The South Korean automaker has given a heavy dose of improvements to the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The facelifted model comes with two new powertrains, contemporary styling, and an opulent Calligraphy variable, as is available for Palisade.
For the US markets, the major changes include two new mills that should remove the stigma of dull performance. There is a pair of 2.5L four-cylinder mills – one naturally aspirated and the other turbocharged). Furthermore, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe now gives buyers two electrified options – a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
The new Santa Fe has certainly improved in the power department. Replacing the old 2.4L inline-four standard engine is the new entry-level 2.5L four-cylinder generating around 191 horsepower (142 kilowatts) and 182 pound-feet (247 newton-meters). It is just an increment of 6 hp and 6Nm. The current 2.4L mill creates 185 hp and 178 lb-ft (138 kW and 241 Nm) of torque. This engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front- or all-wheel drive.
The new 2.5L “Smartstream” engine boasts both multi-port and direct fuel injection for better power production and low emissions. The company predicts the fuel economy rating of 26 miles per gallon for front-wheel drive models and 24 mpg for all-wheel drive.
The most powerful mill is a 2.5L turbocharged inline-four pumping out 277 hp and 311 lb-ft (207 kW and 422 Nm), which is a significant upgrade over the present turbo 2.0’s 235 hp and 260 lb-ft (175 kW and 352 Nm).
What’s even more interesting is the new eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, rendering less parasitic losses and enhanced shift response.
The 2021 Santa Fe will be the first electrified SUV from the automaker. The new Santa Fe Hybrid will feature a 1.6L turbocharged inline-four, a 13-kW starter-generator, and a 44-kW electric motor (getting assistance from a little 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery). The powertrain generates 225 hp (168 kW) and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque. The power goes to standard all-wheel drive through a hybrid-optimized six-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy figures are not revealed yet but we are hoping something around 35 mpg combined seeing the 2020 Sonata Hybrid figures.
While updating the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, the designers made sure it looks totally different from the other Hyundai SUVs. The prominent changes can be seen on the front with a wider front grille featuring the headlights within its texture, and a wing-shaped piece of chrome trim, with sharp daytime running lights. The changes at the rear are less dynamic with swoopy LED accents and a full-width LED light bar.
The interior upgrades are livelier; the best among them are bigger standard and optional infotainment touchscreens. An 8.0-inch display now comes as standard (old was 7.0 inches), while a 10.3-inch display is available (previously it was 8.0 inches). Other totally new features include Hyundai Digital Key, Highway Drive Assist semi-autonomous technology, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The new 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy trim is different in terms of higher-grade Nappa quilted leather, an updated front grille, superior door, and seat accent trim, an eco-suede headliner a full-color head-up display, bigger ambient lighting, and auto up/down rear windows, etc.
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe will hit the roads before the end of this year. The hybrid model will come any time next year. The pricing details are unknown yet. For reference, we can tell it will be higher than the 2020 Santa Fe’s AED 95,340.
Source and Images: Motor1