Hyundai Santa Fe appeals to wider range of buyers
2021 brings alterations on the outside and significant upgrades under the hood
IF there’s one constant in the automotive world, it’s that Hyundai knows how to churn out new and redesigned vehicles. Included for 2021 is the heavily updated five-passenger midsize Santa Fe tall wagon.
The Santa Fe nameplate, first introduced in 2001, has become a major success story for Hyundai over four generations. It sits one rung below the eight-passenger Palisade in the automaker’s five-model utility lineup (six, if you include the limited-production hydrogen-electric Nexo).
Like its larger sibling, the 2021 Santa Fe comes with an aggressive mesh grille with shiny trim at the bottom. The lower opening is framed in an even bigger chunk of brightwork that wraps around to the edge of the front wheel wells. A prominent upper body crease extends from the headlights all the way to the taillights.
The Santa Fe’s platform remains mostly unchanged from the 2020 model, resulting in only minor increases in overall size and passenger and cargo volume.
The interior has also come in for a warming over, including new touch screens (8-inch and optional 10.25-inch versions) and new seat and door upholstery. Optional is a 12-inch digital gauge package.
A new “floating” center console has plenty of storage space in the lower tray and the shift lever has been replaced by buttons. Collectively, the changes project a more upscale environment.
For 2021, buyers have three powertrains choices. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder — standard in the base SE and SEL trims — makes 191 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. The previous 2.4 was good for 185/178.
Optional is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet that crushes the previously optional turbo 2.0 with its 235/260 rating. The new engine comes in the Limited trim level and the new high-end Calligraphy model.
We’re saving the biggest news for last as the 2021 Santa Fe can be had with a hybrid system: A 178-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a 59-horsepower electric motor produce a net 225 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.
A plug-in hybrid — employing the same power team — is expected later in the model year. As with others of its type, the plug-in will offer a finite amount of electric propulsion before the gasoline engine fires up to assist.
An eight-speed automatic transmission comes with the nonturbo 2.5, while the turbo models receive a quicker-shifting and more efficient eight-speed automatic.
The hybrid is linked to a six-speed automatic and it gets all-wheel drive, which is also available with both non-hybrid models. Fuel-economy stats for the Santa Fe hybrid have yet to be released, but the base 2.5-liter engine with front-wheel-drive is rated at 25 mpg in the city, 28 on the highway and 26 combined.
Prices start at $28,000 for the SE, including destination fees. This model arrives reasonably wellequipped and includes a number of dynamic-safety technologies such as forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian/cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist and driver-attention alert.
For the full-on luxury treatment, there’s the $43,500 Santa Fe Calligraphy. Among its exclusive premium goodies are upgraded leather upholstery with diamond-pattern stitching, faux suede headliner, interior ambient lighting, head-up information display, dark glossy trim and 20-inch alloy wheels (18-inch wheels are standard). That’s in addition to other up-level content that comes with the SEL and/or Limited trims, such as a panoramic sunroof, 630-watt Harmon Kardon-brand audio package and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with leg-cushion extension.
The 2021 Santa Fe would be the smart play for those who don’t require three rows of seats but would prefer more passenger and stowage space than most midsize utility vehicles provide, including Hyundai’s own Tucson. The wider range of powertrains and newfound luxury means the Santa Fe will appeal to a wider range of buyers and possibly keep some from leaving the brand for more upscale modes of transportation.