Best Car Reviews - 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD

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Introduction

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD is a refreshed two-row midsize SUV aimed at families and commuters who want a comfortable cabin, confident all-weather traction, and a strong mix of safety tech and everyday practicality. For 2021, Hyundai focused on updated styling, a more modern interior feel, and a revised powertrain lineup, helping the Santa Fe stand out as a value-forward alternative to many mainstream rivals.

Design and Exterior Features

For the 2021 model year, the Santa Fe received a noticeably sharper look with a bolder front end, updated lighting signatures, and cleaner surfacing that makes it appear more upscale than earlier versions. It still keeps a sensible footprint for urban driving and parking, but it has the upright stance and SUV proportions buyers expect, especially with AWD models often paired with more rugged-looking trim details.

Updated front and rear styling for a more premium appearance
Modern lighting design with available LED elements
Available larger wheel designs depending on trim
Practical ride height and wide-opening doors for family use

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the 2021 Santa Fe emphasizes a clean layout, improved perceived quality, and family-friendly storage. The dashboard design looks more contemporary than before, with available larger displays and convenience features that make daily driving easier. Seating comfort is generally a strong point in this class, and the Santa Fe’s two-row format prioritizes passenger space and cargo usability rather than squeezing in a third row.

Comfortable seating for five with a roomy second row
Upscale trim options on higher grades for a more premium feel
Useful center-console storage and practical small-item cubbies
Available features like larger infotainment and digital driver displays (trim-dependent)

Performance and Handling

This 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD configuration uses a 2.5-liter inline-four with combined direct injection and multi-point injection (often described as SIDI and PFI), paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and regular gasoline. Output for the standard 2.5-liter engine is commonly listed around 191 horsepower and about 182 lb-ft of torque, delivering smooth, everyday power that suits commuting and family errands more than aggressive sport driving. On the road, the Santa Fe leans toward comfort: steering is easygoing, the ride is tuned for bumps and rough pavement, and AWD adds traction confidence in rain, snow, or gravel.

Fuel efficiency varies by exact trim and equipment. For the 2.5-liter AWD with the 8-speed automatic, EPA-style estimates are typically in the low 20s mpg city and high 20s mpg highway, which is roughly about 11.2 L/100 km city and 8.4 L/100 km highway, with around 9.8 L/100 km combined when based on a 24 mpg combined figure. Your provided fuel-consumption figure of 12.39625 L/100 km is plausible for heavier urban use, short trips, cold weather, or a more aggressive driving style.

2.5L 4-cylinder with combined direct and port injection for balanced efficiency and response
8-speed automatic transmission focused on smooth daily drivability
AWD traction helps stability in poor weather and on loose surfaces
Comfort-oriented ride and handling suited to family driving

Technology and Connectivity

The 2021 Santa Fe places a strong emphasis on convenience and everyday tech. Lower trims commonly focus on simple, easy-to-use infotainment with smartphone integration, while higher trims can add larger screens, upgraded audio, and more advanced driver-assistance features. Hyundai’s approach is generally to offer a lot of modern technology for the money, especially when moving from base trims into mid-level packages.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto availability (trim-dependent)
Available larger infotainment displays on upper trims
Digital instrument cluster availability on higher grades
Convenience tech such as wireless charging on equipped models

Safety Features

Safety is a major strength for the 2021 Santa Fe. It earns strong crashworthiness scores in IIHS testing, and it is associated with a top-tier overall NHTSA star rating. Availability of certain IIHS awards can depend on headlight configuration, so trim and options matter. Beyond crash tests, Hyundai’s driver-assistance suite typically includes key features designed to help avoid common collisions and reduce fatigue on longer drives.

Strong IIHS crashworthiness ratings across core tests
NHTSA overall 5-star safety rating association for the model year
Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking (equipment varies)
Lane-keeping and lane-following assistance (equipment varies)
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on many trims/packages

Pricing and Variants

At launch, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe lineup started around $26,850 MSRP for the base SE with front-wheel drive, while an SE with AWD was listed around $28,550 MSRP (excluding destination). Trims typically included SE, SEL, SEL with Convenience, SEL with additional premium content, Limited, and Calligraphy, with turbocharged and electrified variants also offered in the broader 2021 lineup. In the midsize two-row SUV space, the Santa Fe competes with vehicles like the Toyota Venza, Honda Passport, Ford Edge, Subaru Outback, and Kia Sorento, often winning on features-per-dollar and warranty value while rivals may lead in brand loyalty, resale strength, or specific performance niches.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Comfortable, family-friendly ride quality for daily driving
AWD traction confidence for year-round conditions
Strong safety credentials and widely available driver-assistance tech
Modern interior design and available upscale trim presentation
Competitive pricing and feature content for the class

Cons

Fuel economy can drop noticeably in city driving and cold climates
Base engine prioritizes smoothness over quick acceleration
Some advanced tech features require stepping up to higher trims/packages
Owner reports for the generation include occasional infotainment and sensor glitches
Higher-output powertrains in the lineup can introduce added complexity compared to the base setup

Maintenance and Common Issues

Estimated maintenance and repair costs vary by location, driving style, and service pricing, but one widely cited average annual repair-and-maintenance estimate for the Hyundai Santa Fe nameplate is about $515 per year. For common owner-reported issues discussed for the 2021 Santa Fe and its generation, patterns often include the following themes, noting that frequency can depend on trim, equipment, and individual vehicle history.

Five commonly reported issue areas include: transmission shifting concerns or hesitation (more often discussed on higher-output configurations in the lineup), infotainment or connectivity glitches, rear camera display problems that can be recall-related on certain vehicles, driver-assistance sensor warnings that may appear intermittently, and interior rattles or wind noise on rough roads.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.3/10. Design: 8.5/10. Comfort: 8.6/10. Performance: 7.8/10. Technology: 8.4/10. Safety: 8.8/10.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback for the 2021 Santa Fe AWD commonly highlights comfort, quietness for the class, and satisfaction with safety and convenience features. Many owners also appreciate the practical cargo space and the feeling of security that AWD brings in bad weather. Negative feedback patterns tend to focus on occasional tech quirks, mixed experiences with drivability smoothness depending on configuration, and real-world fuel economy that can be higher than expected when driving is mostly stop-and-go.

Comfortable seats and an easy-to-live-with cabin layout
Good everyday visibility and confidence in poor weather with AWD
Strong appreciation for driver-assistance features once properly set up
Some complaints about infotainment pairing, sensors, or camera behavior
Fuel economy that varies widely based on commute style and climate

Best Cars in This Category

2021 Kia Sorento
2021 Honda Passport
2021 Toyota Venza
2021 Ford Edge
2021 Subaru Outback

Summary

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD is best suited for drivers who want a comfortable midsize SUV with strong safety credentials, modern convenience technology, and the extra reassurance of all-wheel drive. It delivers a well-rounded ownership experience with a refreshed design and a practical, family-first interior. If you prioritize value, comfort, and safety tech over sporty performance or maximum fuel efficiency, the 2021 Santa Fe AWD remains a compelling pick in the two-row SUV segment.