THE multi award-winning Hyundai Santa Fe seven-seat SUV has been upgraded and restyled for 2021. It now boasts extra luxury, improved standard technology and additional SmartSense safety features, along with significant powertrain improvements.
The 2021 Santa Fe also adopts Hyundai’s new naming convention, opening with the eponymous Santa Fe variant, with the Active, Elite and flagship Highlander models sitting above it.
New SmartStream engines feature in the form of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 developing 200kW and 330Nm, while a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four putting out 148kW and 440Nm, will also be available for each variant.
The turbo-diesel is paired with a new eight-speed twin-clutch DCT automatic to deliver an engaging and decisive driving experience along with a 19 per cent improvement in fuel economy.
Refreshed styling is headlined by a wide cascading grille and stacked headlight design, tied via a crisp character line to distinctive connected taillights, with stylish wheel designs in up to 20-inches, and a classy new treatment for the Highlander.
That change for the range topping model includes a more premium cabin experience, with Nappa leather, brushed aluminium inlays and a suede headlining.
Along with the new Palisade 8-seater SUV, the 2021 Santa Fe leads Hyundai’s ’18 models in 18 months’ onslaught towards a new and comprehensive line-up, which will include seven SUVs by the end of 2021.
These will encompass EV, FCEV and Hybrid powertrains, the latter set to be adopted by the new Santa Fe in the second half of next year.
The range-opening Santa Fe variant features as standard an 8.0-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a colour instrument cluster, and wireless smartphone charging.
Also standard are a rear view camera, rear park distance warning system, tyre pressure monitoring system, LED headlights and daytime running lights. A range-standard suite of SmartSenseTM technologies is also included.
These include forward collision-avoideance assist with junction turning assist, driver attention warning blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane following assist with rear cross traffic collision-avoidance assist, and smart cruise control with stop/go.
The 2021 Santa Fe Active builds on the generous standard specification with leather appointed seats and dashboard, a front park distance warning system and dual-zone climate control.
Santa Fe Elite introduces a 10.25-inch navigation unit featuring DAB+ digital radio, premium audio by Harman/Kardon, a hands-free smart power tailgate, and 20-inch alloys.
The Santa Fe Highlander introduces a futuristic 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, a surround view monitor, Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Body-coloured wheel arch cladding and exclusive 20-inch alloys join a head-up display, blind-spot view monitor, panoramic glass sunroof, parking collision-avoidance assist and remote smart parking assist systems as well.
Pricing starts from $44,700 (plus on-roads) for the V6, with the diesel variant starting from $48,200 (plus on-roads). The range topping Highlander comes in at $61,700 (plus on-roads). for further information, please contact your local Hyundai dealer.
