The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe lasts around 250,000 miles with some windshield and exterior trim problems reported. At $24,275 to $35,225, it’s a decent value for a midsize SUV with an upscale interior.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a great year for the Hyundai Santa Fe since it features an upscale cabin along with advanced technology. Owner reviews praise the ten-year warranty, smooth suspension, along with the nice stereo system.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are much nicer than other SUVs on the market, the seats are supportive on long drives, cargo space is also good for its size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major issues reported on the 2021 Santa Fe. Avoid models from 2007 through 2014 which have a lot of engine problems. Models from 2015–2022 are much more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is poor from the base engine, although the more powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder is reasonably quick.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2021 Santa Fe is very safe, earning a 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control along with lane keep assist. Optional upgrades include lane following assist, as well as a remote parking assistant.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 25 MPG, giving 470 miles of range from the 18.8 gallon tank. Gas costs are $32 cheaper than average at $204 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is cheaper than many other midsize SUVs, although owners should be prepared for faster depreciation.
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Consumer Reports says the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe occupies a great position between compact and midsize SUVs, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Santa Fe at 4.1/5, praising the long warranty coverage, but doesn’t like the unresponsive touchscreen.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the 2021 Santa Fe a 4.6/5, enjoying the advanced driver assistance features, but don’t like the push button shifter setup.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
Problems found on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe include loose exterior trim pieces, cracked windshields, along with some rare reports of transmission failures. Most of the problems are fairly minor, leading to low repair costs as the Santa Fe ages. The Santa Fe is also covered by a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Loose exterior trim pieces are the most widespread complaint on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, showing up in the first 5,000 miles. Usually the problem is simply caused by either a loose clip or screw. Replacing the clips or screws costs around $25, depending on local labor rates and fixes the problem.
Cracked windshields have also been reported on the 2021 Santa Fe, showing up at around 2,500 miles. There was one production run of glass which is more susceptible to cracking when hit with small stones. Replacing the windshield costs around $550, and fixes the problem.
Transmission failures are a rare, but serious, problem that shows up on some Santa Fe models at roughly 10,000 miles. The failures are more common with the stronger turbocharged engine. Usually transmission replacements are covered under warranty, although if it fails outside the 10-year warranty period then they can cost over $3,500.
There are six recalls on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, which is worse than some other SUVs from the same year. The most serious recall is for the tow hitch wiring harness, which has been known to catch fire. Hyundai will replace the harness on affected models for free. There are also some recalls on fuel pipes, which Hyundai will also fix for free.
How Long Will the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe can last around 250,000 miles, which is shorter than other midsize SUVs like the Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to some of the competition, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $485 per year.
As a used 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the A/C drier which costs $300, coolant reservoir costing $350, along with the engine oil cooler which costs around $750.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good with a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a more powerful stereo system along with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen.
Standard safety technology is great offering:
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision avoidance assist with braking system
- Driver attention monitor
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Highway driving assist with steering inputs
- Safe exit assist to unlock rear doors
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Head-up display
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Lane following assist
- Blind spot monitoring
- Surround-view parking camera
- Blind spot camera
- Remote smart parking assist
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Is the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is a good value since it’s more affordable than many other SUVs on the market. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $24,275 to $35,225, making it less than a Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $27,000 to $42,450. Depreciation is a bit worse than other SUVs, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Santa Fe?
There are four models of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, from the base SE, all the way through to the luxurious Santa Fe Calligraphy.
SE is the entry-level model with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- LED Headlights
- 60/40-Split Folding Rear Seats
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Four USB Ports
SEL is a step up, adding:
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Keyless Entry and Push Button Ignition
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- Wireless Device Charging
- Roof Rails
- Hyundai’s Blue Link Connected Services
Limited adds features such as:
- 19-Inch Wheels
- Leather Upholstery
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Noise Reducing Side Windows
- Upgraded LED headlights
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Heated Rear Seats
- Panoramic Sunroof
- LED Interior Ambient Lighting
- Power-Folding Rear Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
Calligraphy is the flagship model which has:
- Larger 20-Inch Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating With Quilted Stitching
- Suede Headliner
- Head-Up Display
- Upgraded Front Bumper
What Engines Come In the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with two engine options:
- 5-liter Inline-4: This naturally aspirated engine produces 191 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for this engine is 25 MPG combined for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) version and 24 MPG combined for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version.
- 5-liter Turbocharged Inline-4: This more powerful engine generates 277 horsepower and is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The combined fuel economy for this engine is rated at 25 MPG for the FWD version and 24 MPG for the AWD version. Performance is good, taking 7.4 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is offers a comfortable and pleasant driving experience for both drivers and passengers. The interior has a lot of high quality materials. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom for adults, even in the rear.
The ride quality is smooth and composed, with the suspension effectively absorbing road imperfections, providing a relaxed journey on various road conditions. Additionally, the Santa Fe features a quiet cabin, with minimal intrusion of road and wind noise, allowing for a serene environment. Overall, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe excels in providing a comfortable and enjoyable ride for its occupants.
How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a versatile amount of storage space. With all seats in place, it provides 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space. There is 72.1 cubic feet of room with the second row folded down. These figures make the Santa Fe competitive within its class for cargo space.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe was introduced for the 2019 model year.
2015: Smoother suspension, and hands-free power liftgate added.
2016: GLS model renamed to SE.
2017: Minor exterior styling changes, optional adaptive cruise control, standard 7-inch touchscreen stereo system.
2018: Limited model removed from the lineup.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with upgraded engines, technology, and styling.
2020: Ultimate model discontinued, improved blind-spot monitoring system.
2021: Small exterior styling changes, upgraded Calligraphy model introduced, more powerful engines offered.
How Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is a nice midsize SUV offering an upscale interior paired with good technology for the money, although there are a few reliability concerns as it ages and is out of warranty.
The Kia Sorento is another midsize SUV which is available for around $2,000 less. Both the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are built on the same base platform, although the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a more luxurious interior for the money. We recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe, although it’s worth testing both out to see which one you prefer.
The Nissan Rogue is a smaller SUV which is about $4,000 cheaper. Steering is more responsive in the Nissan Rogue, while the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a nicer interior and more passenger room. We recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe, although both are decent choices for the 2021 model year.
