Motorola

Hyundai Gives 2021 Santa Fe A Thorough Refresh With Daring Face And New Platform


"Refresh" in quotes because it's basically a new model. Here are the changes:

-New exterior
-New platform (?!)
-New engines (yet to be announced, but we know there will be new hybrid options)

I'm assuming the engines and platform are from the new Sonata.

Only part that can be considered a "refresh" is the interior layout. Current Santa Fe is only two years old. The Korean product cycle is typically fast, but this is crazy for any manufacturer.

703

That is the only way to entice spending up to a point during recession.

we won’t see anyone lining up 2am to buy a new iPhone this year or the next.

GFerg

Ok, I'm glad you said this cause I thought I was trippin! They overturn almost as fast as technology companies. Lol.

Toys4RJill

Interesting update. Front end looks goofy. Rear looks like a Buick Enclave copy cat. I like the interior color combinations. This new update tablet looks so much better than the awful looking tablet from the previous gen with the cheap buttons on each side.

Holy center console buttons Batman I really like how the buttons are there for redundancy and Hyundai has not gone to some stupid remote touch. Eyes do go off the road to change the controls but that is minor.

Lets hope Hyundai introduces some new engines options that are segment leading...the Toyota dynamic force motors are hard to beat.

Looks like a winner for the Hyundai faithful

Motorola

I've heard it was due to the increasing demand for EVs (especially in Europe), and the current Santa Fe platform is pretty old and not designed for hybrids and electrification, which is why it wasn't offered previously. So the only option Hyundai had was to make the car electrically compatible, completely replacing its bones. I guess we can expect a Santa Fe EV like the Kona EV in the near future.

Still, it's insane that they were able to accomplish this in only two years. I don't care at all for the Santa Fe, but this is a remarkable feat of engineering.

tex2670

Dang. I should have waited 2 more years....

jrmckinley

Geez - I thought the Santa Fe wouldn't be touched for a bit since it was just redesigned in 2019. I steered my mom to looking at this and she bought a 2020 (and loves it) about a month ago. I think I like the exterior looks of hers more but I like some of the interior aspects of this newer one (but I don't care for the digital dash they showed in the video).

tex2670

Clearly the digital gauges are shown from the hybrid model. Maybe normal mode/gas versions would be more preferable.

pbm317

It's possible that many of the interior changes we see are hybrid specific as well. Will only know more once U.S. shows their specific pics and specs.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

that interior is a home run. i sense they're going right after the cr-v and rav4.

bagwell

for Bit - yes, this refresh looks 'Special', LOL!!

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

talk about a coordinated media launch or youtube hungry channel owners... doing a search for 2021 santa fe showed me TONS of similar videos launched in the past few hours!

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...=2021+santa+fe

Motorola

It'll be sharing the same platform and powertrains as the new Kia Sorento, according to Alex:


Odd that the PHEV won't be brought over.

pbm317

That's where it's difficult for Hyundai. The Tucson is supposed to be the CR-V/RAV4 fighter. Right now the outgoing Tucson is like 1/8th too small. And then the Santa Fe is priced alongside the CR-V/RAV, but also like 1/8th or more bigger. Next Tucson is expected to grow to be right in line with CR-V/RAV4 footprint. I had heard that this Santa Fe was supposed to grow a little in length, so curious to see if that comes to fruition.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

It's a KDM 1st gen Jeep Cherokee