Hyundai Santa Fe diesel 2021 review | best seven-seat family SUV for $50k? | Chasing Cars

We test the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 diesel AWD and see what this large SUV is like to drive.

The updated Hyundai Santa Fe is more comfortable and settled on the road than before – and there is a new base model – the artist simply known as Santa Fe. Chubs, small wheels, cladding, cloth seats … and wireless CarPlay. It is also under $50,000 driveaway – so do you get value for money here?

The Santa Fe can be had with a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and front-wheel-drive or a $3,500 optional 2.2-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder with AWD. The diesel now gets a new eight-speed dual clutch automatic but that’s okay, because it’s a good DCT.

Rivals to the Hyundai Santa Fe include the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-8, Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and the Toyota Kluger.

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Time codes:

0:00 - What is the Hyundai Santa Fe?
1:43 - Interior
5:25 - Back seats
7:09 - Third row
8:47 - Design
9:06 - Boot
10:41 - Running costs
11:50 - How does the Santa Fe diesel AWD drive?
21:07 - Hyundai Santa Fe verdict

[defjam]

Loving the base model reviews, Tom. Very refreshing!

[dev]

People should stop hating on smaller wheels and chunkier rubbers. They, in fact, are the most sensible and comfortable options that one may have in a vehicle.

[jaredebeling]

Great review as always. 7:19 Watch out for the spit when saying Pallisade. 🤣🤣

[marcpacey]

For a base model it seems to be pretty good . Great informative review.

[acde]

A handy and affordable family SUV for most Australian new families. Good! I like it.

[mytriplef]

An SUV with decent look and exciting elements inside out. Good price per practicality but hopefully no more previous engine drawbacks.

[kevinlee]

6:46 i was pretty shocked with the quality of material they used on rear seat door trims new toyota klugar.

[billybob]

11:50 "how does the 1.6T Tucson AWD drive?" LOL

[malcolmscott]

Makes much more sense than higher grade Tucson but for looks I prefer the Sorento in base diesel form 👍 great review Tom

[gene]

our 2019 Santa Fe’ must be tuned different in the US compared to AUS. The ride is Quiet and Very Smooth. I almost bought one for myself due to it being quieter than my 2017 Luxury GM car and I thought that was quiet and smooth.

[AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

While watching 7 seater vids the Brady Bunch theme plays in my head.

[arshedsalman]

Hi Tom,
We are planning to buy Hyundai but confused between Tuscon and Santa Fe. Our budget is 50k. Santa Fe has more seats in the base model but the interior is all simple despite being so pricey. And in the same price, Tuscon comes in elite or highlander model but only 5 seats. We like the extetior of both the cars so both are good for us. We are a family of 5 but looking at the interior of Santa Fe base model really disappoints us. Which one should we go for? Thanks.

[cmp]

Looks good....agree on the regular shifter. I like proper air con dials....and I prefer analogue dials. If I was in the hunt for a 7 seater, this would be in the it should be anyway. A good vehicle for my upcoming LSL 😉

[canusdominici]

Smaller wheels with chunky rubber are great for gravel roads.

[dalestarick]

The Poverty Pak is kinda dead these days?

[philipc]

I think cloth seats are fine just use seat cover or smthg to cover the seats when carrying kids

[Ash_Simo]

I think the drive aspect of your reviews need an acceleration test.

[ernest]

Hi Tom please review the Mercedes Benz V class.

[mellenix]

Would be awesome if you could do a CX-8, Tiguan, Kodiaq, Santa Fe and Sorento model comparison, but in the meantime, Tom what would be your pick of this bunch?

[jurassicgodzilla]

Please can you recommend between cx8 diesel/Santa fe and cx9 sport base models please. I am a bit confused among these three. Any help would be much appreciated