2012 Hyundai Santa Fe MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is rated 21 to 23 mpg combined across 5 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe · 5 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

23MPG combined

20 city 27 highway

$2,900 a year to fuel

2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $2,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,900 to $3,200 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2011.

More complaints than a typical Santa Fe year

The 2012 drew 103 owner complaints in its first three years, against 93 for a typical Santa Fe year.

Years to avoid: 2017 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Santa Fe year ranked The 2012 Santa Fe's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Santa Fe version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Santa Fe 2WD	23 mpg	20 / 27	$2,900
2.4L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Santa Fe 4WD	22 mpg	20 / 25	$3,050
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Santa Fe 4WD	22 mpg	20 / 25	$3,050
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Santa Fe 2WD	22 mpg	20 / 26	$3,050
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Santa Fe 2WD	21 mpg	19 / 26	$3,200

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,915	$243	$14,576
2.4L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$3,048	$254	$15,239
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$3,048	$254	$15,239
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,048	$254	$15,239
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$3,193	$266	$15,964

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Hyundai Santa Fe MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 23 to 26 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2021. Hybrid: 34 to 36 mpg (2021 to 2026); 36 since 2024.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 23 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Hyundai Santa Fe best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	23	–
2011	23	–
2012	23	–
2013	24	–
2014	23	–
2015	23	–
2016	23	–
2017	24	–
2018	24	–
2019	25	–
2020	25	–
2021	26	34
2022	26	34
2023	26	34
2024	24	36
2025	24	36
2026	24	36

Every Santa Fe year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Santa Fe compares

2012 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	29 mpg	21 mpg	$2,850
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	28 mpg	22 mpg	$2,400
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Ford Explorer Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Hyundai Santa Fe This page Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Honda Pilot Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Nissan Murano Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Dodge Durango Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
GMC Acadia Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Buick Enclave Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	17 mpg	17 mpg	$4,850

Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa FeMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2012 Santa Fe recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 353 owner complaints for the 2012 Santa Fe.

Owners most often describe stalling (97 complaints, 27%), then engine failure (78). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 3 stars.

See the 2012 Santa Fe recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe's gas mileage?

Sometimes. On versions that differ only in drive, the gap ranges from 0 to 1 mpg combined: the 2.4L 4-cyl gets 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 22 with 4WD.

Does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 Santa Fe's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 23 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.