Hyundai isn't the Hyundai it used to be. They are well-designed and getting great reputations from owners. I am looking into Santa Fe. Thx for a nice review!
do not buy a car with Hyundai Smartstream engine. they have lost problem when you reached around 30k. and the warranty do not cover all of the repair cost(40%).
Wow! I've seen several RU-vid videos on this make and model year and I am really excited in what this car design is offering to the world! The Limited series design model is what I'm learning toward. Seems like the other brands that are "similar" design just seems to miss the pull to them for several reasons that car maker Hyundai has now got going after several years research and perfection. I have a near 18 year old Subaru Forester that has been pretty good to me in service...just 130K in mileage and still looks pretty good (I try to treat all my cars I've had over 50 years well) IF I get this 2021 Santa Fe...I hope it does great for many years. As long as the mechanics of the car and body hold together in the area of no rattles and very good paint job...I'll be super pleased. The features it has and long leg specs are great! Good video, guys!
You guys are knocking it out of the park on your car reviews! I love the changes made to the instrument panel over the 2020 model. The 2020 model dash layout looked like something GM still produces.
Excellent review. Special kudos for pointing out some of the shared features and similarities between the Santa Fe and the KIA Sorento, comments that few reviewers ever make regardless of which vehicle is being reviewed. In fact, while the two vehicles have been very, very similar for a number of years, they're even more closely related for 2021. Almost as much as the Telluride and Palisade. Of course, ever since 2018 the Santa Fe and Sorento have differed as far as passenger capacity is concerned with the Santa Fe being a two row crossover and the Sorento (unique in its size category) in having a standard three rows of seats. That difference remains but the engine/transmission options in previous years differed, as well. That difference is eliminated in the 2021 versions with each vehicle offering identical engine/transmission choices. There are some other differences as well. Because the Santa Fe does not offer the option of a third row of seats (in the US) it also lacks the option of captain's chairs in the second row even in the top "Calligraphy" trim. Regardless of trim the Hyundai is a five passenger crossover compared to the Palisade's (optimistic) claim of seating 8. The Sorento counters with a "cozy" reclining third row that seats two average size adults for local trips for a total of six or seven (friendly) passengers. Second, despite nearly identical external and internal dimensions the Sorento claims to have 75.5 cubic ft of over all cargo space compared to the Santa Fe's 72.1 cf. That's a small difference but it's not insignificant especially when loading up with cargo and/or luggage. Whether it's is real or simply the result of differing measurement strategies is unclear. If the difference is real it probably has to do with the fact that the Sorento is about an inch and a half longer overall than the Santa Fe and may have a slightly more vertical rear hatch. Third, another difference that may well matter to many consumers is that the Santa Fe retains driver seat memory settings (at least in upper trims), a feature that's been dropped altogether in the (US version) Sorento. For a "family SUV" with multiple drivers that's a significant deficit. I think dealers will quickly come to regret that omission and complain to KIA. Finally, much like the Telluride vs the Palisade, the Hyundai and KIA designers appear to be aiming at somewhat different consumers despite the overall similarities between the Santa Fe and the Sorento. The Santa Fe's new top Calligraphy trim aims, much like the Palisade's top trim, to project a near luxury vibe while the top trim SX Prestige X-Line Sorento (like the Telluride) aims for a more rugged image with trim pieces and increased ground clearance at an MSRP nearly identical to the Santa Fe Calligraphy model. Personally I find the Sorento more appealing overall even with the deficit of seat memory compared to the Santa Fe. But that's mainly because as a current Sorento owner I find its occasional use third row to be a important benefit despite the fact that our family (two adults, a teenage daughter, and a big dog) uses it considerably less than 10% of the time. When called upon to chauffeur a gaggle of teenagers or transport 6 or 7 passengers to a local destination that third row is a huge convenience compared to taking two vehicles. Others, of course, will have different priorities.
Please include a few shots of your test vehicles in the dark with inside & outside lights and features. Review the quality of headlight power. Brake feel and steering feel.
I like the Sorento too, but the Santa Fe Calligraphy is just as nice (if not a bit nicer). Specially considering you get ambient lighting, HUD, memory seats, rear heated seats, and rear sunshades.
@@gcasillas1213 the Hyundai is a bit more upscale, but I like the traditional shifter, the rims (all Hyundai rims are fugly, IMHO), and the lack of 1000 buttons on the center stack in the Kia. I don’t want a 3rd row, but I would go Kia in a heartbeat if they only offered memory seats.
Test drove both the Santa fe Limited and the Kia Sorento X-line today. My wife and I both agree that the Santa fe was quieter and had a smoother ride than the Sorento. Like them both, but we are leaning towards the Santa fe.
Howdy, absolutely great review as always y’all! If you had told me I’d say Hyundai/Kia are some of the best mainstream car companies in the U.S and just how good Genesis, a luxury division of Hyundai is ten years ago, I’d think you were crazy! That be said, the first statement is one hundred percent accurate now!😸😻😸
One tip for anyone with a 2019+ SF: Since the tire jack is so rarely needed, I pulled out the styrofoam piece it's stored in and used a knife to cut just a bit of foam off the length. This allowed me to easily fit it into one of the farther back underfloor storage compartments and freed up the other side of the more convenient underfloor storage which also allows you to put long items in there like a large umbrella
@MiniBoatin' Great minds think alike! It really makes you wonder what their rationale was for going that route. They technically could have saved a little money by using less foam and molding the rear cubby on one side to incorporate the jack
Great review as always, but I'm glad we got the 2020. I prefer the rims, interior, and front fascia on the 2019/2020. The 2021 has way too many buttons and the exterior styling is bit too over done. If I were going with a 2021, I'd go with the new Kia Sorento.
Great video! This is a great SUV all around. Yes others may always throw in their must have negative comments, but in the “real” world those really dont hold up or are not really significant. Awesome SUV, I know and have it! One thing I didnt see coming was that thick stack of coupons!
So many positives about the Santa Fe. One thing I don’t understand is why they eliminated the fog lights? Fog lights can be very helpful in illuminating the white lines in the curbs when you are in a difficult visibility situation. What do you use when you don’t have fog lights?
Great video! We currently own a 2018 Santa Fe Limited Ultimate AWD and a 2019 Hyundai Sonata Sport. Both are excellent vehicles and absolutely trouble free. Basic maintenance is covered by our local Hyundai dealership at no cost for three years and the best warranty coverage in the automotive industry. And, they even paid for an extended warranty on both vehicles and free window/sun roof tinting at no extra charge! My only complaints with the 2021 Santa Fe...No dual exhaust (like we have on ours) and no gear shift lever...I am not a fan of the push-button transmission. And our 2018 Santa Fe has 3rd row seating that folds down into the trunk space until you need to utilize it. But a great looking car nonetheless.
Your reviews have gotten so much better from when I first started watching. But, stop testing the the sound system. It sounds the same on my laptop or tablet. Thanks though. Also, take your ride on a back road and let us know how it feels. Handling is very important. And, does it have launch control? If it does or doesn't test it! Keep up the good work.
I really appreciate the fact that the speaker grills actually have the same textured pattern as the quilted leather top portion of the seats (in the higher trims). There's a whole lot of thought going into these new Korean cars and I for one, am falling in love with all of them. I do think this is superior to the Sorento, especially if it also wields the blind spot cameras (commenting before driving portion). I don't think it looks better on the outside, but with the right color, I could settle. And I actually really want a car with this new smart park function and Hyundai doesn't seem to be letting Kia have it yet, for reasons I'm sure we'll never be told
I really like both vehicles a lot. One thing I do not like in the Sorento is the Gloss black on the dashbord (shows too much dust & fingerprints). Plus not a fan of the touch controls. I am more of a button guy. That's why i like the dashboard of the Santa Fe. I feel the dashboard on the Santa Fe is a little less busy with everything in the center stack leaving the dashboard very plain. Just my opinion.
Also it appears you can get the full digital cluster , leather, and the full panoramic sunroof on the mid trim SEL with the optional convenience and premium packages. Not exclusive to the Limited trim and higher like you mentioned....sorry to be a pain but I have the 2019 Santa Fe and have been heavily researching the new one to see if its worth trading in and upgrading ...Love your vids as always but I gotta fact check ya! LOL
That's right... We filmed this before Hyundai had complete information available, which is why we couldn't say specifically what SEL packages things were in 👍. Merry Christmas! ⛄
Well done Hyundai, well done indeed. They are positively disrupting the car market with excellent output, especially from their luxury line, *Genesis* - Doing a welcome change à la Lexus - as they did, forever changing the car market/manufacturing in the early 90's. Car Confections, have a Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2021. Same to your subscribers. 🚘🍩
Don't know what was up with that helicopter, reminds me of the one that flew over my house 😄 Merry Christmas to you both as well as the rest of the family 🌲🎁
Very true. I am in the market for a replacement for my 2006 Honda pilot all-wheel-drive with 177,000 reliable miles on it. These cars are so impressive but each has some things I like and somethings I don’t. I’m waiting for what I expect will be the 2022 major refresh on the Honda passport which now is about the same length as my current 2006 pilot. I don’t want a longer car than that and I only need a five passenger. I do not need the longer longer length of the newer pilots nor do I need a third seat. But I want the second row to be a bench seat. So right now, I’m waiting to see what the Passport turns out to be. And then it will probably be a decision between the Santa Fe calligraphy and the Passport.
@@mombam I don’t know what is it with you Honda fans. The new passport is just gonna be as boring as it is now. And no regular mainstream brand can never catch up with Hyundai/Kia with tech for a fact. The styling isn’t bad, it looks so good in person, the interior is like a luxury vehicle, the quality is great, tons of features, bench seat that you want lots of space. It’s not long, and it has a powerful engine and I understand the no fog lights situation, but the headlights are mounted low so no need for fog lights.
VERY thorough review, i am thinking of the SEL version or 2022 Tucson SEL AWD, some people say the 2.5 non turbo is kind of acceptable for power and thats it, i guess it depends on what you really are going to use it for?
I’m taking delivery of a 2021 Kia Sorento SX Prestige X-Line next week and I’m starting to second guess whether I made the right decision. Things that I notice that are missing on the new redesigned Sorento are HUD, heated rear seats, ambient lighting, rear sunshades, memory seats, and a household style plug. The refreshed 2021 Santa Fe Calligraphy also has smart park and digital key. However, I personally think the new Sorento looks better and likely has better capabilities with the higher ground clearance. One thing I noticed is that the Kia Sorento gets more features in other countries such as the HUD, ambient lighting, rear sunshades, etc. which is very frustrating for US buyers. Not sure why Kia decided to leave out features for the US...
@@schmoestudy I actually can because it’s going to be a company car and Kia Motor Financing is complete trash. I paid the downpayment and completed all the paperwork last Monday (9 business days ago) and they still don’t have an eta on when KMF is going to fund the vehicle. Meanwhile, we just purchased two other Chevy company cars with financing in a three day span... my sales person literally told me a couple days ago that I can back out of the deal which I thought was a completely ridiculous thing for her to say to a client. The only explanation I can think of is that they only have one Sorento SX Prestige X-Line and it’s their showroom car and they need it to sell more. Either that or Kia is actually super short handed and aren’t able to process finance deals in a timely matter. I really wish Kia didn’t remove features for the US because it would have been perfect with ambient lighting, HUD, heated/cooled middle seats, memory driver seat, and 110V household outlet. I also considered dropping the deal and going with a Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy but I prefer having something smaller and more sporty like my personal X3 M40i
In the US, I think the Santa Fe is going to stick with being a two row. They probably want to push people into buying the Palisade for third row seating. In other countries, I believe the Santa Fe can be optioned with a power folding third row just like the Palisade.
I just ordered my 2021 Santa Fe Calligraphy in Calypso Red. Should be here next month. I just hate the 19” rims. Wanted the Kia Sorento at first, but the X-Line still is missing a lot of features that the Calligraphy offers.
Merry Christmas, Drew and Mason! I need the name of the cool song you played for the sound test! Question: Does the Limited trim come with rainsensing wipers or is that only available on the Calligraphy trim??
Merry Christmas to you also!! As others have said, rain sense wiper are on both the Limited and Calligraphy. And as far as the song, it's called "Logo Mallet" by Kwon on the RU-vid audio library
So hard to beat this value! Looking at replacing our 2013 Edge. In 2014 I went to replace our Taurus expecting to get a Fusion - drove off the lot with an Elantra, and have owned 2 Elantras and 1 Sonata since. Our Edge is the last daily driver that's not a Hyundai....and I think it will in fact be the last. Looking forward to seeing your review of the Santa Fe hybrid.
Happy Holidays! Hopefully, you get to have a chance to review the Next Gen Genesis Models. The GV80 is the new Genesis SUV and the G80 has been redesigned! Both have a ridiculously large 14.5-inch Infotainment Screen in the Middle! Both also have a 3D Cluster! Also, I can't wait for the Next Gen Japanese Models to come out, like the new 2022 Acura MDX and 2022 Honda Civic!
@@TeslaRules1856 yea but you aren’t getting anything close to what you are getting with the Santa Fe. Not only all the tech and safety gadgets, but it’s also way quieter on the road as opposed to the Honda.
I've waited and waited for Toyota to step their game up. They made an effort with the Rav4 but it's still far behind when it comes to features, performance, styling and price. For my next upgrade, I'm pretty certain it will be a Santa fe.
Seat memory, heated steering wheel, and power folding mirrors in the limited trim? Nice! Not crazy about the limited wheels though. They look down market. Spy pics showed another wheel design (not talking bout the caligraphy wheels) that was much nicer. Must have had supply issues?
I'm thinking of buying a used 2021 with this turbo engine and DCT. You commented that this "wet" DCT doesn't have any of the weird traits of a regular DCT. Would that mean the juddering when you allow these DCT vehicles to creep ahead when you let off the brake when you're in stop-n-go traffic? That was a main concern of mine in deciding whether or not to get this Santa Fe with the wet DCT.
Yes, you caught me watching this. Outstanding video on all the features and I really like you all taking the decibel reading. Road noise is something that irritates me.
I have a 2019 2.0T Santa Fe Ultimate FWD . I am happy enough with my Santa Fe that I would not trade in for this redesigned 2021 Santa Fe even though I really like the interior dash redesign and the new 2.5T engine. I will just say that my 2.0T engine is impressive in operation , my loaded 2019 Santa Fe substantially shares the same qualities as the 2021 model, I am able to tow a 19’ boat with it . The Santa Fe is a very good SUV and I would recommend it to a prospective buyer. I have 31,000 trouble free miles on mine so far . And I like the wheels on my 2019 model better than the 2021 !
I agree about the interior. I prefer the interior on the Kia Sorrento but I don’t want the third row and I don’t like captains seats at the upper level where you can’t choose instead to have a bench seat. But I prefer the interior on the Sorrento. It’s frustrating because each of the cars I’m looking at has something else that I prefer and something else that I don’t. 😂😂
@@mombam Funny, a Kia Sorento with 2nd row captains chairs and a 3 row seat would only (realistically) hold one more passenger (6) versus 5 in a two row Santa Fe. That makes no sense to me . Finally, you have always have room for cargo in the Santa Fe, in the Sorento there’s very little room for cargo/luggage with the 3rd row deployed ......
@@bradleyscarreviews Funny, it looks the same as my 2019 from the side and back views. The door panels are the same. The speaker grills are the same . The steering wheel is the same. Sorry pal, the 2021 is not a total redesign , it is a comprehensive update.
It's a google issue. The wireless data transfer isn't fast enough to fill the screen in the large format and it potentially either disconnects or flicks on and off. Both being safety hazards. They'll probably update it with firmware later.
I have big problem with car companies like Hyundai and Toyota for creating too much grill for their cars! They very hard to wash when you have so many holes and edges I don’t like they have fake grills or take away the forge light
Do the rear seats slide forward and back? That was a feature of the 2019 Santa Fe that was deleted on the 2020 model. I also noticed the spare tire has been replaced with a fix-a-flat kit ☹️. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
I'm not sure about the seats, but for the spare tire I believe it is still mounted underneath the body outside the vehicle. Merry Christmas to you also! 🎄
@@bradleyscarreviews I wasn’t arguing with them, just looking for clarification. The Limited model they reviewed had a tire inflator kit so, obviously it would not also have a spare tire underneath. I’ve since found out that a spare tire is included with FWD Limited while the AWD Limited gets a tire inflator kit. Calligraphy models all come with a tire inflator kit, probably because AWD is standard on Calligraphy.
Great review fellas. You are one of the reasons that I went on to buy my 2019 Santa Fe. Does this new version still have blind spot detection on top of the camera view?
My full size GMC Savana van lets me swap seats and get stuff from the rear without ever stepping out into the cold inclement or wet weather. Can't do that with these toy vehicles, eh?
Blame US regulations. All the real estate is on the trunk, a moveable body piece and regulations say turn signals and brake lights have to be put on a fixed body piece, so that was their only choice