The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is a ‘tweener, straddling the midsize and compact crossover segments, however, its footprint gives the PHEV an advantage over the smaller plug-in bunch Hyundai considers the competitive set. Hyundai expects it to compete mainly with a quartet of smaller compact crossover PHEVs from other non-luxury brands the aforementioned Outlander, Ford’s Escape PHEV, Toyota’s RAV4 Prime and Subaru’s smaller Crosstrek Hybrid. It’s categorized as a midsize but is smaller than most others in the class. The Santa Fe provided the real estate necessary to add a powerful electric motor and a fairly large and heavy 13.9 kilowatt-hour battery pack to an all-wheel drive model. To remain competitive-and perhaps set the stage for going all-electric–Hyundai needed a plug-in hybrid. The PHEV’s battery is recharged from the power grid (thus “plug-in”) and gives the vehicle the ability to travel substantial distances at highway speeds in all-electric mode. As more automakers adopt electrification as a market strategy, a number of plug-in hybrids have appeared in the U.S., starting with Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV in 2018.Ī plug-in hybrid differs from a hybrid because it typically has a much larger battery and sometimes a more powerful electric motor. The Santa Fe is one of Hyundai’s best-selling models and is critical to the company’s success in the growing crossover segment. PHEV buyers should prioritize fuel efficiency and electric-only range as much as cargo space and head and legroom, and the Santa Fe PHEV’s figures in those areas are mid-range. Outside, the freshened 2021 Santa Fe features restyled front and rear fascia, a new grille and new lighting. The only differentiation between the two electrified models is the badging and the addition of a second “filler door” on the plug-in to hide its charge port. Both the hybrid and PHEV are new powertrain variants, but the packaging is familiar. The 2021 Santa Fe lineup is a continuation of a design introduced in 2018 and updated for the 2021 model year. In either system, the gas engine delivers 177 horsepower with the electric motor adding the rest. The standard hybrid delivers a peak 226 horsepower while the PHEV system churns out 260. Hyundai More PowerĪdding electric motor power to its 1.6-liter turbocharged gas engine gives both hybrid types more horsepower than the gas-only lower trims’ 191 horsepower. Hyundai’s AWD-hybrid system is complex (as is Subaru‘s) and is likely to cost more than well-equipped hybrids (which are more than gas models). The PHEV’s price point could also run several thousand above comparable hybrid trims. Hyundai’s AWD-hybrid powertrains are more complex than the gas-only versions, so expect the hybrid variants to run several thousand dollars above similarly equipped internal combustion Santa Fe trims. The extra power to the rear wheels helps improve hill climbing and traction on loose surfaces. That’s different than a 20% to 30% rear power shift in the electric AWD systems used by most PHEVs. Hyundai’s mechanical system can shift as much as half the available power to the rear wheels. The Korean automaker hasn’t yet released pricing for either the hybrid or PHEV Santa Fe models, the first of its SUVs to receive gas-electric hybrid systems.īoth also get standard all-wheel drive. In March the standard hybrid goes on sale in all 50 states. Hyundai dealers in other states can, at their option, order Santa Fe PHEVs for customers. These include, in addition to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. The plug-in Santa Fe follows the new 2021 Santa Fe Hybrid to market by about four months and will initially be sold only states that have adopted California’s stringent emissions standards. It will add another choice to the market for consumers seeking a non-luxury utility vehicle that combines a decent amount of all-electric range with the freedom of a highly efficient gas-electric powertrain. Hyundai Motor Co.’s first plug-in hybrid crossover, the 2021 Santa Fe PHEV, is slated to hit dealer showrooms in mid-July. The 2021 Santa FE Hybrid and Plug-In hybrid will launch in early spring and summer, respectively.
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