You don’t want us to let you know that Hyundai has been on a roll lately with its new autos. In mid-2020, one of many staples of its vary, the Santa Fe, was facelifted and up to date in its fourth-generation guise.
Nevertheless, this wasn’t an extraordinary facelift because the 2021 Santa Fe can also be primarily based on Hyundai’s new third-generation automobile platform. The automaker claims enhancements for each security and dealing with with this up to date platform and primarily based on our current check of the SUV, we are able to affirm that dealing with has certainly been improved. The brand new Santa Fe has different issues going for it too.
In depth Design Modifications
Hyundai Australia sells 4 variants of the up to date Santa Fe. These are the bottom mannequin, merely known as the Santa Fe, in addition to the Energetic, Elite, and Highlander. We examined the bottom mannequin with the obtainable 2.2-liter diesel CRDi four-cylinder that Hyundai has been utilizing for quite a few years now.
Approaching the brand new Santa Fe, the very first thing that strikes you is the up to date entrance finish. Just like the Kona, the facelifted Santa Fe has break up headlights in addition to break up T-shaped LED daytime operating lights, making it immediately stand out from the earlier mannequin. Hyundai’s designers have additionally crafted a brand new grille.
Learn Extra: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Launches In Australia With Two Engine Options
Different visible alterations have much less noticeable however embody tweaked taillights with a lightweight bar and a reflector operating the width of the rear.
No New Inside In The Base Mannequin
In updating the Santa Fe, Hyundai additionally supplied it with a brand new inside, topped off by a redesigned dashboard and middle stack impressed by that of the bigger Palisade. In footage and on video it seems to be nice however we’ve but to really strive it out within the flesh. You see, reasonably than giving the bottom 2021 Santa Fe that we examined this new inside, Hyundai as an alternative determined to equip it with the identical cabin because the pre-facelift mannequin. This implies the brand new dashboard and middle stack solely comes with the Energetic, Elite, and Highlander fashions.
It is a crying disgrace as a result of this inside is beginning to really feel somewhat dated in comparison with another Hyundai fashions. For instance, it options an 8-inch infotainment system and whereas the decision of the display is sweet and it’s also fairly responsive, it doesn’t function Hyundai’s newest infotainment system. The truth is, it’s the identical software program you’ll discover in an i30 from just a few years in the past and is crying out for an replace, notably for the reason that Energetic, Elite, and Highlander fashions do run Hyundai’s newest software program suite. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the saving grace of the infotainment.
Whereas the inside does really feel somewhat outdated, it is vitally purposeful and all the key features are straightforward to know. Key options embody a wi-fi charging pad, a leather-appointed steering wheel and gearknob, a 4.2-inch coloration show within the middle of the instrument cluster, an digital parking brake, tire stress monitoring system, and a couple of USB ports within the 2nd row.
Our base mannequin got here geared up with gray material seats that had been snug and supportive. The fabric itself was somewhat scratchy, a lot in order that when driving over bumps, the fabric on the rear seats might be heard rubbing in opposition to one another.
A Clean And Refined Powertrain
In Australia, the two.2-liter CRDi diesel four-cylinder is far more fashionable than the three.5-liter petrol V6 and regardless that Hyundai has been constructing this similar fundamental engine for a few years now, it has been up to date and refined for the facelifted Santa Fe.
Pumping out 148 kW (198 hp) at 3,800 rpm and (324 lb-ft) 440 Nm of torque between 1,750 rpm and a couple of,750 rpm, the two.2-liter diesel feels greater than up for the duty at hustling the Santa Fe with spectacular tempo. This engine can also be utilized by the latest-generation Kia Sorento and can also be very quiet, freed from any of these truck-like sounds that you could be affiliate with diesels of yesteryear.
Key to the up to date 2021 Santa Fe’s diesel fashions is the inclusion of Hyundai’s new dual-clutch eight-speed transmission that replaces the outdated torque converter computerized. Whereas the brand new gearbox does have some hesitation at sluggish speeds, as is so usually the case with dual-clutch transmissions, it does make the up to date SUV really feel a contact brisker in a straight line and adjustments by the gears rapidly and with little or no fuss.
As talked about, Hyundai’s authentic press blurb for the 2021 Santa Fe claims that the brand new platform ends in extra agile dealing with. We’re completely satisfied to report that that is true. Flip-in could be very exact and the front-end actually feels lighter than the older mannequin. The steering really feel is first rate and provides you confidence in exactly putting the Santa Fe on the highway.
The entry-level 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a formidable array of security options as normal. These embody Blind-Spot collision-avoidance help, Driver Consideration Warning, Ahead Collision-Avoidance Help, Excessive Beam Help, Lane Following Help, Lane Hold Help, Rear-Cross Visitors-Collision Avoidance Help, Good Cruise Management with Cease & Go, and Rear Occupant Alert. The Energetic and Elite variants additionally add Secure Exit Help whereas the Highlander comes full with a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Encompass View Monitor, Distant Good Parking Help System, and Parking Collision-Avoidance Help on the rear.
Though the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe in its base trim does miss out on a few of the key updates of higher-end fashions, it nonetheless represents a very good worth proposition on the AU$48,200 (US$37,277) beginning value earlier than on-road prices. It’s much more inexpensive within the U.S. with a beginning value of simply $28,025.