The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, a comfortable midsize crossover, has a whopping 10 trim levels—several of which are hybrid options—but each and every one has exactly 8.2 inches of ground clearance.

For those looking for a

family-friendly vehicle

that’s a bit more rugged than your classic minivan, a crossover SUV is a great option. However, picking the perfect SUV depends largely on what you’ll be using it for—and you’ll have to consider specs like engine size, towing capacity, and even ground clearance.

Need to know how the 2022 Santa Fe stacks up? We're here to help you out with everything you need to know about your Hyundai—including its ground clearance.

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2022 Hyundai Santa Fe ground clearance

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe comes in ten different trim levels—several of which are hybrid versions. Here are your options:

SEL

SRT

Blue Hybrid

SEL Premium Hybrid

Limited

SEL Convenience PHEV

Limited Hybrid

Calligraphy

Limited PHEV

No matter which of these you drive, each and every trim level has a ground clearance of 8.2 inches.

Hyundai Santa Fe ground clearance over the years

If you’re driving a 2022 Santa Fe, you can be sure that the ground clearance will be 8.2 inches—although that’s not necessarily the case if you’re driving an older model.

Hyundai began producing the Sante Fe in 2001, and here’s how the ground clearance varied over the years:

1st generation (2001-2006): 7.4 to 8.1 inches

2nd generation (2007-2012): 7.9 to 8.1 inches

3rd generation (2013-2018): 7.3 inches

4th generation (2019-present): 7.2 to 8.2 inches

Exact clearance numbers depend on the specific year your Hyundai was produced. For example, if you opt for a used 2020 Sante Fe, your SUV will have an inch less ground clearance than the most recent model.

MORE: The 10 best SUVs for towing

What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

So now that you have the numbers in mind—what exactly do they mean? Ground clearance is quite simple to measure—it’s simply the space between the lowest point on your vehicle and the ground.

Understanding ground clearance is most important for drivers who are considering taking their Santa Fe off-road. The fact is, not all SUVs are built the same, and you don’t want to rip through rough terrain if it’ll risk damage to your vehicle’s undercarriage.

Experts recommend aiming for a minimum ground clearance of 8.5 inches for off-roading adventures, which means your 2022 Santa Fe probably sits a little bit too low for extremely adventurous terrains. If you do find yourself off the beaten path, be sure to proceed with caution!

MORE:

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport towing capacity

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Is the Hyundai Sante Fe a good off-road vehicle?

If your prime reason for buying a Sante Fe is a desire to go off road, you’re probably better off looking elsewhere. It’s not marketed as a serious off-road vehicle.

However, if you want a practical and comfortable SUV that can handle the occasional semi-rough terrain, the Sante Fe might be a great option. The Santa Fe offers 4-wheel drive options, and its ground clearance is just under the recommended 8.5 inches, so it can handle rough fields without much difficulty.

If you take your family on camping vacations that require you to drive through unfinished parking lots, your Hyundai shouldn’t have any trouble in wet or dry weather. However, more serious off-roaders might consider sportier vehicles, like the

Jeep Wrangler

or the

Ford Bronco

MORE:

The top 10 cheapest SUVs to insure

Protect your Sante Fe from accidents with great insurance

Whether or not your Sante Fe sees the road less traveled, you’ll want to make sure you protect it with the very best

car insurance

policy. Fortunately,

Jerry

makes it incredibly easy to get great coverage at an even greater rate.

It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.

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