2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
Other years
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Review
- Abundant standard features for the money
- Generous warranty coverage
- Smooth operation of advanced driver aids
- Quick acceleration from available turbocharged 2.5-liter engine
- Overly soft suspension tuning dilutes driver enjoyment
- 10.25-inch touchscreen can be a bit slow to respond
- Significant exterior and interior update
- Completely revised powertrain lineup, including a newly available hybrid
- New range-topping Calligraphy trim
- Part of the fourth Hyundai Santa Fe generation introduced for 2019
Have you shopped both small and midsize SUVs and not yet found what you're looking for? The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe could be the solution. It lands squarely between both SUV types on price, size and feature availability. This gives the Santa Fe strong middle ground appeal, and the significantly updated 2021 model is even more enticing than its predecessor.
On tap for this year is revised exterior styling, a larger touchscreen, a new push-button gear selector and a new top-level Calligraphy trim level. The Santa Fe's engines are new, too. Notably, the Santa Fe now offers a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a strong 277 horsepower as well as a new hybrid powertrain that gets an EPA-estimated 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
These are very significant changes but this is a competitive class, and the Santa Fe has a wealth of established competition on its hands. The Honda CR-V, long a perennial favorite, has been upgraded with a hybrid version, and the midsize Toyota Venza also boasts stylish looks and high mpg. What should you get? Read our Expert Rating of the 2021 Santa Fe below to help you decide.
Our verdict | |
The Santa Fe delivers impressive acceleration and fuel efficiency as well as luxurious accommodations at a price that undercuts most of the competition. A spacious cabin and a smooth ride quality are also highlights. | |
How does the Santa Fe drive? | |
We tested the Santa Fe with the 277-horsepower turbocharged engine. It's pretty potent and our test vehicle covered 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, which is quicker than most other small and midsize SUVs. However, if you aren't asking for maximum speed, its power delivery is a bit inconsistent and unrefined. Hyundai seems to have tuned the eight-speed automatic transmission to get up to its highest gears as quickly as possible, which can also be off-putting. Around turns, the Santa Fe leans a lot as you go around turns, so it's definitely not as planted as a Mazda CX-5. This is an SUV for highway cruising, not sporty driving. But the Santa Fe's steering is pleasantly tuned, making for easy low-speed maneuverability and decent highway stability. | |
How comfortable is the Santa Fe? | |
The Santa Fe's suspension soaks up most bumps and road impacts, but the ride can sometimes feel a little too soft and wallowy. But the front seats are very comfortable and have a broad range of adjustments and available heating and ventilation. The rear seats are also comfortable and have lots of recline adjustment, though we'd prefer thicker padding on the door armrests. The Santa Fe has excellent cabin insulation thanks to dual-pane front windows and comprehensive sound deadening. Wind, road and ambient noise is very much kept at bay. The climate controls are easy to adjust and do a great job of keeping cabin temperatures pleasant. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Santa Fe's interior quarters are relatively spacious, especially in legroom. The available panoramic sunroof does eat into headroom in both rows, but the rear seat's generous recline serves to off-set that. All controls are laid out well and within easy reach, and the most often-used controls are real buttons and knobs. The large door openings make it easy to get in and out, and both front and rear rows offer plenty of space and legroom. Visibility is good too, with a decent-size rear window and very little obstruction from the rear headrests. The door-mounted sideview mirrors help you avoid blind spots, and the optional surround-view camera system makes parking a breeze. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Our test vehicle had the optional 10.25-inch screen. Unfortunately, we found it slow to respond to our inputs at times, and its graphics aren't particularly eye-catching. The Santa Fe's premium audio system produces accurate sound and plenty of volume, but it isn't as fully immersive as we'd like it to be. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included, though CarPlay only uses about two-thirds of the 10.25-inch screen. The wireless charger is a spring-loaded slot that saves space but could also easily swallow loose coins and other small objects that might be hard to fish out. There are plenty of power ports and USB ports. Hyundai's advanced driver aids are some of the best around. The adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist work smoothly and ease the stress of rush-hour traffic. The blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation also work pretty well, but some drivers might find them to be a little too sensitive. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The Santa Fe's cargo space is decently roomy (36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats) and has some helpful underfloor bins. Remote seat releases allow you to drop down the second-row seats from the rear of the vehicle and at the rear passenger doors. This is a very smart use of space and allows for storage of the cargo cover as well. There's a pleasing amount of space for personal items in the cabin. Hyundai's electronic gear selector frees up a sizable space underneath the center console. The cupholders have good anti-tip design and there's usable space in the armrest bin as well as around and in the glovebox. The maximum towing capacity for the Santa Fe is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. That's better than many small SUVs but not as much as bigger SUVs such as the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport can pull. Got small children? There's plenty of room for child safety seats, and the anchor points are reasonably accessible. | |
How economical is the Santa Fe? | |
The EPA says the Santa Fe with the upgraded turbo engine gets 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway). We achieved 27.3 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation test route, which is a strong indication that the Santa Fe can meet the EPA estimates. This is impressive given the power output of the Santa Fe's engine — it outperforms some competitors with V6 engines. | |
Is the Santa Fe a good value? | |
On a price-per-feature basis, the Santa Fe remains an excellent choice. The quality of materials and design are standouts even if a few small areas, particularly thinly padded door armrests, aren't perfect. But even the top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim level undercuts similarly equipped competitors yet offers a powertrain that is both quicker and more efficient. Hyundai's five-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties are industry-leading, and the automaker has added three years of free scheduled maintenance. Value continues to be a strong appeal of all Hyundai vehicles. | |
Wildcard | |
The Santa Fe does well at its intended purpose: comfortably hauling people and giving you lots of value. But it isn't particularly fun to drive, even with the upgraded turbo engine, and the latest styling update makes it seem like Hyundai is trying a little too hard to make its vehicles stand out. | |
Which Santa Fe does Edmunds recommend?
We think the SEL is a good place to start. For not much money over the base SE, you get heated seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, wireless charging, and keyless entry with push-button start. It also includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The SEL can also be bolstered by some fairly comprehensive option packages not available on the SE.
Hyundai Santa Fe models
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a five-passenger SUV available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited and Calligraphy. On the SE, SEL and Limited trim, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The Calligraphy comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Save as much as $2,444 with Edmunds
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe pricing
in Ashburn, VA
SE
2.5L 4cyl 8A
Edmunds Suggested Price$26,762
21 for sale in 20147
SEL
2.5L 4cyl 8A
Edmunds Suggested Price$30,489
84 for sale in 20147
Limited
2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM
Edmunds Suggested Price$38,096
33 for sale in 20147
Also consider these sponsored cars
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Trending topics in reviews
- technology
- ride quality
- safety
- appearance
- spaciousness
- comfort
- warranty
- handling & steering
- interior
- driving experience
- road noise
- seats
- sound system
- steering wheel
- maintenance & parts
- lights
- engine
- transmission
- visibility
- doors
- dashboard
- towing
- fuel efficiency
- emission system
- value
- wheels & tires
- infotainment system
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, 2021 Santa Fe Calligraphy
E. S. ,
Calligraphy 4dr SUV AWD w/19-in Wheels (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
I spent 4 weeks researching and finally made the decision to purchase a 2021 Santa Fe Calligraphy. I've had it for about 3 weeks now. Although not a certified luxury SUV it certainly rivals the smooth ride and bells and whistles that luxury SUV's offer at about $10k - $15k less. I cannot rave enough about the vehicle. I previously had an Audi and Infiniti. The Santa Fe Calligraphy is super sleek inside and out. I feel so safe driving it because of all the safety and technological features. It's even semi-autonomous on the highway. Great warranty and 3 years of complimentary maintenance. Test drive one today if you haven't. You won't be disappointed.
Wish list: I wish it had the 20 inch rims but they were on backorder. I wish the ambient lighting was also on the door panels and not just on the console and glove area. I wish it had a rotary control knob for the infotainment screen.
5/5 stars, 3 weeks in with 2021 Santa fe limited.
Jim ,
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)
Right off the bat after purchasing, I drove it over 320 miles twice in a week. Put it on some rough sounding pavement. It has so far browned me away. 2.5 turbo, has plenty of power. Has auto drive. And me being old school, have to admit its something else. All kinds of safety features which will blow you away until you get used to it. When you turn directionals on , you get a video of real time to see the sides of vehicle before you actually turn. This particular model comes with a loaded package, that would cost you 20 to 30,000 more in any other vehicle. Traded in a 2018 buick enclave which had the ultimate ride and noise reduction. And lots of room. But was just to much for my wife to drive. So after researching the Santa fe, we purchase it. Not to cut short 5 yr to 10 yr warranty. This vehicle also is very quiet compare to the enclave. Hats off to Hyundai for coming up with such a great vehicle.
5/5 stars, Rides like a luxury vehicle
H W Tillman,
SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe rides and handles like a luxury vehicle. It is so quiet inside and the new electronics rival anything I've seen in much more expensive vehicles.
4/5 stars, Great Daily Driver
Josh ,
SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)
I'm impressed with the amount of technology that they put in this ride. Lots of good stuff. I'm getting used to the 8 speed transmission. It really does get around when you need to. Plenty of power for a daily driver, cool enough looking for those who like some style, and plenty of room inside. Seats are comfortable, and the leather steering wheel is very nice to the touch.
Lane keep assist and smart cruise control are ready to go and very easy to use. It's a pretty smooth ride. The infotainment system is pretty solid. Different drive modes are fun, and again it's a great ride. Easy to go too fast and not notice. The lights are one of my favorite features on the exterior. The T shaped drls are very cool and eye catching. I could go on and on about my new ride. I am obsessed!
Safety
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. the competition
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
2021 Honda CR-V
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V has enjoyed a long life at, or near the top, of our small SUV rankings for good reasons. It's fuel-efficient, space efficient and enjoyable to drive. The Hyundai Santa Fe is new for 2021 and hopes to knock the CR-V off the top step with a wider variety of engines, more interior space and much better warranty coverage. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Honda CR-V.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Mazda CX-5
Mazda's CX-5 brings a wealth of style and sophistication to the small SUV class as well as Mazda's legendary focus on sporty handling. The new Santa Fe counters with more interior room, a significantly larger cargo area and an available hybrid powertrain. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda CX-5.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Nissan Rogue
The redesigned Nissan Rogue is a big step forward from the old model, and we like its comfortable ride, advanced driver aids and the value it provides for the money. But the Rogue only offers one engine, while the Santa Fe offers three, all of which are more powerful. The Rogue also trails the Santa Fe in rear legroom, cargo capacity and warranty coverage.
People who viewed this also viewed
FAQ
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Santa Fe both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. You probably care about Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Santa Fe gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg to 26 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 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. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe:
- Significant exterior and interior update
- Completely revised powertrain lineup, including a newly available hybrid
- New range-topping Calligraphy trim
- Part of the fourth Hyundai Santa Fe generation introduced for 2019
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
To determine whether the Hyundai Santa Fe is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Santa Fe. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Santa Fe's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Santa Fe and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Santa Fe is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The least-expensive 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $27,000.
Other versions include:
- SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $27,000
- SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $28,800
- Limited 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $38,750
- SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $28,700
- Calligraphy 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $42,250
- SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $30,500
- Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $40,450
- Calligraphy 4dr SUV AWD w/19-in Wheels (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $42,450
- Calligraphy 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $40,750
What are the different models of Hyundai Santa Fe?
If you're interested in the Hyundai Santa Fe, the next question is, which Santa Fe model is right for you? Santa Fe variants include SE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A), SEL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A), Limited 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM), and SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A). For a full list of Santa Fe models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more