The Santa Fe is the heart of Hyundai’s SUV lineup and for 2021 was given refreshed styling, new powertrains, technology features and a new top trim grade to boot.
Styling changes are easily noticed with a striking new face. A new front fascia and blingy grille design frame a much bolder and substantial lighting package and new signature lighting day and night. At the rear too is a new bumper fascia with revised tailpipe finishers and of course some new LED tail lamps.
As a result of the exterior revisions and the addition of substantial under body panels to smooth airflow, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe slips through the air a bit easier with an improved drag co-efficient of .33.
Shown here is a new top-end trim grade called Calligraphy. This includes a lot of the chrome bright work you see in addition to an exclusive 20-inch wheel design.
Building on the Santa Fe Limited model, most of what the new Calligraphy trim grade offers can be found inside. The cabin while mostly carryover shows off rich quilted Nappa leather seating and soft trims.
Standard on Calligraphy is a full-color heads-up display, a new fully digital instrument cluster, upgraded door and accent trims, suede headliner, and an expanded array of ambient lighting just to name a few.
Other interior updates include a new center stack and console design tweaks. Touch screen audio screens are now larger across the board. Added as well are options for a new Harman-Kardon premium audio system along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Under the hood is a new standard 2.5-liter engine now with direct and port fuel injection and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower is now 191 horsepower and torque182 pound-feet. And yes you get the joy of an idle start stop system.
The big news is a 277 horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged engine mated to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. With an impressive 311 pound-feet ot torque this is an 18 percent upgrade from last year’s optional powerhouse. This engine is standard in upper trim grades
But that’s not all. Now available is a new hybrid variant which incorporates a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and a six-speed automatic transmission and electric motor along with standard all-wheel drive. The hybrid model offers up a total system 225 horsepower 195 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy ratings have not yet been released.
Chassis enhancements include the seemingly expected increase in high-tensile steel which Hyundai says brings a more rigid structure that’s also lighter. Brakes were also enhanced with a more powerful booster for decreased pedal effort.
Due to arrive any day now, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe for our market is manufactured in Alabama with Hybrid models coming early next year from Korea exclusively.