The Best 2026 Hyundai SUVs for Summer Road Trips
The Best 2026 Hyundai SUVs for Summer Road Trips
Posted on April 30, 2026
Summer in Ontario is short, and that means road trip season fills up fast. From weekends at Sauble Beach to drives through Algonquin Park or long hauls up to Muskoka, the right SUV can make or break the experience. Hyundai's 2026 lineup offers a range of options — and depending on how many people, how much gear, and how far you're planning to go, a different model might be the best fit for your plans.
This guide covers five of the 2026 Hyundai SUVs worth considering for summer travel, with a focus on the things that actually matter on a long drive: cargo space, comfort, efficiency, and range. Here's how each one stacks up for families and drivers in Cambridge and across Ontario.
Hyundai Venue: Best for Solo Travellers and City Stoppers
If your road trip is more of a weekend away for one or two people with light luggage, the 2026 Venue is a solid pick. It runs on a 1.6L inline-4 engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. Fuel economy comes in at 7.9 L/100 km city and 6.9 L/100 km highway — easy on the budget when you're covering distance.
Cargo space with the rear seats up sits at 528 L, which handles weekend bags and a cooler without a problem. The Venue is also the most manoeuvrable of the group, with a 5.1-metre turning radius that makes parking in unfamiliar downtown cores a lot less stressful.
- Engine: 1.6L inline-4, 121 hp, 113 lb-ft torque
- Cargo (seats up): 528 L
- Fuel economy: 6.9 L/100 km highway
- Drive: Front-wheel drive
Hyundai Kona: Best for Active Couples and Weekend Warriors
The 2026 Kona steps up the cargo game significantly with 723 L of space behind the rear seats. Available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive depending on trim, the standard 2.0L engine delivers solid highway manners, while the N Line trim adds a 1.6L turbocharged engine producing more spirited performance for mountain roads or passes through the Laurentians on the way east.
All-wheel drive comes standard on the Preferred Trend and N Line trims, which gives extra confidence on gravel forest roads or during those mid-August rainstorms that Ontario drivers know well. Heated seats are standard across the lineup — appreciated on cool summer nights at the campsite.
Hyundai Tucson: Best All-Around Family SUV
For families of four or five, the 2026 Tucson is the sweet spot in Hyundai's SUV lineup. Cargo capacity comes in at 1,095 L with the rear seats up — nearly double the Kona — with all-wheel drive standard across every trim. The powertrain lineup includes a 2.5L naturally aspirated gas engine on entry trims, along with a 1.6L turbo hybrid and a plug-in hybrid option on upper trims.
The Tucson Hybrid delivers strong fuel efficiency numbers, which makes a real difference when you're covering 600-plus kilometres in a day. The plug-in hybrid variant offers a battery that can handle shorter daily city legs on electric power before switching to gas on the open highway.
- Cargo (seats up): 1,095 L
- Drive: HTRAC AWD standard
- Hybrid available: Yes (1.6L Turbo HEV and PHEV)
Hyundai Santa Fe: Best for Families Who Need a Third Row
The 2026 Santa Fe is Hyundai's mid-size three-row option, powered by a 1.6L turbocharged hybrid producing 226 horsepower. With the third row folded, cargo sits at 1,148 L — and with all three rows in use, you still have 413 L behind the third row for bags, which is more than most people expect. Fold everything down and the load floor opens to 2,267 L.
For families running out of space in a five-seat SUV, the Santa Fe is a natural step up. The third row works for kids or occasional adult passengers, and the available power-folding mechanism makes switching configurations straightforward.
Hyundai Palisade: Best for Large Families and Long-Haul Trips
At the top of the SUV lineup sits the all-new 2026 Palisade, and it's the clear choice when space, range, and hauling ability all matter. The standard 3.5L V6 engine produces 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity targeting 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) — enough for a boat, a camper trailer, or a pair of ATVs. A hybrid option is also available, with a combined system output of 329 horsepower and a targeted range of more than 800 kilometres.
Cargo space runs from 540 L behind the third row all the way to 2,455 L with all rows folded. Eight-passenger seating is standard on the Preferred Trend trim, and available captain's chairs in the second row keep access to the third row simple. The dual 12.3-inch display setup, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available Bose 14-speaker audio round out the road trip experience.
- Engine (V6): 3.5L V6, 287 hp, towing 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)
- Engine (Hybrid): 2.5L Turbo, 329 hp combined, 800+ km range targeted
- Cargo (3rd row up / all down): 540 L / 2,455 L
- Seating: Up to 8 passengers
At a Glance: 2026 Hyundai SUVs for Summer Road Trips
| Model | Cargo (Seats Up) | Key Road Trip Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | 528 L | Light packing, great fuel economy |
| Kona | 723 L | Active couples, AWD available |
| Tucson | 1,095 L | All-around family hauler, hybrid available |
| Santa Fe | 1,148 L (2nd row up) | Three rows, 413 L behind 3rd |
| Palisade | 540 L (3rd row up) / 2,455 L (all down) | Max space, towing, long-range hybrid |
Find Your Road Trip SUV at Cambridge Hyundai
The right choice depends on how many people you're carrying, how much gear you're loading, and how far you want to go. The team at Cambridge Hyundai can help narrow it down — come in and take a look at the 2026 lineup in person, or get in touch with the team right here in Cambridge to talk through which model fits your summer plans.