2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander review

A lot has changed in the automotive world, Hyundais are no longer cheap and cheerful and this big SUV is a prime example why.

Hyundai’s new seven-seat Santa Fe is bigger and roomier than its predecessor, with better fuel economy and more technology. Available as a petrol front-wheel drive or diesel all-wheel drive, the range opens at $49,040 drive-away and climbs to $70,565 on the road for our top-of-the-range Highlander.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Iain: When we were kids, could you imagine a Hyundai for $70,000? And that it looked reasonable value?

The top of the range Santa Fe will set you back about $70,000.

Jules: Those old Excels, Lantras and Sonatas had as much appeal as food poisoning. But this new Santa Fe looks stylish and the interior’s like flying Business Class.

Iain: Our range-topping Highlander has all the goodies. Compare it to entry-level $100K seven seaters from BMW, Mercedes or Audi and there’s serious value to be had.

Jules: I reckon the new Kia Sorento trumps it in the style stakes, though.

Iain: Perhaps, but I like its pretty behind. The reflector strip running between intricate rear light clusters looks sharp.

Jules: It’s chunky with edgy black and silver 20-inch wheels. I’m a proud mum in the school car park.

It’ll fit seven people in comfort.

THE LIVING SPACE

Iain: Wow. All Santa Fes have impressive inclusions, but the Highlander’s loaded.

Jules: I’m never one to complain about Nappa leather – the Santa Fe’s is sumptuous – but in black it lacks flair.

Iain: Easy. For $295 you can have Camel Beige. No-brainer, unless your kids are particularly clumsy and stain everything.

Jules: Kids are truly spoiled here. There’s a panoramic glass sunroof, heated rear seats, 64-colour ambient lighting and Harman Kardon audio so they can sing along to their Disney soundtracks.

Iain: Up front we have power, heated and ventilated memory seats, a heated steering wheel, 10.25-inch infotainment screen, 12.3-inch digital dashboard and auto climate control. Luxury.

Jules: It’s not perfect. The fancy brushed aluminium centre console reflects light so you can’t properly see the countless buttons.

Iain: Agreed. There’s no gear stick, just space-saving buttons to choose gears. Your phone sits vertically in a wireless charging slot – I’m a big fan of that — and a two-tiered centre console has massive storage below.

The inside is fully kitted out with luxe materials and plenty of tech features.

THE COMMUTE

Jules: It’s a big lump to drive, but super smooth. The engine’s a bit gutless.

Iain: I reckon the diesel engine is ideal for daily duties. Plenty of surge from low speed and way more economical than the 3.5-litre V6 petrol version.

Jules: At $3500 cheaper, I’d still prefer a petrol.

Iain: Our bank balance wouldn’t. The V6 returns 10.5L/100km, this diesel does a superb 6.1L/100km.

Jules: We returned 7.1L/100km after 800km of testing in
town and on highway. Still excellent.

Iain: Hyundai’s eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox is quite free of low-speed jerkiness, and my commute was helped with radar cruise control and the windscreen’s head-up display.

Jules: I love how a blind-spot camera view is shown when you indicate, but this car is so full of safety kit it beeps endlessly at everything.

The Santa Fe is safe, too, with all the modern driver aids.

THE SHOPPING

Iain: If you’re using five seats the 571L boot space is huge. Slide the middle seats forward on their runners and its mighty.

Jules: I love the fact you can remote start the engine with the key fob and warm or cool the cabin before getting in. The tailgate lifts when it detects you standing behind it too.

Iain: If you’re really lazy, you can get out and watch it perpendicular park itself while you hold the smart key. Wizardry.

SUNDAY RUN

Jules: So if this one’s all-wheel drive, is it a viable adventuring SUV?

Iain: To a point. The new Santa Fe tows 2500kg and has a tow-ball down weight of 200kg. That’s up from 2000kg and 100kg in the old one.

Jules: What about this Terrain Mode dial?

The Santa Fe can tow up to 2500kg.

Iain: Choose between Snow, Mud or Sand. The computer alters your throttle and traction control to suit. Good for those keen on mild off-roading.

Jules: More relevantly, it feels safe and composed in corners and roundabouts.

THE FAMILY

Iain: There’s no airbag between the driver and front passenger – the Kia Sorento has one – while the curtain airbags don’t stretch to the third row.

Jules: There are no child seat Isofix points
or tethers for third row either. Adults can fit in the rear seats if the middle ones are slid forward, and there are USB points, bottle holders and airconditioning controls back here.

Iain: An electric button moves one of the middle-row seats forward so you can climb into the back.

The turbodiesel engine is strong and grunty.

Jules: Safety kit wise, the Santa Fe stops you pulling out of a junction or reversing out of a parking space if it detects a car coming. It also can hold its position in the middle of a lane, subtly moving the steering wheel for you.

Iain: I love Driver Talk. Speaking at normal volume, the driver’s voice is channelled through speakers for the third-row passengers. Ideal for me putting on my best “This is your captain speaking” impression.

THE VERDICT

Jules: It’s a brilliant family SUV. Stylish, luxurious, safe and versatile. I prefer the Sorento though.

Iain: It’s hard to fault. Better value’s found in less fancy grades, but this Highlander genuinely rivals premium brands.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE HIGHLANDER VITALS

Price: $70,565 drive-away (fully loaded)

Warranty/servicing: 5 years/unl’td km, $2295 for 5 years/75,000km (not cheap)

Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel, 148kW/440Nm (solid)

Safety: 5 Stars, 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, junction turning assist, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control (excellent)

Thirst: 6.1L/100km (Excellent)

Spare: Full size (welcome)

Boot: 571L/1649L (good)

Originally published as 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander review