Hyundai Santa Fe Third Row Seating: What To Know
Source: Pixabay
The third-row seat is usually a helpful addition to any car designed to fit a large family. For some vehicles, it provides seating for up to 6 passengers. Higher models can carry as many as nine people, depending on their configuration.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size SUV that offers three-row seating for models made up until 2019. In today’s post, we’ll provide all the information that you need to know about the Hyundai Santa Fe’s third row seating.
What Model Years of Hyundai Santa Fe Have Third Row Seating?
The Hyundai Santa Fe was introduced in 2001 as Hyundai’s first SUV. The first-generation model was marketed and sold until 2006. Three more generations followed after that, and the SUV is currently in its fourth generation.
In 2012, Hyundai offered the Santa Fe two wheelbase options: a shorter 5-seat Sport variant with either five seats or seven seats in some markets and a long-wheelbase variant called the Santa Fe XL with three rows of seats. The XL was previously known as Santa Fe and was only renamed in 2019. It provided room for six to seven passengers.
The third-row seating was available up until the 2019 model year. From 2020 onwards, buyers get only two rows of seats to accommodate five people. Hyundai said customers would be at a disservice if they continued to have a third-row seat because it did not provide enough legroom.
The carmaker decided to replace the Santa Fe XL with a completely new model – the Hyundai Palisade. It offers enough legroom in its third row and has enough space for cargo. It does not compromise on space like the Santa Fe XL.
GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, we’ll show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long it’s been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby.
Hyundai Santa Fe Third-Row Seating Specs
The third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe (2012-2019) offers three rows of seating space. It can accommodate up to seven people in the standard SE trim and six in the Santa Fe XL trim. Meanwhile, the front row offers 41.3 inches of legroom, the second row provides 40.4 inches of legroom, and the third offers 30.9 inches.
The first row has ample leg- and headroom and can accommodate taller occupants without any struggle. The second row is roomy and equally comfortable for taller people. The third row feels slightly cramped and can only accommodate kids.
Most adults will find it challenging to stay comfortable, especially on long journeys. The knees-up position is something you may find awkward. The Hyundai Palisade offers a little more legroom in its third row and is the better option for larger families.
Effect of Hyundai Santa Fe Third-row Seating on Cargo Space
The Hyundai Santa Fe doesn’t fare that well when offering enough legroom for its rear passengers. According to the dimensions provided, when all seats are in use, it seems to perform worse in cargo volume.
Folding the rear seats in the Hyundai Santa Fe is a breeze. It offers a mere 13.5 cubic feet behind its third-row seat. When the seats are folded, this increases to 40.9 cubic feet and 80 cubic feet when the second and third rows are split. The third row folds instantly after manipulating a few straps. The same case applies to the middle row once you pull the lever on each side of the captain’s chairs.
Compared to other midsize SUVs that compete in the same market segment, the cargo volume you get behind the third row is too small. The two-row Santa Fe Sport offers 35.4 cubic feet behind its second row and 71.5 cubic feet when the second row is folded. This shows how much space the third row takes away in the Santa Fe XL. As for the Hyundai Palisade, you get 18 cubic feet when all three rows are used.
THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE
There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new sedans with high ground clearance.
Standard Features That Come with the Hyundai Santa Fe Third-row Seating
The Hyundai Santa Fe is quiet inside and can block out most wind and road noise at higher speeds. It mixes modern styling and quality materials to make sure occupants feel comfortable. As standard, buyers get cloth upholstery with leather as an option.
Other available options include second-row captain’s chairs that reduce the seating capacity to six, ventilated front seats, and heated front and rear seats. The Santa Fe also offers two LATCH connectors for car seats in its second row.
The tether anchors are designed differently and can be confused with other hardware. Lower anchors are also provided but positioned way too deep inside the seats. The overall quality of material used is fine for a mid-size SUV like the Santa Fe.
Comparison Between Hyundai Santa Fe Third-row Seating and Its Competition
The Hyundai Santa Fe XL competes against the Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX-9, Subaru Ascent, Kia Sorento, and the Volkswagen Atlas. Below is a comparison between Santa Fe and its rivals regarding legroom in the third-row seat.
** **
While the Hyundai Santa Fe XL offers a cramped third-row seat that wouldn’t fit many adults, it is more spacious than the Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Mazda CX-9. These rivals offer less legroom in the third row.
Models that offer a bit more than you get in the Santa Fe include the Kia Telluride at 31.4 and the Kia Sorento and Subaru Ascent at 31.7 inches. The Honda Pilot follows closely at 31.9 inches, while the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas go above and beyond at 33.5 and 33.7 inches. The Ford Explorer is also available with a third row that offers 10 inches more legroom than the Santa Fe if you’re looking for maximum legroom.
THE BEST CARS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Whether you’re squeezing into a tight campus parking spot or hauling ten loads of laundry back home, these best cars for college students will get you, your friends, and your stuff where you’re going.
Hyundai Santa Fe Third-Row Seating: Worth It?
The Hyundai Santa Fe no longer comes with a third-row seat. However, you can still get yourself a 2019 or earlier model that provides the same with a capacity for seven passengers. If you’re looking for more legroom and cargo area than what you’d get in it, Hyundai offers the Palisade as a replacement.
A seven-seater SUV is an attractive proposition since you’ll have extra passenger space for the little ones – plus maybe the dog and a few suitcases. However, just because you can buy a three-row SUV, it doesn’t mean you should because, unfortunately, many crossovers and SUVs just won’t cut it in terms of third-row seating. With that said, is it worth it to have a third-row seat on the Santa Fe?
One of the top arguments regarding third-row seats is that they cost money. Is it worth having a feature that you rarely use throughout your ownership? Probably not! Conversely, if you’re planning to haul more than four adults with any regularity, maybe it’s better to go for a larger SUV, such as Hyundai’s excellent Palisade.
In the case of the Santa Fe, you can’t even buy a seven-seater model anymore. And it’s likely for the best, even though the XL version offers a competitive third-row seating. Having third-row seats can be convenient, but they sure have pros and cons. Our advice is if you want a comfortable third-row seat experience, stick with larger vehicles.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
