2026 Hyundai Santa Fe cops $400 price hike, gets digital key along with Tucson

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup has received a $400 price increase across the large SUV range, but also an upgrade to Digital Key 2 and bigger 18-inch alloy wheels for the entry-level model grade. 

Now priced at $53,400 before on-road costs, the entry-level Santa Fe continues to be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 206kW of power and 422Nm of torque, matched as standard with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Changes for 2026 include one-inch-larger 18-inch alloy wheels – including a full-size spare wheel – at base level and, for every model grade, Hyundai’s Digital Key 2.

Digital Key 2 – previously standard with the mid-range Santa Fe Elite and top-spec Premium – enables owners to connect a digital car key to their smartphone’s wallet, offering vehicle entry and start/stop functionality via their device.

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Compatible with Apple and Android/Google smartphones, the digital key can also be shared with family, friends or co-workers – should the vehicle be driven by multiple people. 

Hyundai introduced its digital key in 2020, when Australians first experienced the latest Digital Key 2 in the Ioniq 9 large electric SUV. 

There are no other changes to the Santa Fe lineup for 2026 – but Digital Key 2 is also now standard for the smaller Tucson mid-size SUV.

Hyundai Santa Fe pricing

Hyundai previously announced price cuts of up to $2500 for the 2026 Tucson range – the brand’s most popular model behind the smaller Kona compact SUV so far in 2025 – and the axing of the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

For MY26, the Korean brand’s answer to the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V now starts at $38,100 before on-road costs, $1000 less the previously. 

Hyundai has now confirmed Digital Key 2 across all Tucson model grades, plus a new 17-alloy wheel design for the entry-level 2.0-litre variant, and new 18-inch alloys for hybrid and 2.5-litre petrol vehicles.  A shuffling of exterior colour options sees matte paint now exclusive to Tucson Premium and N Line grades, while Ecotronic Grey replaces Titan Grey Metallic on the colour selection chart. 

Hyundai Tucson pricing

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