2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Review: Efficiency Over Everything

The judgment: Hyundai's new 2021 Santa Fe Hybrid has a softer feel than the updated petrol-only version - especially compared to this vehicle's new turbocharged powertrain - but it's a welcome, fuel-efficient addition to the Santa Fe lineup.

Against the competition: The Santa Fe Hybrid is a compelling choice in a growing field of larger, more fuel-efficient SUVs, but the lack of a third row or a more luxurious Calligraphy trim level can hold it back.

In its previous incarnation, the Hyundai Santa Fe won our midsize SUV comparison despite its lackluster powertrain. When the South Korean automaker announced updates to the Santa Fe for the 2021 model year, we were excited to see a new turbocharged four-cylinder option that brought significantly more power and torque. But we might have been just as excited about the promise of new hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions for buyers looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient SUV.

I have already reviewed the new conventional Santa Fe in its also new Calligraphy trim level for 2021 with this new turbocharged four pot; Now it's time to do the same for the new 2021 Santa Fe Hybrid. (We're still waiting for the plug-in hybrid version to debut as a 2022 model.)

Related: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Review: The rich get richer

The Santa Fe Hybrid faces competition from its cousin, the Kia Sorento Hybrid, and two hybrid SUVs from Toyota: the Highlander Hybrid and the Venza, which has been revived in pure hybrid form. The Venza is possibly the Santa Fe Hybrid's closest competitor, as both it and the Santa Fe are strictly two-row vehicles. The Sorento and Highlander hybrids have three rows of seats. Compare them.

You can read my review of the updated Santa Fe in the link above; This review primarily focuses on what is different about the driving experience of the Santa Fe Hybrid.

Well, how is it driving?

The 2021 Santa Fe Calligraphy I drove featured a 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This Santa Fe impressed with its sharpness and almost sportiness, but the Santa Fe Hybrid...well, it's hard to be impressed by composure, isn't it? And that's what you get: a no-frills, no-frills driving experience.

Instead of almost 300 hp, the Santa Fe Hybrid with its 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo engine, the 59 hp electric motor and the 1.49 kilowatt hour battery pack delivers 226 system hp. Where the gasoline Santa Fe uses either an eight-speed automatic transmission or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, the hybrid uses a six-speed automatic. The hybrid also comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the gas version comes standard with front-wheel drive.

The hybrid won't deliver impressive acceleration performance, but it won't frustrate either. Acceleration is snappy enough, and unlike the smaller Tucson Hybrid, there's not much hesitation when you step on the gas hard. It doesn't have much power to give, but what the Santa Fe Hybrid has, it gives readily.

Some hybrids have issues with awkward braking response, but I didn't notice any significant difference between the Santa Fe Hybrid and the throttle-only version. Pedal feel in the Hybrid is a bit spongiform, but its regenerative brakes didn't dampen my driving experience.

Neither is the lack of a purely electric driving mode. These modes are usually very limited in conventional hybrids anyway, offering minimal fuel-free driving. The Santa Fe Hybrid has more traditional drive modes, though mostly they just adjust throttle response: Eco makes things sluggish and Sport slightly sharpens things, but neither makes much of a difference.

I couldn't take the Santa Fe Hybrid on a long family trip like the Sorento Hybrid, but driving in and around Chicago I saw fuel economy numbers in the low 30s - impressive for an SUV the size of the Santa Fe. The EPA evaluated the Santa Fe Hybrid at 36/31/34 mpg city/highway/combined in its less-equipped blue version, 33/30/32 mpg in better-equipped (and therefore heavier) trims. That's behind the Venza's 40/37/39 mpg rating, but the Santa Fe is bigger, more powerful and significantly roomier than that car -- and a few hundred pounds heavier. The gasoline-only Santa Fe only managed a maximum rating of 25/28/26 mpg.

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