{"id":3145,"date":"2020-06-09T23:56:11","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T03:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/?p=3145"},"modified":"2025-03-07T09:27:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T14:27:53","slug":"hyundai-gives-2021-santa-fe-dramatic-new-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/hyundai-gives-2021-santa-fe-dramatic-new-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Hyundai gives 2021 Santa Fe dramatic new updates"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"2021
The refreshed 2021 Santa Fe delivers big on bold, with a wide new grille design that’s bound to stir up conversation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hyundai Canada has been a bit confusing with respect to its seven-passenger SUVs over the years, first offering the 2007\u20132013 Veracruz<\/a>, then dubbing their 2014\u20132019<\/a> three-row entry as the Santa Fe XL<\/a>, and finally giving the best of the lot the Palisade<\/a> nameplate for 2020. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hyundai\u2019s largest SUV now offers up a distinctive premium-level look for the brand and near luxury levels of refinement, and has therefore received plenty of positive reviews and achieved good traction on Canada\u2019s mid-size SUV sales chart. It ticks all the right boxes when it comes to design, execution and pricing, something the smaller two-row mid-size Santa Fe<\/a> has been doing for a very long time. Still, after two model years of availability, the fourth-generation Santa Fe will receive dramatic a mid-cycle makeover. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s difficult to say what might have prompted Hyundai to update its top-selling Santa Fe so thoroughly after just two model years, but a sizeable 21-percent pre-pandemic drop in Canadian sales from 24,040 units during calendar year 2018 to 18,929 deliveries through 2019 wouldn\u2019t have helped the situation, despite an almost 9-percent gain in the U.S. during the same 12 months (the Santa Fe<\/a> was trending downward toward the end of the year). Some of that negativity could\u2019ve been the Palisade<\/a>\u2019s introduction, which would have naturally eliminated most three-row Santa Fe XL<\/a> sales, not to mention a gradual phase-out of the XL as the 2019 calendar year ended, but either way the popular model\u2019s sales have slipped in recent years (it suffered a 15-percent drop the year before).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2021
A sportier looking version with grey lower body cladding and a unique grille insert shows that Hyundai plans to modify the exterior design between trims.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, Canada\u2019s sales wouldn\u2019t have caused a giant multination like Hyundai to completely rethink the design of a model that\u2019s not only manufactured in the U.S., but also Korea and China, and serves myriad markets around the world. Nevertheless, the changes are significant, with a unique new extended grille that reaches right out to each corner of the frontal fascia, the change meant to accentuate the SUV\u2019s width and provide a \u201cwell-balanced stance,\u201d said Hyundai in its press release. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe modernized the New Santa Fe with premium features and appealing aesthetics that are sure to add value,\u201d commented SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and head of Global Design Centre. \u201cThe bold lines that extend from one side to the other and from front to back give Santa Fe a rugged yet refined look that SUV customers want. Besides, we\u2019ve added numerous features and functions to create a truly family-focused SUV that is a pleasure to drive.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Interestingly, the new grille\u2019s \u201csignature geometric patterned inlay\u201d is different depending on the photo shown, but Hyundai\u2019s release didn\u2019t explain why. The version with body-colour painted lower trim included a grille insert with seven rows of isosceles trapezoid shapes, whereas the SUV with darker grey-coloured lower bumpers and rocker panels appeared to provide better aeration to its engine through bigger octagonal vent openings similar to those used on today\u2019s Santa Fe<\/a>. Is one a sport grille and the other for a top-line luxury model like today\u2019s Ultimate? Or possibly active grille shutters have something to do with the design. We should learn more as updated info becomes available closer to model\u2019s launch. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2021
Hyundai has updated much of the new 2021 Santa Fe’s rear design as well.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately Hyundai has only provided nine exterior photos to tease our collective imagination, 2021 Santa Fe release, although it\u2019s clear that both receive the brand\u2019s new T-shaped signature LED Daytime Running Lights, found in both the lower grille extensions and headlamp clusters above. Each T\u2019s outer tip visually continues rearward along the new Santa Fe\u2019s beltline before transitioning into a set of redesigned wraparound LED tail lamps, while thicker flat-planed wheel arches add a stronger look. These frame sizeable 20-inch alloy wheels boasting a seven-spoke geometric design on the two Santa Fe trims revealed. <\/span><\/p>\n

From its backside, the new Santa Fe gets yet more horizontal styling details to highlight its wide stance, such as a narrow light bar that connects the just-noted tail lamps, while down below on the bumper a thin reflector strip does likewise. A larger, wider rear vent cutout can be found under that, plus a new metallic skid plate, all of which is dubbed \u201ca unique three-layer look\u201d by the South Korean brand. <\/span><\/p>\n

While Hyundai hasn\u2019t provided any photos of the renewed 2021 Santa Fe cabin, it\u2019s shared some details in its press release that helps us understand what we might expect. Let\u2019s keep in mind that today\u2019s 2019-2020 fourth-gen Santa Fe<\/a> is already one of the most luxurious two-row crossover SUVs on the Canadian market, at least in its mainstream volume-branded sector, but Hyundai says the new version gets even \u201cmore space, comfort, and convenience,\u201d while adding \u201ca new level of luxury with every component finished in premium soft-touch materials.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2021
The centre stack and lower console has been totally redesigned for 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In its press release, Hyundai goes into more detail by saying that the Santa Fe\u2019s updated centre console \u201csits high, giving the driver and front passenger the feeling of sitting in an armchair,\u201d while all its buttons, knobs and switches are \u201ccentered for intuitive and ergonomic use.\u201d Additionally, like with the aforementioned Palisade<\/a>, the new Santa Fe\u2019s redesigned lower centre console receives a quad of buttons for shift-by-wire gear selection, replacing the traditional shifter. Although Hyundai didn\u2019t provide a photo, we saw one on the new model\u2019s press page, and figure that it\u2019s probably what we\u2019ll soon see. It looks the same as the Palisade\u2019s instrument panel and console, so we\u2019ve included that image here for you to see. <\/span><\/p>\n

The new gear interface includes an extension on the right featuring a new Terrain Mode dial selector with premium-like knurled metal sides. This enhances the performance of the Santa Fe\u2019s HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system with modes for overcoming slippery conditions such as Sand, Snow and Mud, plus it also includes Eco, Sport, Comfort and Smart modes, the latter for intuitively recognizing and automatically responding to one\u2019s personal driving style. Five additional buttons allow for quick adjustment to various driving and parking camera controls. <\/span><\/p>\n

These new drive controls are positioned just underneath two rows of nicely organized switches, the silver one on top for modulating the bigger, wider 10.25-inch AVN (audio, video, navigation) high-def centre touchscreen, and the lower one for the dual-zone HVAC system. Both rows feature more knurled metallic knobs for an upscale look that most likely continues throughout the cabin almost everywhere else, or at least this is true for the current Santa Fe<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"2019
2019 and 2020 Santa Fe models are still available, with tempting discounts or zero-percent finance and leasing plans.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of note, the Santa Fe<\/a> holds Hyundai Canada\u2019s most enduring SUV nameplate, having originally gone on sale for the 2001 model year. Now, 20 years later it\u2019s one of the most popular models in its class, and regularly searched here at CarCostCanada. While we have no information on the 2021 Santa Fe yet, we do have a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Canada Prices page<\/a> that is currently showing up to $3,000 in additional incentives for those wanting to purchase now, while those that find a 2019<\/a> model can access zero-percent leasing and financing rates. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, take note that Hyundai Canada is offering zero-percent leasing and financing rates on their 2020 Venue<\/a>, the 2020<\/a> and 2019 Kona Electric<\/a>, and the conventionally powered 2019 Kona<\/a>, 2019 Tucson<\/a>, 2019 Nexo<\/a> (a non-plug-in hydrogen-powered electric), while up to $1,000 in additional incentives is available with the 2020 Kona<\/a> and Palisade<\/a> SUVs, and just like with the 2020 Santa Fe<\/a> there\u2019s up to $3,000 in incentives when opting for the 2020 Tucson<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about getting a CarCostCanada membership by checking out our \u201cHow Does It Work\u201d<\/a> article. Here you\u2019ll find how you can access all of the above and more, including manufacturer rebates when available, plus dealer invoice pricing that could put thousands back into your wallet, plus make sure to download the new CarCostCanada mobile app in iTunes or Google Play stores. <\/span><\/p>\n

Story credit: Trevor Hofmann <\/span><\/p>\n

Photo credits: Hyundai<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hyundai Canada has been a bit confusing with respect to its seven-passenger SUVs over the years, first offering the 2007\u20132013 Veracruz, then dubbing their 2014\u20132019 three-row entry as the Santa Fe XL, and finally giving the best of the lot the Palisade nameplate for 2020. Hyundai\u2019s largest SUV now offers up a distinctive premium-level look […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3159,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[350,553,136,138,265,554,36,37,306,307,555,266,62,556,137,308,181],"class_list":["post-3145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-carcostcanada","tag-350","tag-car-like","tag-crossover","tag-cuv","tag-hyundai","tag-makeover","tag-mid-size","tag-midsize","tag-redesign","tag-refresh","tag-restyle","tag-santa-fe","tag-sport","tag-styling","tag-suv","tag-update","tag-utility"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3145"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3167,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions\/3167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/articles.carcostcanada.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}