Pros A pair of gutsy engines, high-end interior design, surprisingly athletic chassis.
Cons Snug rear seats, a few questionable ergonomic choices, paltry towing capacity.
Pros Powerful and response V6 engine Interior materials rival those in top-tier competitors Costs thousands less than other luxury SUVs Lots of cargo room
Cons Infotainment system can be difficult to use Firm front seats Small door openings and tight rear seat Models with large wheels produce a noticeably bumpy ride
Pros Well equipped Keenly priced Lots of safety technology
Cons Larger wheels ruin the ride Some rivals are roomier in the back Noisy diesel engine
The Santa Fe receives a visual freshening for 2021 that includes bolder front-end styling and improvements to its interior. Three new powertrains are offered: A 2.5-liter four-cylinder replaces the standard 2.4-liter unit, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder replaces the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter, and a hybrid variant powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor joins the lineup. The Santa Fe gains a push-button shifter, several new optional driver-assistance features including a semi-autonomous driving mode, larger 8.0-inch and optional 10.3-inch infotainment displays, an optional 12.3-inch digital gauge display, and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Following in the larger Palisade's footsteps, the Santa Fe also gains a fancy Calligraphy trim level with quilted leather upholstery, a color head-up display, standard all-wheel drive, unique exterior accents, and more upscale interior embellishments.
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe pushes efficiency with a new hybrid model.
PROS Larger standard and available touchscreens Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models More efficient, potent powertrains Revised transmission
CONS Expected price increase Calligraphy edges into Genesis turf Unknown standard features Unknown value
Pros Comfy, spacious, clever tech
Cons Not very interesting, not as cheap as it was, lack of choice RE engines