2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Initial specs

A top-line dealer bulletin leaked on social media has revealed the full specification list for the updated Hyundai Santa Fe.

Although it looks like a major facelift, which itself only arrived in Australia during 2018, the 2021 model is actually built on a new chassis shared with the latest Kia Sorento.

The interior has been given a comprehensive makeover, while the exterior has been massaged.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Initial specs — **Note: Overseas models pictured**

Set to touch down before the end of 2020, the new Santa Fe is expected to be offered with carryover engines when it launches.

That means the base engine will most likely be a 3.5-litre petrol V6 with 206kW of power and 336Nm of torque, sending power to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

A 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with 149kW and 440Nm, all-wheel drive, and a new wet-clutch eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is also likely to feature.

Hyundai has confirmed the Santa Fe Hybrid is also bound for Australia in mid-2021, although the plug-in hybrid hasn’t been confirmed.

Pricing

Hyundai Australia hasn’t locked in pricing for the 2021 Santa Fe, however CarExpert understands price rises of up to $2000 are likely across the range.

The revised range will be partially renamed, with the base model badged Santa Fe, moving through the Santa Fe Active and Santa Fe Elite to the range-topping Santa Fe Highlander.

Pricing for the 2020 Santa Fe range is below:

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Active V6: $43,000
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Active diesel: $46,000
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Active X V6: $47,020
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Active X diesel: $50,050
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Elite V6: $51,000
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Elite diesel: $54,000
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander V6: $57,500
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander diesel: $60,500

All prices are before on-road costs.

Engines

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe range is expected to launch with a choice of two powertrains.

All front-wheel drive Santa Fe models will likely use the same naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine featured in the current car, producing 206kW and 336Nm mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive models will use the same revised 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel used in the Kia Sorento, where it outputs 148kW and 440Nm.

Gone is the eight-speed torque converter, replaced with a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.

The Santa Fe Hybrid will touch down in the middle of 2021. It pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 44kW electric motor that draws power from a 1.5kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, and a six-speed automatic transmission.

It’s available with both front- and all-wheel drive overseas, but it’s not yet clear if both drivetrain configurations will be made available in right-hand drive for us.

System outputs are quoted at 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

Fuel Economy

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe consumes 10.6L/100km on the ADR combined city and highway cycle when equipped with the V6 engine. It runs on 91RON regular unleaded fuel.

Expect near-identical figures from the 2021 Santa Fe petrol when it launches.

Although the outgoing turbo-diesel model previously had a claim of 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle, the reworked engine and dual-clutch transmission is likely to drop that figure significantly.

For reference, the related Kia Sorento has a claimed combined fuel economy of 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle with the same powertrain.

Dimensions

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe measures 4785mm long, 1709mm tall and 1899mm wide, with a 2766mm wheelbase.

Luggage space for the new Santa Fe hasn’t been confirmed, however total luggage space is 547L in the 2020 model, increasing to a maximum of 1625L with the second and third rows folded.

Safety

When the Hyundai Santa Fe was tested by ANCAP in 2018, it received a rating of five stars.

That rating was based on an adult occupant protection score of 94 per cent, child occupant protection of 86 per cent, pedestrian protection of 67 per cent and safety assist of 78 per cent.

The new Santa Fe may need to be re-tested, however, given it’s based on a separate platform to the outgoing car.

The base 2021 Santa Fe will come standard with the following active safety features:

Autonomous emergency braking
Turn assist at junctions
Multi-collision brake assistance
Blind-spot monitoring and assist
Lane-keeping assist
Lane following assist
Rear cross-traffic assist
Adaptive cruise control

The range-topping Highlander adds to that a blind-spot camera view in the digital instrument binnacle, reverse autonomous emergency braking, and remote smart parking.

There are also front, front-side and curtain airbags for the first row, as well as curtain airbags for the second row.

Servicing and Warranty

Like the wider Hyundai range, the Santa Fe is expected to pack a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The Korean brand also offers five years of roadside assistance and lifetime capped-price servicing on its current line-up.

Standard Equipment

The base Santa Fe will pack the following standard features:

Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
LED headlights and daytime running lights
8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Wireless phone charging
4.2-inch digital trip computer
Black grille inserts
17-inch alloy wheels
Electronic parking brake

The Santa Fe Active gains:

Leather seats
Dual-zone climate control
18-inch alloy wheels
Keyless entry and start
Rain-sensing wipers
Rear privacy glass
Front parking sensors
Power-folding exterior mirrors with puddle lamps
Push-button gear selector with paddle shifters

Next rung up is the Santa Fe Elite, which adds:

10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, DAB+ radio
Satellite navigation
Harman/Kardon 10-speaker premium sound system
DAB+ digital radio
Power tailgate
10-way power driver’s seat and 8-way power passenger’s seat
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
20-inch alloy wheels
Second-row sun shades
Three USB charge ports