2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Review: Upscale Midsize SUV With Some Decent Reliability Ratings

R E Allen on February 7, 2024

When shopping for our Santa Fe, we looked at many different models brands and sizes some smaller some larger and felt very comfortable with the size of this vehicle. The interior is beautiful and lacks the big TV screen that many of the SUVs have that I didn't care for. After driving it, I was impressed with its cornering handling breaking an overall driving position. I now have 15,000 miles on it and I'm totally impressed with its comfort and all of the safety features. Some of the smaller SUVs we drove were noisy, and I felt every bump on the road, some of the larger SUVs were just too big. I was impressed with how quiet this car was and how it smoothed out lot of the rough roads that we have here in California. We have the SEL model with a 2.5 L turbo charged engine that has plenty of power and decent fuel economy. I get over 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 miles per gallon in town. This is an amazing vehicle that drove nicer both in town and freeway than many other SUVs costing thousand more.

Rita on January 21, 2024

Before he died my husband wanted me to have a safe reliable vehicle. Since his death I've had to deal with three recalls. Two of those breakdowns occurred as I was on the interstate, frightened. This last recall, breakdown was transmission. My car was in their service department 44 days. I don't know what's next.

LuAnn McGiffin on November 30, 2022

I was the first one in America to own the 2021 Santa Fe limited, or any 2021 SF actually! I've never owned a Hyundai but I am loving this vehicle! I have Stormy Seas with the leather trim interior. Every feature possible in this baby Palisade, I can tell you it has features I thought I'd never use in AZ and I've used them all from parking assist to heated steering wheel and cooled and heated seats! The window shades in the rear windows help in 115* heat. I love the cameras and everything that came with it. I love to open the roof and let the sun in without getting blown all over the place.

Craig P on November 29, 2022

Having concerns with the transmission and its rough shifting. Rest of SUV is great. Gas mileage is around 28 to 31 mpg and radio is terrific. Interior is comfortable and all controls are easy to reach. Don't. Care that the default for engine shutoff at stop requires attention everytime you start car as does the radio display. Could be worse!

Steve C on September 9, 2022

Bought my Santa Fe with SEL trim level in May 2021. After 16,000 miles I have had no problems and have enjoyed the quiet, smooth ride. Lots of space and great gas mileage (average slightly over 30 mpg, mix of city and highway. Love all of the safety features and the long warranty. The AEB system helped me to avoid a collision when a driver pulled directly in front of me from a side road. Brakes activated before my foot hit the brake pedal. My only knock is the somewhat slow acceleration in Normal or Economy mode, but the Sport mode does fine.

Marco1666 on August 30, 2022

Yes! 2021 Santa Fe just moved from parked reverse as I was walking away it had my friend and my son and toe who were screaming their heads up and the car slammed into a flagpole I tried to hop in and save it but I didn't make it in time. My Honda and the insurance agency have denied the claim. Technically no one was even in when the car slammed into the pole. So if the vacant seats fault that the car rolled away. This vehicle even supposedly has features that s*** the car in the park whenever the driver opens the door. The technician at my Hyundai and told us that would be no codes that to show up cuz this is something that would only happen one in a thousand. He then proceeded to show us how the car will go to park when you open the door and even if you press over while the door is open it still will not go into reverse it's just shifts back in the park. Apparently my 5 year old is lying when he tells you that the car rolled away Mommy as she was walking away. Thank goodness I didn't walk behind the car. Or it roll into the restaurant, oncoming traffic, off a cliff!! I immediately contacted my Hyundai and assumed that they would want to address the issue. Nope they have slept it under the rug and they are refusing responsibility I'm at a loss of what to do Surely more 21 Santa Few will experience this problem and unfortunately it's probably going to take a death or two before they actually recognize it.

edward moore on June 19, 2022

I now have 3000 miles on my new sante fe. The push button shifter has been nothing but a problem. It has not allowed me to shift at all three times. The dealer kept it three days but said they could not find anything wrong with it. Said I had to bring it in while it was doing it,duh if it's doing it I cant move it. Really disappointed with this push button shifter and disappointed that it cant be fixed.

jerry don on June 17, 2021

The first time I saw this car I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT I think IT IS the best CAR FOR THE MONEY IT HAS EVERTHING IN IT CANT ASK FOR MORE SAFTY FEATURESITS JUST ONE GREAT CAR

Happy driver on June 11, 2021

This SUV is perfect for us. It is comfortable, quiet and fun to drive. It will be great for traveling and has plenty of room for our dog and luggage. The extra storage space is an added bonus!

KCA on June 10, 2021

It has all of the things that one would want in a vehicle. I have not owned it long enough to come up with twenty five words so that is the best I can say at this point.