Hyundai Santa Fe trim comparison
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT vs Calligraphy
The Santa Fe XRT starts at $40,950 while the Calligraphy is $46,850. That $5,900 gap buys 4 meaningful differences.
The Calligraphy adds FWD instead of AWD. If you deal with winter roads or need traction off-pavement, that could be worth $5,900 by itself. If not, the XRT saves you the money.
The XRT is the cleaner fit if AWD already covers the job. The Calligraphy only earns the extra money when FWD is the reason you are shopping up.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the XRT to the Calligraphy is about $104/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $6,240 more by the time interest is counted. The real question is whether FWD changes your day-to-day use enough to justify paying above AWD.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when extra traction matters for your weather, roads, or weekend use.
When both feel the same
The XRT and Calligraphy are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 8-speed automated manual transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $5,900 for 3 measurable differences, which works out to about $1,967 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 4 specification differences, 3 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | XRT | Calligraphy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $40,950 | $46,850 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.5L I4 Turbo | 2.5L I4 Turbo |
| Horsepower | 277 hp | 277 hp |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated manual | 8-speed automated manual |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 19 | 20 |
| Highway MPG | 26 | 29 |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 24 |
| Fuel Tank | 17.7 gal | 17.7 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | No published data | $1,800/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 4,486 lbs | 4,343 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 110.8" |
| Length | 190.2" | 190.2" |
| Width | 74.8" | 74.8" |
| Height | 69.7" | 69.7" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 4/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
| IIHS Award | TSP+ | TSP+ |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Powertrain | 10yr/100k | 10yr/100k |
| Corrosion | 7yr/unlimited | 7yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 5yr/unlimited | 5yr/unlimited |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT vs Calligraphy Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Hyundai Santa Fe lineup, the Hyundai brand hub, the Midsize SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2025 Santa Fe Calligraphy cost than the XRT?
The Calligraphy starts at $46,850 compared to $40,950 for the XRT. That is a $5,900 difference, or approximately $104/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT and Calligraphy have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 2.5L I4 Turbo producing 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Does the 2025 Santa Fe XRT come with FWD?
No. The XRT comes standard with AWD while the Calligraphy has FWD. This affects traction, fuel economy, and curb weight.
Is the 2025 Santa Fe XRT or Calligraphy safer?
Both share the same Hyundai Santa Fe platform with an overall 4-star NHTSA safety rating and an IIHS TSP+ designation. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe come with?
All 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe trims, including both the XRT and Calligraphy, come with Hyundai's standard warranty: 5yr/60k bumper-to-bumper and 10yr/100k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy worth $5,900 more than the XRT?
The $5,900 adds FWD. Worth it if you need the traction. Not worth it if you drive on dry roads year-round.
Which 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe trim gets better fuel economy, the XRT or the Calligraphy?
The Calligraphy is the more efficient of the two at 24 combined MPG, versus 22 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $5,900 Gets You
The Santa Fe Calligraphy is a clear upgrade over the XRT. The $5,900 price increase gets you FWD -- real functional changes, not just cosmetics.
XRT vs. Calligraphy: Day-to-Day
The Calligraphy drops to FWD from the XRT's AWD. Less traction capability, but potentially better fuel economy.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Santa Fe Calligraphy gets 2 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $159 per year or $795 over five years of ownership.
What Both Trims Share
Despite the differences above, the XRT and Calligraphy share engine and transmission, keeping the core Santa Fe experience consistent across trims.
Summary
The Santa Fe Calligraphy costs $5,900 more than the XRT (about $104/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 3 meaningful changes at $1,967 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Hyundai Santa Fe XRT
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the XRT best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the Calligraphy when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
As an Amazon Associate, TrimAtlas earns from qualifying purchases.
Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Hyundai or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.