2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Expert Review
Reviewed by Zach Gale
Take note, midsize SUV shoppers: One of the segment's most versatile players has been seriously updated for the 2021 model year. Although some measurements and body panels are similar to the outgoing SUV, Hyundai says the 2021 Santa Fe is built on a new platform. The bold exterior styling and reworked interior further distinguish the new midsize SUV, while new engine options include a hybrid.
First introduced 20 years ago, the Santa Fe is a five-seat midsize SUV. For three-row capacity, Hyundai offers the Palisade .
What's New
- Revised exterior styling
- Redesigned cabin layout
- New, more powerful engine choices, including a hybrid
- More advanced driver assist and safety features
What We Think
There's no ignoring the 2021 Santa Fe's restyled grille—make of that what you will. However, given the solid base the updated Hyundai is building on, we expect the 2021 Santa Fe to hold its place in the top half of our midsize SUV rankings.
Ride and handling were already among the Santa Fe's strong points. With the 2021 model's new platform, it delivers impressive steering feel and grip. Ride comfort is smoother than the Kia Sorento but not as well-tuned as the Subaru Outback. Hyundai also worked to make the cabin quieter.
The updated 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers near best-in-class acceleration, as we found in our First Test. That said, the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic exhibits rough behavior away from a stop and at city driving speeds. The dual-clutch just isn't as refined as a conventional automatic would have been.
The revised cabin layout looks more modern, with the new range-topping Calligraphy trim aiming to deliver a near-luxury experience. Hyundai's latest technology is on offer, with remote-control parking, a digital gauge cluster, and numerous driver assist features available.
Regardless of trim, the 2021 Santa Fe preserves the excellent interior space and packaging we liked about the outgoing model. It's a value-oriented midsize SUV—if you can live with the styling.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Santa Fe's standard engine is now a 2.5-liter I-4 producing about 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. That engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and AWD optional. We estimate 0-60 mph times of about 8.6 seconds. Fuel economy figures from the EPA read 25/28 mpg city/highway with FWD and 22/25 mpg with AWD.
An available turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4 makes approximately 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Again FWD is standard and AWD is optional, but this engine uses an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. We tested an AWD example hitting 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, making the 2.5-liter Santa Fe one of the quickest vehicles in its class. EPA fuel economy numbers read 21-22/28 mpg.
Tell Me About the Santa Fe Hybrids
For the first time, the Santa Fe will be available with a hybrid powertrain. The regular hybrid setup includes a 1.6-liter turbo-four supplemented by a 13 kW electric motor and 1.5 kWh battery, which produce about 225 hp combined. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power through a standard AWD system. The hybrid model achieves 33-36/30-31 mpg city/highway.
A plug-in hybrid model is slated for the 2022 model year, arriving in dealerships late in the 2021 calendar year.
Safety
The 2021 Santa Fe is equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense driver-assist and active safety suite. Available features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, side and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as front and rear automatic braking.
For 2020, the Santa Fe earned a five-star (out of five) overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 model earns a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS when equipped with the Limited and Calligraphy trims' upgraded LED headlights.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The 2021 Santa Fe offers 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, or 72.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
Front-row headroom is 41.2 inches, which compares to 40.1 inches in the Honda Passport. Front-row legroom is 44.1 inches in the Santa Fe, much more than the Passport's 40.9 inches.
Second-row headroom measures 39.0 inches in the Hyundai, slightly less than the Honda's 40.1 inches. Second-row legroom is legroom is 41.7 inches in the Santa Fe (40.8 in the hybrid), a bit more than the 39.6 inches in the Passport.
Technology
As standard, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is included, while a 10.3-inch touchscreen is available. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity are standard, while the larger display gets built-in navigation. An available 12.3-inch digital gauge display can show a live video view of what's in the vehicle's blind spots.
Premium technology options include a head-up display, wireless charging pad, 360-degree view camera system, and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Hyundai's Smart Park semi-autonomous parking system is available.
Trim Levels
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SE
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Cloth seating upholstery
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Heated front seats and side mirrors
- Wireless charging pad
- Keyless entry with push-button start
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Leather seating upholstery
- Heated rear seats and steering wheel
- Ventilated front seats
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Trim-specific grille finish
- Quilted leather seating upholstery
- Head-up display
