Used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

Winner: 2021 Best Buy Award
#1 in Best 2-Row Midsize SUVs for 2021

Hyundai calls the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe a refresh, but there is so much more to it than that. While it’s easy to tell the difference between the 2021 and the 2020 models by looking at the new grille, Hyundai has also redesigned the interior with more premium amenities and introduces a new upscale Calligraphy model. The Santa Fe rides on a new platform. In addition, there are two new gasoline engines – a standard version and a high-output turbocharged version – that are more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the engines they replace. Also, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options will be available.

The 2-row, 5-passenger Hyundai Santa Fe comes loaded with features and is backed by a terrific warranty. The updates for 2021 add to the winning attributes of this SUV, such as value for the money, innovative tech in a high-quality interior, and strong emphasis on safety. Somewhat larger than a compact SUV, the updated Santa Fe has become even more competitive with vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Toyota Venza, and Nissan Murano.

KBB spent some time in a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy.

Our immediate impression upon entering this new top-level Santa Fe? It indeed is a luxurious machine, a sensation underscored by the quilted leather on the seats, a color head’s-up display, a large digital instrument panel, and a massive horizontal touchscreen capping a center stack that houses the pushbutton controls for the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, with 277 horsepower, provides plenty of power for easy merging onto the freeway, even with four full-size adults aboard. While we like this engine and appreciate its abundant low-end torque, it can be a bit grumbly during mild acceleration. Similarly, the shift timing of the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic is good, but occasionally the last downshift that occurs as the Santa Fe rolls to a stop can be a little clunky.

At any rate, in daily operation, the new 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe shines. The Santa Fe seats are comfortable for long days in the saddle, and the back bench — already a strong point in the previous, slightly smaller Santa Fe — has grown even more spacious. What’s more, the view out of this significantly improved new midsize Hyundai SUV is good, and both the steering and brakes operate with a pleasantly natural feel.

The all-wheel-drive system, standard in the Calligraphy, features three driver-selectable modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart. In Sport, more torque is sent to the rear wheels for a sportier driving feel. This is complemented by excellent suspension damping that gives the Santa Fe well-controlled body motions and a comfortable ride, even with the Calligraphy’s low-profile 235/45R-20 tires.

RELATED: Best 2-Row Midsize SUVs for 2021

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe does not shy away from tech, with features like an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch-wide navigation screen. Switching to a push-button transmission shifter creates more storage space. Soft-touch material and ambient lighting are nice details. New materials, colors, and the addition of available Nappa leather make the SUV’s interior more luxurious. Hyundai added more convenience features, such as power-folding rear seats and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio.

The clearest example of the 2021 Santa Fe’s new look is right up front. A wide front grille, tapered at both ends, is flanked by T-shaped LED lights. The rear taillight profile has also been updated, and the overall effect is crisp and modern. SE models come with 18-inch wheels, and 19- and 20-inch wheels are offered on upper trim levels. Roof rails are available, as are power-folding side mirrors with turn-signal indicators.

HYBRID POWERTRAIN
The SUV’s hybrid system uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, a 42.4-kW electric motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission. It will be available in all but the base model and the Calligraphy. This hybrid system works with Hyundai’s fully mechanical HTRAC all-wheel drive. This means the Santa Fe Hybrid will still be able to distribute torque to the front and rear while providing side-to-side torque vectoring for improved cornering.

CALLIGRAPHY MODEL
Powered by the 277-horsepower turbocharged version of Hyundai’s 4-cylinder gas engine, the Calligraphy will be the new top-of-the-line model. It will come standard with HTRAC all-wheel drive and 20-inch alloy wheels, plus unique styling cues. Interior amenities such as Nappa leather, quilted inserts on the doors, an eco-suede microfiber headliner, and a full-color heads-up display further differentiate the Calligraphy from the rest of the lineup.

The base model of the Santa Fe, the SE, will come well equipped. Powered by a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder backed by an 8-speed automatic, the front-wheel-drive SE will ride on 18-inch wheels. A wide range of advanced driver assists, such as forward-collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, adaptive cruise control, and driver attention alert. The forward-collision system also detects cyclists and junction-turning detection, where the system can detect an oncoming car while you’re turning left at an intersection.

The interior has YES Essentials stain-resistant cloth seats, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, and power windows and cargo door. The infotainment system is based around an 8-inch screen and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

As you move up the Santa Fe’s trim level lineup, there are more powertrain choices. You can opt for the turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter engine, rated for approximately 277 horsepower and backed by a new wet 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The SEL and Limited are available with the hybrid system. All-wheel drive will be optional on the SE, SEL, and Limited, but comes standard on the Calligraphy and the Hybrid. Nineteen- and 20-inch wheels are available.

There are more safety features, such as blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, safe exit assist, parking distance warning in the front and rear, surround-view monitor, and a blind-spot monitor. Remote smart parking assist comes on Limited and Calligraphy models.

Power and leather seats – including available quilted Nappa leather — heated rear seats, a 10.25-inch navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, an eco-suede headliner, and a full-color heads-up display round out the extensive options list for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe will be available with two gasoline-engine choices to start at the end of 2020, with a hybrid option to follow in early 2021. A plug-in hybrid will arrive later in 2021. Hyundai replaced last year’s engines with the choice of a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, or a turbocharged version that puts out 277 horsepower. Both power and fuel economy improve significantly for 2021 in the gasoline engines. The hybrid, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, features a 1.6-liter gas engine with 195 horsepower and 59-horsepower electric motor.

The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter in the Santa Fe teams with a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo 2.5 works with a wet dual-clutch 8-speed automatic. The 1.6-liter in the Santa Fe Hybrid employs a 6-speed automatic.

2.5-liter inline-4 (SE, SEL)
191 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
182 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 mpg (FWD), 22/25 mpg (AWD)

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Limited, Calligraphy)
277 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
311 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 mpg (FWD), 21/28 mpg (AWD)

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 + electric motor (Hybrid)
178 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (gas engine)
59 horsepower @ 1,600-2000 rpm (electric motor)
195 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm (gas engine)
195 lb-ft @ 0-1,600 rpm (electric motor)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 33/30 mpg, 36/31 mpg (Blue)