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2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

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Used Car Price Range
$16,815 - $31,949
$16,815 $31,949
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2021 SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $27,000
2021 SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $28,700
2021 SEL 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $28,800
2021 SEL 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $30,500
2021 Blue Hybrid 4dr All-wheel Drive Price:   -  From $33,650
2021 SEL Premium Hybrid 4dr All-wheel Drive Price:   -  From $37,600
2021 Limited 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $38,750
2021 Limited Hybrid 4dr All-wheel Drive Price:   -  From $39,950
2021 Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,450
2021 Caligraphy 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,750
2021 Calligraphy 4dr All-wheel Drive (DISC) Price:   -  From $42,250
2021 Calligraphy 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $42,450
Expert Rating
3.4 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

What's New

Hyundai treated its perennially-popular Santa Fe to a major refresh for 2021. The biggest update is visual: the new front end has more than a passing resemblance to Hyundai's larger Palisade SUV. The rear is also privy to some visual massaging, though the updates aren't as blatant as they are up-front.

Widening the scope of the Santa Fe is a new top-spec Calligraphy trim as well as a hybrid option, the latter representing the first hybridized Hyundai SUV. The conventionally-powered models benefit from a new 2.5-liter engine that's available with or without a turbo.

Choosing Your Hyundai Santa Fe

With all the new choices, picking out your favorite Santa Fe just got a lot harder. The new Calligraphy trim brings the total trim count up to four. The cheapest SE begins at about $27,000, while the Calligraphy with 20-inch wheels tops out at nearly $45,000.

Engine Choices

The big news is the available 1.6-liter hybrid, but a traditional 2.5-liter gas engine is also new for 2021 and will power most models. Of those, the base trims go without a turbo, while the upper trims benefit from forced induction.

Engine TypeHorsepowerTorqueFuel Economy (Combined)
2.5L 4-Cylinder191 hp277 lb-ft26 mpg
2.5L 4 Turbo 4-Cylinder182 hp311 lb-ft25 mpg
1.6L 4-Cylinder Hybrid178 hp195 lb-ft34 mpg

Each engine is limited to two trims each. The base 2.5-liter is found on the SE and SEL models, the turbocharged variant is standard on the Limited and Calligraphy, and the Hybrid is offered with the SEL and Limited. You're out of luck if you wanted a Calligraphy Hybrid or a turbo SE.

An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic backs up the pair of 2.5-liter engines. That's a bit of an unusual gearbox for a family car; typically, the dual-clutch design is reserved for sports cars that deliver hard, fast shifts. Once we review the new Santa Fe we'll be able to say for sure whether Hyundai has been able to appropriately train their dual-clutch for crossover duty.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

Unlike its corporate twin, the seven-passenger Kia Sorento, the 2021 Santa Fe is only set up to seat five. The backseat boasts 42 inches of legroom - about as much as the average front passenger-seat legroom - and headroom is an equally generous 39 inches.

Those figures are in line with the Sorento, but without the third row, the Santa Fe simply isn't as versatile as its Kia counterpart. Stay tuned on whether a three-row Santa Fe eventually hits showrooms.

The Santa Fe boasts 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 72 cubes of storage in total. The Sorento outdoes it only by a cube or two.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Safety Features

Hyundai makes an assortment of active-safety features standard on the Santa Fe, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and a driver attention warning. The forward collision avoidance system can detect pedestrians and cyclists and works when turning left as well.

Higher trims add additional safety features. The SEL gains blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert; the Limited adds remote smart parking, audible parking sensors front and back, and a surround-view camera. A novel blind-spot camera, which displays footage of the Santa Fe's blind spot in the infotainment screen, is also standard on the Limited.

Connectivity

Most trims come standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited and Calligraphy swap out that unit for a larger 10.25-inch screen with navigation, but unfortunately the upgrade comes at the cost of wireless smartphone capability - you'll have to plug in your iPhone if you want to take advantage of Apple CarPlay.

Wireless charging comes on most models, as does SiriusXM and HD radio. A 12.3-inch digital cluster is standard on the two upper trims, a noteworthy feature rarely seen in this segment.

Hyundai Santa Fe

SE - From $27,035

Besides all aforementioned features, the SE comes with keyless entry, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, and body-color trim. The interior gets cloth upholstery, dual USB ports, a 4.2-inch driver information display, and a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel. Otherwise, there's not much here in terms of amenities.

SEL - From $29,835

The SEL adds features like wireless charging, an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats and heated side mirrors, and a proximity key. Remote start and roof rails come standard as well.

The Convenience Package available on the SEL is one of the few option packages found anywhere in the Santa Fe lineup. For $1,800, it adds dual-zone climate control, a digital key, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and power-folding second-row seats.

That package is mandatory for anyone wanting to upgrade to the $3,950 Premium Package. It goes for total luxury with leather upholstery, a power passenger's seat, the larger touchscreen with navigation, Harmon-Kardon audio, and a panoramic sunroof.

Limited - From $41,485

The turbocharged Limited includes all the amenities in the SEL's two option packages. It also benefits from rain-sensing wipers, ventilated front seats, a memory seat for the driver, power-folding side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, and 19-inch wheels.

Calligraphy - From $43,285

The flagship model is the new Calligraphy, immediately recognizable by its exclusive grille, quilted Nappa leather interior, and ambient lighting. It also comes with a head-up display, premium interior trim, and an eco-friendly headliner. 19-inch wheels are standard, but 20-inch wheels will be available late in the model year.

Compare Santa Fe Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

Tempting as the quilted leather on the Calligraphy is, we would buy an SEL with the Convenience Package, as it represents the best mix of values and features. While the SEL is available with the thrifty hybrid, the base engine is good enough on gas that we probably wouldn't upgrade from there.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Bigger and better touchscreens
  • The first hybrid models
  • Improved and more efficient powertrains
  • A range-topping Calligraphy edition
Cons
  • Overly ornate exterior
  • Blasé base engine
  • Average fuel economy (except hybrids)
Expert Rating
3.4 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Comfortable cabin and expansive cargo hold. Refreshed for 2021, the Santa Fe builds on the previous model’s 108.9-inch wheelbase and measures 188.4 inches long or barely a half-inch longer than its predecessor. We think the interior was better conceived than the exterior’s busy adornment. The dashboard sits lower than before and a larger 10.3-inch screen occupies the center area.

The seats are comfortable, front and back, and four 6-footers can sit with ease. The cargo volume is up slightly this year, measuring 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row or a whopping 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. That’s well above the Nissan Murano and slightly behind the Ford Edge, the segment’s two mainstays. And if you need more room for cargo, the Santa Fe is rated to pull 3,500 pounds when equipped with a trailering package.

Calligraphy trim represents luxury. Following on the heels of the flagship Palisade SUV, the Santa Fe also has a Calligraphy edition. This range-topping model pulls out all the stops for the Santa Fe, beginning with standard all-wheel drive.

From there, the Calligraphy features 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, Nappa leather seats, soft-touch padding gracing the interior, and ambient lighting. It’s as if the Genesis team was let loose to lift the Santa Fe into luxury territory.


Hyundai Santa Fe

A safety winner in our book. We haven’t received crash test scores from the NHTSA and IIHS yet, but we expect the 2021 Santa Fe will achieve its goals. Until then, we’ll reserve further comment.

What scores big with us and is something we can confirm is that the Santa Fe comes with a long list of standard driver-assist technology. All trims come with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam LED headlights.

Move up the trim range and front and rear parking sensors come in. On the top Limited and Calligraphy trims, a surround-view camera system and blind-spot monitor display in the gauge cluster round out the features. A head-up display is exclusive to the Calligraphy trim.

First Santa Fe Hybrids. Hyundai has made great strides in recent years with its Ioniq line of electrified vehicles: conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric. It was only a matter of time before these efforts spread to subsequent models. The Santa Fe will see two hybrids, but only one’s on tap for 2021, the conventional Santa Fe Hybrid.

What’s especially noteworthy about the Santa Fe Hybrid is that it is tuned for performance and efficiency, thanks to a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine combined with two electric motors to deliver a combined 226 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission shuttles power to all four wheels.

Furthermore, the most efficient “Blue” version delivers an outstanding 36 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway for a combined 34 mpg. That’s 9 mpg better than the standard gas model. As for the plug-in hybrid, we’ll see this model roll out over the summer for the 2022 model year.

If you prefer a gas model, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque works with an 8-speed automatic transmission to send power to the front- or all four wheels. Also available is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 277 horsepower and a remarkable 311 pound-feet of torque. Here, this engine teams with a quick-shifting dual-clutch 8-speed automatic transmission.

Final thoughts. The midsize two-row SUV segment continues to expand and we’re glad Hyundai didn’t add a cramped third-row seat. Instead, move up to the Palisade if you need more space. In short, the Santa Fe covers all the bases, ranging from value to efficiency, and from performance to luxury.

Check prices for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 191 HP / 181 ft.lbs.
Transmission
8-spd SHIFTRONIC w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 28 / 26 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 191 HP / 181 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 28 / 26 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.8 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$72
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
72.1 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
111 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
188.4 "
Exterior Width
74.8 "
Exterior Height
66.3 "
Front Headroom
41.2 "
Rear Headroom
39.0 "
Front Legroom
44.1 "
Rear Legroom
41.7 "
Front Shoulder Room
59.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
58.3 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,649 Lbs.
Wheel Base
109 "
Turning Radius
18.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Gray Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Tri-coat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Front Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Yes Essentials Premium Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (fca) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keep Assist (lka) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Lane Follow Assist (lfa) Hands-on Steering Assist
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Driver Attention Warning (daw) Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
High Beam Assist (hba) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
12 Months / Unlimited Miles

Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale

27 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Hyundai
SEL 2.4
Color: Black
Mileage

32,008 mi

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LA City Cars (4 mi)

Phone: (323) 522-9200
Hyundai
SE
Color: Black
Price

$16,815

Mileage

93,513 mi

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Hertz Car Sales Inglewood (3 mi)

Phone: (888) 281-7263
Hyundai
SE
Color: Quartz White
Price

$18,988

Mileage

68,725 mi

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Toyota of Downtown LA - Delivering to Valencia (34 mi)

Phone: (424) 321-8934
Hyundai
SE
Color: Stormy Sea
Price

$19,588

Mileage

30,665 mi

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Westcoast Auto Sales (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 626-1232
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