-$2,000) | $58,100 (-$1,500) | $59,600 (-$1,500) |
| Option Pricing | TUCSON | TUCSON Elite | TUCSON Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium paint | $750 | $750 | $750 |
| Matte paint | – | – | $1,000 |
| Two-tone interior | – | – | $295 |
Note: All prices are Manufacturer’s List Price. Price excludes dealer delivery and on road costs
Key Specifications
Changes for 2026 TUCSON are highlighted in green
| TUCSON | 2.0 MPi 2WD 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 2WD |
|---|---|
| 17” alloy wheels – new design | FCA w/Junction Turning + Direct Oncoming |
| Full size spare wheel* (2.0 MPi 2WD only) | FCA 1.5 – Improved w/ 2-wheeler detection |
| Digital Key 2 | High Beam Assist (HBA) |
| Satin chrome beltline + mirror garnish | Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) – Improved |
| Silver skid plates (front/rear) | Parking Distance Warning – Forward/Reverse (PDW F/R) |
| LED headlights (Bi-function MFR) w/LED static cornering lights | Smart key (new design) & push button start |
| LED DRL/positioning light & LED front turn signals | 2x USB C Type outlets |
| LED taillights/stoplight/licence plate lights (bulb turn/reverse) | 4.2” Instrument Cluster |
| Shift by cable (SBC) – Petrol only | Wireless Smart Phone Charger |
| Drive Mode Select – Improved [+MY Drive Mode] | Auto up/down w/ safety front & rear windows |
| Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) / SOS function | LED interior lighting (room, s/visor, cargo) |
| 12.3” Multimedia w/DAB+, Bluelink & OTA | 2x rear USB C Type outlets |
| 6.6″ Dual zone climate control w/Auto Defog & afterblow | Luggage net |
| Key Hybrid specifications above 2.0 MPi: | |
| Space saver spare wheel | e-Motion Drive (eDTVC) |
| Shift By Wire (SBW) w/paddle shifters | Luggage undertray |
| Smart Regenerative Braking |
| TUCSON Elite | 2.0 MPi 2WD 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 2WD & AWD |
|---|---|
| Key specification summary above TUCSON (entry model): | |
| 18” alloy wheels | 12.3” Supervision Cluster |
| Dark chrome grille w/hidden DRL’s | 12.3” Multimedia with navigation & Voice Control |
| Solar control w/screen + front door glass | Smart Power Tailgate |
| Privacy rear glass | Leather appointed seats |
| Shift By Wire (Hybrid) w/paddle shifters | Power driver seat |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA) | Heated front seats |
| Rain sensor | Alloy scuff plates |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) – sensor type | Electro Chromatic Mirror |
| TUCSON Elite + N Line Option Pack | 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 2WD & AWD |
|---|---|
| Key specification summary above TUCSON Elite: | |
| 19” N Line alloy wheels | Body colour cladding |
| Projection type LED Headlights | Gloss black beltline & mirror garnish |
| Intelligent Front-Lighting System (IFS) | Chrome muffler outlet |
| LED reverse lights | N Line sports interior |
| N Line exterior styling | Leather/Suede appointed seats w/red highlights |
| Alloy pedals |
| TUCSON Premium | 1.6T-GDi Hybrid AWD |
|---|---|
| Key specification summary above TUCSON Elite: | |
| Sunroof – Standard | Integrated Memory System (IMS) 2 driver’s seat position |
| 19″ alloy wheels – new design | Power passenger seat & walk-in device |
| Projection type LED Headlights | Heated rear outboard seats |
| Intelligent Front-Lighting System (IFS) | Ventilated front seats |
| Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) | Bose Premium Audio |
| Parking Collision Avoidance Assist-Reverse (PCA-R) | Head Up Display (HUD) – 12″ |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward/Side/Reverse (PDW F/S/R) | 2nd row LED personal reading lights |
| Surround View Monitor (SVM) | Ambient lighting |
| TUCSON Premium + N Line Option Pack | 1.6T-GDi Hybrid AWD |
|---|---|
| Key specification summary above TUCSON Premium: | |
| N Line alloy wheels | Chrome muffler outlet |
| LED reverse lights | N Line sports interior |
| N Line exterior styling | Leather/Suede appointed seats w/red highlights |
| Body colour cladding | Alloy pedals |
| Gloss black beltline & mirror garnish | |
| N Line alloy wheels |
2026 SANTA FE OVERVIEW
Model Line-Up
Alloy Wheel Designs
Pricing
$400 price increase across 2026 SANTA FE range (versus outgoing 2025 model year)
| Powertrain | SANTA FE | SANTA FE Elite | SANTA FE Calligraphy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 T-GDi 2WD 8-speed DCT | $53,400 | – | – |
| 2.5 T-GDi AWD 8-speed DCT | $56,400 | $62,900 | $72,900 |
| 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 2WD 6-speed automatic | $57,400 | – | – |
| 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid AWD 6-speed automatic | $60,400 | $66,900 | $76,900 |
| Option Pricing | |
|---|---|
| 6-Seat configuration – Calligraphy exclusive | $500 |
| Metallic / Mica premium paint | $750 |
| Matte premium paint | $1,000 |
| Supersonic Grey / Forest Green / Pecan Brown interior colours | $295 |
Note: All prices are Manufacturer’s List Price. Price excludes dealer delivery and on road costs
Key Specifications
Changes for 2026 SANTA FE are highlighted in green
| SANTA FE (7-seat) | 2.5T-GDi 8DCT 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 6AT | |
|---|---|---|
| Key specification summary: | ||
| Safety: | Rain sensing wipers | Climate: |
| 10 airbags | Rear Occupant Alert – Logic type (ROA) | 6.6″ touch type climate control display |
| Hyundai SmartSense™ including: | Smart Cruise Control (SCC) | Dual zone climate control |
| Forward Collision Avoidance 2 (FCA2) | Safe Exist Assist (SEA) | 3rd row fan controls |
| FCA – car/ped/cyc/moto | Surround View Monitor (SVM) | Heated front seats |
| FCA – junction turning / crossing | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Comfort & convenience: |
| FCA – Direct oncoming | Exterior: | 12.3″ full digital instrument cluster |
| FCA – Lane change oncoming / side | 18″ alloy wheels w/ full size spare | Power driver seat |
| FCA – Evasive steering assist | Black body cladding | Power tailgate |
| Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance (BCA) | Hyper silver radiator grille | Smart key with Push button start |
| Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) | LED taillights | Acoustic windshield glass |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | MFR LED headlights | Auto up/down windows – all windows |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | Privacy rear glass | Multimedia & connectivity: |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | Roof rails | 12.3″ Multimedia display |
| Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA2) | Interior: | Digital Key 2 |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | Bi-directional centre console | Bluelink® w/ OTA Updates |
| Manual Speed Limit Assist (MSLA) | Cloth seats | Single Wireless phone charger |
| Parking Collision Avoidance Assist | Leather appointed steering wheel | |
| Parking Distance Warning F/S/R (PDW) | Melange knit headlining |
| SANTA FE Elite (7-seat) | 2.5T-GDi 8DCT 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 6AT | |
|---|---|---|
| Key specification summary above SANTA FE (entry model): | ||
| Safety: | Exterior: | Comfort & convenience: |
| Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA-2) | 20″ alloy wheels w/ full size spare | Heated steering wheel |
| Nav-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) | Dark chrome radiator grille | Power driver and passenger seat |
| Rear Occupant Alert – sensor type | Projector LED headlights | Electrochromic mirror (ECM) |
| Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA) | Interior: | Solar windshield & front door glass |
| Leather-appointed seats | Acoustic front door glass | |
| Deluxe scuff plates | Multimedia & connectivity: | |
| Ambient interior lighting | Navigation w/Bluelink® live traffic | |
| Suede headlining | Dual wireless charger | |
| BOSE™ 12 speaker premium audio |
| SANTA FE Calligraphy (6 or 7-seat) | 2.5T-GDi 8DCT 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 6AT | |
|---|---|---|
| Key specification summary above SANTA FE Elite: | ||
| Exterior: | Interior: | Relaxation driver and passenger seat |
| Calligraphy 20” alloy wheel | Nappa leather interior | Ventilated front seats |
| Gloss Black body cladding | Two-tone leather steering wheel | Heated 2nd row outboard seats |
| C-Pillar assist handle | 2nd row captain’s chairs (6 seat only) | Head Up Display (HUD) |
| Dual sunroof | Comfort & convenience: | UV-C sanitising tray |
| Black badging | Digital Centre Mirror (DCM) | Power 2nd row seats (6 seat only) |
| Memory driver seat (IMS) | 2nd row relaxation function (6 seat only) |
#Hyundai2026, #Tucson, #SantaFe, #DigitalKey2, #HybridSUV, #Australia, #EcoCars, #SUVDeals
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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