HYUNDAI’S MID-SIZE seven-seater SUV, the Santa Fe has proven very popular with buyers, and the latest version will almost certainly increase its appeal.
The 2021 Santa Fe boasts extra luxury, with upgrades to standard technology and additional SmartSense safety features, along with significant powertrain improvements.
The Santa Fe adopts Hyundai’s new (if slightly confusing) naming convention, opening with the eponymous Santa Fe variant (the Santa Fe Santa Fe?)
The four-variant line-up continues with Active and Elite variants, to the flagship Highlander.
All-new SmartStream engines feature in the form of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four, available for each variant.
The turbo-diesel is paired with a new eight-speed twin-clutch DCT automatic to deliver an engaging and decisive driving experience along with a 19 percent improvement in fuel economy.
Refreshed styling is headlined by a wide cascading grille and stacked headlight design, tied via a crisp character line to distinctive connected taillights, with stylish wheel designs in up to 20-inches, and a classy new treatment for Highlander.
A more premium cabin experience is promised in the Highlander, with greater levels of comfort and space, and Nappa leather with brushed aluminium inlays and a suede headlining.
Along with all-new Palisade 8-seater SUV, 2021 Santa Fe leads Hyundai’s “18 models in 18 months” onslaught towards a new and comprehensive line-up, which will include seven SUVs by the end of 2021, encompassing EV (electric vehicle), FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) and Hybrid powertrains, the latter set to be adopted by Santa Fe in the second half of next year.
“Santa Fe has become a favourite for adventurous Australian families over the four-generations since its debut in 2000,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said.
“Now, with the arrival of the upgraded and enhanced 2021 Santa Fe, families are treated to an evolution of our long-running seven-seater which sets a new standard for styling, space, comfort, luxury and technology,” he said.
2021 Santa Fe: Range Overview
New 2021 Santa Fe is offered in four variants, each with a choice of two powertrains. All feature the 3.5-litre petrol V6 in 2WD and with an eight-speed auto transmission, or the 2.2litre diesel fitted with all-wheel drive and 8-speed DCT (dual clutch) transmission.
The range-opening Santa Fe (replacing the Active) variant features as standard an 8.0-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a colour instrument cluster display, and wireless (Qi standard) smartphone charging.
Also standard are a rear view camera, rear park distance warning system, tyre pressure monitoring system, and LED headlights and daytime running lights.
A range-standard suite of SmartSense technologies includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning (FCA-JT), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist (BCA) systems.
There are also Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) systems, and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go.
2021 Santa Fe Active (replacing the Active X) builds on the generous standard specification with leather appointed seats and dashboard, a front park distance warning system and dual-zone climate control.
Santa Fe Elite introduces a 10.25-inch navigation unit featuring DAB+ digital radio, premium audio by Harman Kardon, a hands-free Smart Power Tailgate, and 20-inch alloys.
The flagship 2021 Santa Fe Highlander introduces a futuristic 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, a Surround View Monitor, Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, heated steering wheel, body-coloured wheel arch cladding and exclusive 20-inch alloys.
In addition, Highlander features Head-Up Display, Blind-Spot View Monitor, panoramic glass sunroof, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist systems.
Interior
New 2021 Santa Fe grows by 15mm in length, 10mm in width and 5mm in height and offers a more spacious and comfortable interior, with a 39mm increase in leg room for second-row passengers, and a bigger cargo area.
Active variants and above feature a new bridge-type centre console that places all the key controls within easy reach.
Shift-by-Wire transmission buttons are mounted flush with the climate-control and multimedia switches, to create a minimalistic space around the cup holders, with a cavernous storage area beneath.
A clever, vertical wireless charging pouch accommodates even the largest of smartphones, and is easily changed out for a storage cubby.
Elite features leather upholstery as standard in either black or the new Cognac Brown.
Highlander steps up the tactility and ambience with supple Nappa leather throughout the cabin, in a choice of black or Camel Beige.
A perforated leather steering wheel with alloy-look controls ties in with brushed aluminium surrounds for the centre console controls, with a premium black suede headlining above.
User-configurable ambient lighting with the choice of 64 colours completes a classy cabin mood after dark.
Exterior
A low and wide cascading grille for 2021 Santa Fe flows into the Hyundai SUV signature stacked headlight design to develop a more mature look.
Santa Fe and Active variants sport a blacked-out grille treatment and Elite and Highlander feature dark chrome grille inserts.
Multi-reflector front LED lighting is now standard, with split T-shaped DRLs connecting down from the upper stack. For Highlander, the DRLs perform double duties, with the upper section acting as indicators.
At the rear, a distinctive connected taillight design is mirrored by a full-width reflector strip with integrated indicators, in a clean and attractive treatment.
A range of stylish wheels features for 2021 Santa Fe, in 17, 18 and Hyundai-first 20-inches.
A unique treatment for Highlander replaces two-tone body cladding with smooth body-coloured trims.
The flagship Highlander also features specific, machined-face 20-inch alloy wheels along with LED projector front lighting and LED taillights.
Colours and Upholstery
Santa Fe is available in eight mica and metallic paint colours, with cloth, leather or Nappa leather upholstery depending on the variant.
Powertrains
At the heart of the 2021 Santa Fe are two all-new SmartStream 3.5 V6 petrol and 2.2 turbo-diesel engines.
Both units feature alloy head and block construction, to the reduction of both weight and internal frictional losses.
Tuning for improved mid-range power delivery, compared with the previous-generation units, brings improved driveability and fuel economy for both powertrains.
The smooth and powerful SmartStream 3.5-litre petrol engine in Santa Fe develops 200kW and 33Nm, and is paired with Hyundai’s in-house developed eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
The naturally aspirated V6 consumes 10.5L/100km on the official combined cycle, down from 10.6L/100km for the previous version.
The 148kW, 440Nm SmartStream 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is teamed with Hyundai’s new SmartStream eight-speed DCT automatic and all-wheel drive.
The common-rail direct-injection four-cylinder uses 6.1L/100km on the official combined cycle, which represents a fuel economy improvement of 19 percent compared with the preceding turbo-diesel automatic pairing (7.5L/100km).
SmartStream ‘wet’ clutch eight-speed DCT
Hyundai’s newly developed eight-speed Dual Clutch Transmission brings a crisp and decisive driving experience to Santa Fe turbo-diesel, and features a series of innovations.
The oil-submerged ‘wet’ clutch packs bring improved heat tolerance and durability compared with a dry-clutch mechanism, as well as reduced noise and harshness.
The transmission’s smooth friction points, combined with intelligent shift logic, provide comfortable shifts similar to those of a conventional torque converter automatic when taking-off and at low-speed driving.
The DCT features a rev-matching function and delivers superb responsiveness as well as contributing to Santa Fe’s excellent fuel economy.
Driving technology and hardware
Santa Fe diesel Active and above feature a choice of terrain driving modes: Snow, Mud or Sand, which apply tailored settings for engine and braking control and torque vectoring.
Increased towing capacity and full-size spare
Towing capacity has been substantially upgraded to 2500kg (braked), up from the preceding version’s 2000kg.
In addition, an upgraded 200kg tow-ball down weight (up from 100kg) eliminates the previous need to upgrade the rear suspension coil springs for heavy-duty applications.
A full-size spare wheel and tyre is standard for 2021 Santa Fe.
Pricing
| Engine | Transmission | Santa Fe | Active | Elite | Highlander |
| 3.5 MPi V6 FWD | 8 speed auto | $44,700 | $48,300 | $54,300 | $61,700 |
| 2.2 CRDi AWD | 8 speed DCT | $48,200 | $51,800 | $57,800 | $65,200 |
All prices plus on road costs.
| Option Pricing | Santa Fe | Active | Elite | Highlander |
| Premium paint | $695 | $695 | $695 | $695 |
| Cognac brown interior | – | – | $295 | – |
| Camel interior | – | – | – | $295 |
| Engine | Service Interval | 12 mths | 24 mths | 36 mths | 48 mths | 60 mths |
| 3.5 MPi 2WD | km | 15k | 30k | 45k | 60k | 75k |
| Cost (incl. GST) | $399 | $399 | $399 | $399 | $399 | |
| 2.2 CRDi AWD | ||||||
| Cost (incl. GST) | $459 | $459 | $459 | $459 | $459 |
Once we have tested and assessed the new Hyundai Santa Fe, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.