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 Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
2.5L 4-Cylinder | 191 hp | 277 lb-ft | 26 mpg |
2.5L 4 Turbo 4-Cylinder | 182 hp | 311 lb-ft | 25 mpg |
1.6L 4-Cylinder Hybrid | 178 hp | 195 lb-ft | 34 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.