Hyundai just gave its SUV lineup a serious upgrade. At the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2026, held at JIExpo Kemayoran in Jakarta, PT Hyundai Motors Indonesia officially pulled the covers off the all-new Santa Fe XRT, and it’s easily one of the most talked-about reveals of the show. Positioned as the top-spec, special-edition trim of the Santa Fe Hybrid range, the XRT isn’t just a cosmetic refresh. It’s Hyundai’s answer to buyers who want a rugged, adventure-ready look without giving up the comfort and refinement expected from a flagship SUV.
Design That Means Business
The whole idea behind the XRT is captured in Hyundai’s own tagline for it: “Adventure with Class.” And honestly, that sums up the styling pretty well. The exterior gets a noticeably more muscular treatment compared to the standard Santa Fe, with exclusive XRT badging and design cues throughout. One of the standout additions is a roof rack that immediately signals outdoor intent, useful for road trips, gear-hauling, or just looking the part on a highway drive. Sitting underneath, 20-inch XRT-exclusive alloy wheels add both visual heft and improved stability on the road.
Step inside and the cabin shifts tone a bit, it leans premium with sporty touches rather than going full off-road-rugged. Hyundai has clearly tried to balance the two personas: tough enough to look adventurous, comfortable enough for daily commutes and family duty.
What’s Under the Hood
Powering the Santa Fe XRT is Hyundai’s Smartstream 1.6T-GDi Hybrid setup, a turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine (1,598cc) paired with a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It’s the same hybrid philosophy Hyundai has been pushing globally: solid performance without sacrificing fuel efficiency, which matters a lot for buyers doing long-distance drives or daily city commutes.
On the safety side, the XRT comes loaded with Hyundai SmartSense, the brand’s suite of advanced driver-assistance features, ensuring it’s not just about looks and power but also about keeping occupants safe on longer journeys.
Price: What It Costs in Indian Rupees
In Indonesia, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT is priced at Rp 932,400,000 on-the-road (OTR) Jakarta. Converted to Indian currency at current exchange rates, that works out to roughly ₹49.4 lakh (approximately ₹4.94 million). Keep in mind, this is the Indonesian OTR price if Hyundai ever considers bringing a similar trim to India, local taxes, import duties, and market positioning would likely change the final figure significantly.
Why This Launch Matters
Speaking at the unveiling, Hyundai Motors Indonesia’s leadership noted that the SUV segment continues to be one of the fastest-growing categories both globally and locally, and the XRT is designed to keep the Santa Fe nameplate relevant as consumer preferences shift toward tougher-looking, more versatile vehicles. Alongside the XRT, Hyundai also brought back the New Creta Alpha to the show floor, reinforcing just how serious the brand is about owning the SUV space in Indonesia.
For now, the Santa Fe XRT is exclusive to the Indonesian market, developed specifically with local tastes in mind. Whether it eventually finds its way to other markets, including India, remains to be seen, but as a statement of intent, it’s a strong one. Hyundai is clearly betting big on rugged-premium SUVs being the next big thing, and the Santa Fe XRT looks like a solid first move in that direction.
Rajababu Kushwaha is the Founder and Editor of AutoCrest. He covers the latest car news, reviews, comparisons, EV updates, and buying guides for Indian car buyers.