Hyundai Santa Fe Tire and Wheel Sizes: All Generations

ByAlex Smidt

Choosing the correct tire and wheel size for your Hyundai Santa Fe is essential for maintaining safety, ride comfort, fuel efficiency, and handling precision. Since its debut in 2001, the Santa Fe has gone through four main generations, each with distinct factory-specified tire dimensions, rim sizes, and optional upgrade packages. This guide covers every generation in detail, including all trim-level variations, so you can confidently select the right rubber for your specific vehicle.

First Generation Hyundai Santa Fe (SM, 2001–2006) – Tire and Wheel Sizes

The original Santa Fe was built on a car-based platform and offered a relatively modest wheel package for an SUV of its era.

  • Standard tire size: 225/70R16 – fitted on base and mid-spec trims
  • Upgraded tire size: 235/60R17 – available on higher trims and in certain markets
  • Rim size (standard): 16×6.5 inches, steel or alloy
  • Rim size (upgrade): 17×7 inches, alloy
  • Bolt pattern: 5×114.3 mm
  • Center bore: 67.1 mm
  • Offset (ET): ET46 (standard) / ET45 (17-inch)
  • Tire pressure (front/rear): 30–32 PSI (2.1–2.2 bar) depending on load
  • Spare tire: Full-size temporary spare, 225/70R16 on most markets

Second Generation Hyundai Santa Fe (CM, 2006–2012) – Tire and Wheel Sizes

The CM generation introduced a larger body and wider wheel options across all trim levels, reflecting the model’s growing premium positioning.

  • Base trim tire size: 225/70R16
  • Mid trim tire size: 235/65R17
  • Top trim tire size: 235/55R18 – introduced for Sport and Limited trims from 2010
  • Rim size (16-inch): 16×7 inches, steel wheels
  • Rim size (17-inch): 17×7 inches, alloy wheels
  • Rim size (18-inch): 18×7.5 inches, alloy wheels
  • Bolt pattern: 5×114.3 mm
  • Center bore: 67.1 mm
  • Offset (ET): ET46 for 16/17-inch; ET46 for 18-inch
  • Tire pressure (front/rear): 32/32 PSI (2.2/2.2 bar) standard load
  • Spare tire: Compact temporary spare (T165/80D17) on most markets from 2009+

Third Generation Hyundai Santa Fe (DM/NC, 2012–2018) – Tire and Wheel Sizes

The DM generation brought a significant jump in refinement and also introduced the long-wheelbase Santa Fe Sport (5-seat) and Grand Santa Fe (7-seat) variants, each with their own sizing specifications.

  • Santa Fe Sport 2.4L base tire: 235/65R17
  • Santa Fe Sport 2.0T upgrade tire: 235/55R19
  • Santa Fe (7-seat/Grand) base tire: 235/65R17
  • Santa Fe (7-seat/Grand) top trim tire: 235/60R18
  • Rim size (17-inch): 17×7 inches, alloy
  • Rim size (18-inch): 18×7.5 inches, alloy
  • Rim size (19-inch): 19×7.5 inches, alloy – available on Sport 2.0T Ultimate
  • Bolt pattern: 5×114.3 mm
  • Center bore: 67.1 mm
  • Offset (ET): ET46 across all wheel sizes
  • Tire pressure (front/rear): 33/33 PSI (2.3/2.3 bar) – check door jamb sticker for exact values
  • Spare tire: Compact spare T155/90D17 on most configurations
  • 2016–2018 facelift: No change in bolt pattern or offset; 19-inch became standard on top trims in some markets

Fourth Generation Hyundai Santa Fe (TM/MX5, 2018–Present) – Tire and Wheel Sizes

The current TM-generation Santa Fe (launched 2018, facelifted 2021 and significantly revised as the MX5 in 2024) features the widest range of factory wheel options ever offered on this model.

  • Base trim (entry-level) tire size: 235/65R17
  • Mid trim tire size: 235/60R18
  • Top trim (2018–2020) tire size: 235/55R19
  • Facelift top trim (2021–2023) tire size: 235/50R20 – introduced on Signature and Calligraphy trims
  • MX5 (2024+) base tire: 235/60R18
  • MX5 (2024+) top trim tire: 255/45R20
  • Rim size (17-inch): 17×7 inches, steel or alloy
  • Rim size (18-inch): 18×7.5 inches, alloy
  • Rim size (19-inch): 19×7.5 inches, alloy
  • Rim size (20-inch): 20×8 inches, alloy – introduced 2021 facelift
  • Bolt pattern: 5×114.3 mm
  • Center bore: 67.1 mm
  • Offset (ET): ET46 for 17/18-inch; ET46 for 19-inch; ET45 for 20-inch
  • Tire pressure (front/rear): 33–35 PSI (2.3–2.4 bar) depending on load rating and trim
  • TPMS: Direct TPMS standard from 2018 onwards; sensors must be re-programmed when changing wheel sets
  • Spare tire: Compact spare T165/90D17 or no spare (tire repair kit) on some markets

Cross-Generation Bolt Pattern and Compatibility Summary

  • Bolt pattern (all generations): 5×114.3 mm – consistent across SM, CM, DM, and TM
  • Center bore (all generations): 67.1 mm – use hub-centric rings if fitting aftermarket wheels with larger bore
  • Wheel offset range: ET44–ET48 is safe; exceeding this range affects suspension geometry and wheel bearing life
  • Stud thread size: M12×1.5 – all generations
  • Lug nut torque: 88–103 Nm (65–76 lb-ft) depending on model year

Winter Tire and Aftermarket Fitment Guidelines

  • For winter use, downsizing one inch (e.g., from 18-inch to 17-inch) is recommended to allow a taller sidewall for better cold-weather grip and protection
  • Safe winter size for CM generation: 225/65R17 or 235/65R17
  • Safe winter size for DM generation: 235/65R17 or 235/60R17
  • Safe winter size for TM generation: 235/65R17 on a separate 17-inch steel rim set
  • Maximum section width increase without arch modification: +10 mm from OEM size
  • Tire overall diameter should remain within ±3% of OEM to preserve speedometer accuracy and ABS calibration
  • TPMS sensors on TM generation: use brand-compatible 433 MHz sensors for winter wheel sets

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