2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
- 2021
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Review
- Abundant standard features for the money
- Generous warranty coverage
- Smooth-operating advanced driver aids
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Large rear roof pillars obstruct visibility
- Touchscreen can be a bit slow to respond
- Lower-than-expected fuel efficiency
- 2021 marks the debut of the Santa Fe Hybrid variant
- Part of the fourth Hyundai Santa Fe generation introduced for 2019
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is a small two-row SUV. The Santa Fe was one of Hyundai's first SUVs, though the lineup has expanded greatly since then. For 2021, Hyundai now offers a hybrid variant, building on the Santa Fe's strengths, such as a comfortable and handsome interior, with improved fuel economy. The Santa Fe Hybrid is loaded with features, tech and driver aids, even on base-trim models. Hyundai's excellent five-year/50,000-mile warranty and standard all-wheel drive only improve the package.
The Santa Fe Hybrid is a bit of a tweener vehicle, both in Hyundai's own lineup and among the competition. It's larger than small SUVs like the Honda CR-V Hybrid but not quite as large as three-row SUVs like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The Santa Fe Hybrid slots between the smaller Tucson and larger Palisade SUVs in Hyundai's own lineup (the latter is not currently available as a hybrid). Outside of Hyundai, rivals include the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Venza (sold only as a hybrid), and of course the Sorento Hybrid from Hyundai's sister brand, Kia. If you need more space than what a small SUV offers but don't need three rows of seating, take a look at the Santa Fe Hybrid.
Which Santa Fe Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?
Most of the time, we suggest going with a midlevel trim. With the Santa Fe Hybrid, we think the base-level Blue trim is the one to have. It includes loads of standard features, in-car tech, and driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Additionally, the Santa Fe Hybrid Blue nets the best fuel economy in the lineup.
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Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid models
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is available in three trim levels: Blue, SEL Premium and Limited. All three are powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine paired with a hybrid system making 226 combined horsepower. A six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard across the board.
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2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Blue
1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$34,295
3 for sale in 20147
SEL Premium
1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$38,297
1 for sale in 20147
Limited
1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$40,796
1 for sale in 20147
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
Trending topics in reviews
- value
- doors
- interior
- fuel efficiency
- infotainment system
- appearance
- comfort
- seats
- safety
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Amazing Value
Michael Ashurst,
SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
I tried every midsized luxury SUV (Audi, Lexus, BMW, Buick, Infiniti, Acura, Mercedes) with minimum requirements of complete alert warning and safety systems, leather interior with ventilated seats, large digital integrated screens(2), easy to use programming, 8 way adjustable front seats, reclining heated rear seats, digital plugs front and rear, large cargo area for 4 sets of golf clubs, interior upgraded appearance packages and great road handling. In the end all were over $55K. On a whim I tried this Hyundai and it checked all the boxes and often exceeded any of my expectations, particularly the warranties: the price was so far under the completion I thought I must be missing something so I did more research and read reviews, watched videos. All checked out and concluded my opinion was on the mark. I bought the Hybrid model and so far (2 months) I am thrilled with the automobile. If you are a car snob like I was, just try it and you’ll see that there is a new competitor. My last vehicle was a Lexus.
5/5 stars, Great value
Abdul,
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
Had it for a week now and very impressed with the value for money. Quiet, handles well for an suv, plenty of power for both city and highway needs, and good mpg. So far averaging 30 mpg across 300 miles of mixed driving. Went for the limited trim to get the thigh extender on the seats. Very comfortable interior - more so than the outback and Highlander and slightly below the murano. And more practical than all of them. I like all the physical buttons, but once you find your preferred setting and driving aids then it’s best just to sit back and enjoy the ride.
4/5 stars, Good fuel economy but sluggish and UI issues
Luc,
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
32+MPG in city driving, 16-24 MPG highway, 28-29 MPG combined. Above 70 MPH (even on cruise control) fuel consumption goes up very quickly, even as the car is in "economy" range. As many stretches of road have traffic running at 85MPH (regardless of posted speed limits), you may get a lot less MPG than expected if you want to keep up with the trucks :)
Drive mode defaults to ECO in each drive cycle - so far I found no way to make it remember the blended or sports modes.
Parking brake auto-applies based on a TBD algorithm (randomly?) at engine off.
Left steering wheel button decreases the radio channel number when pushed up; right steering wheel button increases MPH settings when pushed up - it would be nice if they were consistent (increase / decrease when pushed in the same direction for all buttons).
Radio has a single "unified" memory for all bands, and rearranges the order of the stations based on their frequency / channel number. There is no way to store radio stations in your own preferred order in memory or to use the MODE button to toggle between a couple memory banks as with prior Santa Fe versions (one bank for news stations, second bank for morning music, third for the afternoon drive, etc). You are stuck having to go though ALL stored stations, in the frequency / channel number order, when you want to change stations.
Acceleration (compared to my old 2011 Santa Fe Ltd AWD V6) is pathetic. 40 to 60 is slooow. It is almost OK for driving (as I get older and slower), but you cannot rely on this car to pull you out in a pinch by accelerating hard (as in merging on a short ramp in high speed traffic).
Top view of the vehicle and dead spot view cameras when using the turn signals are great and were a big factor in getting this model.
The AUTO settings for lights is useless, as it does not turn on the rear lights. I consider the daylight lights (both front and rear) to be part of the passive safety features of any car, but only the front lights are active in this car, so the selector will stay on low beams at all times (no improvement from 2011 SantaFe).
There is no trunk cover and there is no way to order one - this is a big let down as far as I am concerned. I have yet to figure it out how to use the cargo net - it has features which do not connect to anything and it came with no pictures on how it was intended to be used.
The adaptive cruise control, even on its most aggressive (shortest) setting, leaves more than enough distance to the car in front to invite people to cut in front of you - basically it cannot be used in heavier traffic as any car cutting in front of you invites the car behind you to hit your rear bumper due to your unexpected breaking.
The top trim available in Hybrid (Limited) no longer has fog lights (headlights mounted real low) - if you live in a zone with frequent fog, you need to add them aftermarket which is a hassle.
Navigation can show up both your speed and the legal speed limit, but it has no way to change color or beep when you exceed the posted speed limit by more than 3 (adjustable limit would be great) miles (standard feature on my 10 year old TomTom GPS).
While it can be set to 3D mode, it changes to 2D mode when waiting at a stop light. It can be set to avoid tolls, but to change the setting you have to go a couple of levels down through the menus, it is not a "Yes/No" question to answer as with other GPS systems. There is no setting for "shortest time" vs "shortest distance" and you have no say on how the traffic information is used by the GPS.
Many features for phone or nav are only available in PARK mode - there is no way for the person next to the driver to use them while driving, and it is not practical to exit the highway, stop and PARK to change navigation destinations (even to a stored location). For now I keep my old TomTom handy, who does not have these user interface issues / features.
Fuel tank is bigger compared to 2011 Santa Fe Ltd, so I get 450-500 miles between refills (engine not yet fully broken in).
The auto unlock is great (when key proximity is detected), but there is no auto-lock as you go away from the car with the key after parking (if it is, it takes too long to activate to be usable).
Remote start is only possible using an app on your phone. There is no way to remote start the car using the key remote. In other words, if your phone does not have good signal where you want to use the app, you are SOL.
Amount of storage for the driver is very limited - there is no ashtray (great for keeping change), and you only get a single enclosed / covered storage cavity for the driver, between the front seats.
The number of cigarette lighter sockets is down to one - you get a lot of USB type A slots, which may (or may not) work better for your toys. The slot for wireless charging is vertical and works with my iPhone, but I do not see any easy way to recover any coins you may drop into the slot by mistake.
5/5 stars, All I can say is wow!!!
James in Menifee CA,
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
I bought this vehicle in Temecula CA trading in my 18 Santa Fe turbo. I got the fully loaded 45k version black exterior with tan leather. The safety features on this are huge but can distract you at the same time. On smart cruise contol the car basically drives itself with lane assist and a radar system that keep you in check with a safe distance and will the vehicle will tell you too put your hands back on the wheel if you try to auto pilot. If i have a complaint its wheel tug when someone was coming close to me on the freeway, but you can turn off i prefer a beep to give me a warning. This vehicle is just amazing with more features than any luxury vehicle offered me and ive owned my share. It feels like a highend V6 driving its very smooth and quiet on the freeway and thats on ECO mode. This is a first gen so ensure you upgrade your electronic component of the warranty. Drove over 500 miles before filling up averaging 32 mpg city and freeway and i drive 80 percent freeway.
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $33,650
- MPG & Fuel
- 36 City / 31 Hwy / 34 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.7 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: all wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 226 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: N/A
- Basic Warranty
- 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 188.4 in. / Height: 67.3 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 74.8 in.
- Curb Weight: 4079 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 36.4 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Santa Fe Hybrid safety features:
- Forward Collision Avoidance
- Alerts the driver about an imminent collision and can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
- Safe Exit Assist
- Temporarily prevents you from opening your door if sensors detect a car approaching from the rear.
- Surround View Monitor
- Shows a top-down view of your SUV when you park, making it easier to avoid curbs and line up in the parking space.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. the competition
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
2021 Ford Escape Hybrid
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Ford Escape
The Ford Escape Hybrid is one of Edmunds' favorite hybrid SUVs. It's not as large as the Santa Fe Hybrid, but it's spacious and comfortable inside. Ford offers the Escape Hybrid with a lot of in-car tech and driver aids. It's less expensive, but it doesn't look or feel quite as nice inside as the Hyundai. The Ford also lacks the Santa Fe Hybrid's standard all-wheel drive.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid
The Honda CR-V has long been one of the best SUVs on the road, and the hybrid is no different. It doesn't offer as much cargo or passenger space as the Santa Fe Hybrid, but it's still comfortable and offers tons of clever storage. Standard all-wheel drive and a comfortable ride add to the appeal, but some of the tech feels behind the times compared to the Hyundai. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Honda CR-V Hybrid.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Venza
Another “tweener” SUV, this one from Toyota, the Venza is larger than the RAV4 and smaller than the three-row Highlander. Like the Sante Fe Hybrid, the Venza includes a hybrid drivetrain and all-wheel drive as standard equipment. The Venza outguns the Santa Fe in fuel efficiency, but it lacks the Hyundai’s engaging driving dynamics and provides less interior space.
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FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Santa Fe Hybrid both on the road and at the track. You probably care about Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Santa Fe Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 32 mpg to 34 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Santa Fe Hybrid has 36.4 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:
- 2021 marks the debut of the Santa Fe Hybrid variant
- Part of the fourth Hyundai Santa Fe generation introduced for 2019
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid reliable?
To determine whether the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Santa Fe Hybrid. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Santa Fe Hybrid's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Santa Fe Hybrid is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?
The least-expensive 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Blue 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,650.
Other versions include:
- SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $37,600
- Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $39,950
- Blue 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) which starts at $33,650
What are the different models of Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?
If you're interested in the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, the next question is, which Santa Fe Hybrid model is right for you? Santa Fe Hybrid variants include SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A), Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A), and Blue 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A). For a full list of Santa Fe Hybrid models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more