Hyundai 2.5 Turbo Engine: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The 2.5 turbo is Hyundai and Kia's Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi, a 2,497 cc turbocharged four with direct and port injection. It makes 274–290 hp and 311 lb-ft in 2027 models and anchors the Palisade and Telluride hybrids. Its recalls so far cover leaking fuel-pipe connections on 2021–2022 cars and a few turbo oil-pipe cracks.

The 2.5L turbo arrived in 2021 in the Sonata N Line, Santa Fe, Sorento and K5 GT; the EPA adds the 2022–2027 Santa Cruz, the 2022–2023 Stinger and the 2027 Telluride. Hyundai's 2027 Santa Fe spec sheet lists it as the Smartstream 2.5L Turbo GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve with an 88.5 × 101.5 mm bore and stroke and 10.5:1 compression. Ratings in 2027 models run from 274 hp in the Kia Telluride and Sorento to 290 hp in the Sonata N Line and K5 GT, all with 311 lb-ft.

A higher-compression (12.0:1) version is the gas engine in the 2026-on Palisade Hybrid and 2027 Telluride Hybrid, rated at 329 hp and 339 lb-ft combined. Hyundai and Kia recalled about 37,000 early cars in 2021 because fuel could leak at the high-pressure pump-to-rail connection, and 42 2022 vehicles for turbo oil supply pipes that could crack.

Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi (2.5 turbo) at a glance

Hyundai/Kia Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi 2,497 cc turbocharged inline-four, gas and hybrid (US 2021–present): model years, fuel and peak Hyundai/Kia-published output by version
EngineModel yearsFuelPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
2.5T gas engine (2021–present)2021–presentGasoline (direct + port injection, turbocharged)29031126
2.5T hybrid (2026–present)2026–presentGasoline-electric hybrid32933900

CarWhere lists 2 documented problems and 6 NHTSA recalls for the Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi (2.5 turbo), each with a source.

2.5T gas engine (2021–present)

The non-hybrid 2.5 turbo in Hyundai's Sonata N Line, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz and Kia's K5 GT, Sorento, Stinger and 2027 Telluride, rated at 274–290 hp and 311 lb-ft in 2027 models.

2.5T gas engine (2021–present) specifications

2.5T gas engine (2021–present): design facts (2021–present)
SpecificationValue
Family nameSmartstream 2.5L Turbo GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve inline-four[4]
Displacement2,497 cc[4]
Bore × stroke88.5 × 101.5 mm[4]
Compression ratio10.5:1[4]
Fuel injectionGasoline direct injection and multi-port injection[8]
Block and headAluminum[6]
Transmission, Santa Fe and Telluride8-speed automatic[4]
Transmission, K5 GT8-speed wet dual-clutch[2]
EPA listing (turbo, SIDI & PFI)Sonata 2021–2027, Santa Fe 2021–2027, K5 2021–2027, Sorento 2021–2027, Santa Cruz 2022–2027, Stinger 2022–2023, Telluride 2027[7]

2.5T gas engine (2021–present) horsepower and torque by year

2.5T gas engine (2021–present): Hyundai/Kia-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2027Hyundai Sonata N Line290 hp @ 5,800 rpm; 311 lb-ft @ 1,650–4,000 rpm290311[1]
2027Kia K5 GT290311[2]
2027Hyundai Santa Cruz311 lb-ft @ 1,700–4,000 rpm281311[3]
2027Hyundai Santa Fe277 hp @ 5,800 rpm; 311 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm277311[4]
2027Kia Sorento274311[5]
2027Kia Telluride274 hp @ 5,800 rpm; 311 lb-ft @ 1,700–4,000 rpm274311[6]
2022–2023Kia Stinger 2.5TNot stated in the EPA record; CarWhere could not verify a Hyundai/Kia US rating for this application——[7]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the 2.5T gas engine (2021–present)?

Models and model years offered with the 2.5T gas engine (2021–present)
ModelModel yearsNotes
Hyundai Sonata N Line2021–present
Hyundai Santa Fe2021–present
Hyundai Santa Cruz2022–present
Kia K5 GT2021–present
Kia Sorento2021–present
Kia Stinger2022–2023
Kia Telluride2027–presentEPA lists the 3.8L V6 for 2020–2025 and the 2.5T for 2027

2.5T gas engine (2021–present) problems and what to check

Fuel leak at the high-pressure pump-to-fuel-rail connection (2021–2022)

Major repair

In July 2021 Hyundai recalled 15,752 2021–2022 Santa Fe and Sonata 2.5L turbos (21V524) and Kia recalled 21,575 2021 Sorento and 2021–2022 K5 2.5L turbos (21V519) because fuel may leak at the connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail. Dealers inspect and tighten or replace the fuel pipe. Two earlier 2021 Santa Fes were caught under 21V308 before delivery.[9][10][11]

Symptoms

  • Fuel smell
  • Visible fuel near the top of the engine

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN for 21V524 (Hyundai) or 21V519 (Kia)

Program: Safety recalls 21V524, 21V519 and 21V308

Cracked turbocharger oil supply pipe (2022) (2022)

Moderate

Hyundai (22V197: 16 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz) and Kia (22V202: 26 2022 Sorento) recalled vehicles whose turbocharger oil supply pipe may crack and leak oil in the engine compartment. Dealers replace the pipe. The filings do not name the engine; the 2022 Santa Cruz's only turbo engine was the 2.5T.[12][13]

Symptoms

  • Burning-oil smell
  • Oil on the turbocharger or exhaust

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN for 22V197 or 22V202

Program: Safety recalls 22V197 and 22V202

2.5T gas engine (2021–present) recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the 2.5T gas engine (2021–present) (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaignReportedVehiclesSummary
21V5242021-07-092021–2022 Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata (2.5L turbo)15,752 vehiclesFuel may leak at the high-pressure pump-to-fuel-rail connection. Dealers inspect and tighten or replace the fuel pipe.
21V5192021-07-082021 Kia Sorento, 2021–2022 K5 (2.5L turbo)21,575 vehiclesFuel may leak at the high-pressure pump-to-fuel-rail connection. Dealers inspect and tighten or replace the fuel pipe.
21V3082021-05-032021 Hyundai Santa Fe (2.5L turbo)2 vehiclesFuel pipe from the high-pressure pump to the rail may not have been tightened. Both vehicles were repaired before owner notification.
21V2082021-03-242021 Genesis G80 and GV80 (2.5L turbo)147 vehiclesThe high-pressure fuel tube from pump to rail may leak. Genesis-brand recall for the same 2.5-liter turbo displacement, listed for reference.
22V1972022-03-282022 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Cruz16 vehiclesThe turbocharger oil supply pipe may crack and leak. Dealers replace the pipe.
22V2022022-03-292022 Kia Sorento26 vehiclesThe turbocharger oil supply pipe may crack and leak. Dealers replace the pipe.

2.5T hybrid (2026–present)

A 12.0:1-compression 2.5 turbo paired with two electric motors in a 6-speed automatic, used in the 2026-on Palisade Hybrid and 2027 Telluride Hybrid at 329 hp and 339 lb-ft combined.

2.5T hybrid (2026–present) specifications

2.5T hybrid (2026–present): design facts (2026–present)
SpecificationValue
Engine2.5L Turbo-GDI DOHC 16-valve inline-four, 2,497 cc[14]
Bore × stroke88.5 × 101.5 mm[14]
Compression ratio12.0:1[14]
Fuel systemGasoline direct injection[15]
Transmission6-speed automatic with P1 and P2 electric motors (TMED-II)[14]
Electric motors (Palisade)P1: 17 hp, 75 lb-ft; P2: 72 hp, 195 lb-ft[14]
EPA listingPalisade 2.5 L turbo hybrid 2026–2027; Telluride 2.5 L turbo hybrid 2027[7]

2.5T hybrid (2026–present) horsepower and torque by year

2.5T hybrid (2026–present): Hyundai/Kia-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2027Hyundai Palisade Hybrid (engine only)258 hp @ 5,800 rpm; 260 lb-ft @ 1,800–4,500 rpm258260[14]
2027Hyundai Palisade Hybrid (system)329339[14]
2027Kia Telluride Hybrid (system)329339[15]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the 2.5T hybrid (2026–present)?

Models and model years offered with the 2.5T hybrid (2026–present)
ModelModel yearsNotes
Hyundai Palisade Hybrid2026–present
Kia Telluride Hybrid2027–present

Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi (2.5 turbo) issues by model

The same engine shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Related Hyundai and Kia research

Confirm a car really has the Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi (2.5 turbo).

The engine a Hyundai or Kia left the factory with is part of its build record. The CarWhere Hyundai build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Hyundai build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the common Hyundai 2.5 turbo engine problems?

The recalls so far are about leaks, not internal failures: 2021 recalls 21V524 and 21V519 covered fuel leaks at the high-pressure pump-to-rail joint on about 37,300 2021–2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Sorento and K5 models, and 2022 recalls 22V197 and 22V202 replaced cracked turbo oil supply pipes on 42 vehicles.

How much horsepower does the Hyundai 2.5 turbo make?

In 2027 models: 290 hp in the Sonata N Line and Kia K5 GT, 281 hp in the Santa Cruz, 277 hp in the Santa Fe, and 274 hp in the Kia Sorento and Telluride. Torque is 311 lb-ft in all of them.

Which Hyundai and Kia models have the 2.5 turbo?

The Sonata N Line, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz at Hyundai, and the K5 GT, Sorento, 2022–2023 Stinger and 2027 Telluride at Kia. A hybrid version powers the 2026-on Palisade Hybrid and 2027 Telluride Hybrid.

Does the Palisade use the 2.5 turbo?

The 2026-on Palisade Hybrid does, rated at 329 hp and 339 lb-ft combined. The non-hybrid 2027 Palisade uses a 3.5L V6 rated at 287 hp and 260 lb-ft.

Is the 2.5 turbo direct-injected?

The gas version uses both direct and port injection; Hyundai lists GDI and MPI as standard on the 2027 Santa Fe. The hybrid version in the Palisade and Telluride Hybrid is listed with gasoline direct injection.

Sources

Ratings are Hyundai/Kia-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. 2027 Hyundai Sonata — compare specs — Hyundai Motor America (hyundaiusa.com)
  2. 2027 Kia K5 — specifications — Kia America (kia.com)
  3. 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz — compare specs — Hyundai Motor America (hyundaiusa.com)
  4. 2027 Santa Fe Specs & Features (July 15, 2026) — Hyundai Motor America (hyundainews.com)
  5. 2027 Kia Sorento — specifications — Kia America (kia.com)
  6. 2027 Kia Telluride — specifications — Kia America (kia.com)
  7. EPA fuel economy data: vehicles.csv (Hyundai and Kia listings by model year, displacement, cylinders, turbo and fuel-injection codes) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  8. 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe — compare specs — Hyundai Motor America (hyundaiusa.com)
  9. NHTSA recall 21V524: Fuel leak at pipe connection (2021–2022 Santa Fe, Sonata 2.5L turbo) — NHTSA (Hyundai Motor America filing)
  10. NHTSA recall 21V519: Fuel leak at pipe connection (2021 Sorento, 2021–2022 K5 2.5L turbo) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  11. NHTSA recall 21V308: Fuel pipe not tightened properly (2021 Santa Fe 2.5L turbo) — NHTSA (Hyundai Motor America filing)
  12. NHTSA recall 22V197: Turbocharger oil supply pipe may leak (2022 Santa Fe, Santa Cruz) — NHTSA (Hyundai Motor America filing)
  13. NHTSA recall 22V202: Turbocharger oil supply pipe may leak (2022 Sorento) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  14. 2027 Palisade Specs & Features (July 15, 2026) — Hyundai Motor America (hyundainews.com)
  15. 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid — specifications — Kia America (kia.com)

More Hyundai tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Company or Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai and the model names are trademarks of their owners.