2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Ford Edge

Styling of the 2021 Ford Edge had not changed significantly since its 2019 refresh, which successfully aligned its exterior with Ford's more recent designs. This refresh made the Edge a more refined option compared to the more elaborate styling of the Chevy Blazer or Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium model exuded high-level status with additional chrome accents, while the ST trim flaunted a sporty blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and an aggressive body kit. Ford also provided an ST-Line trim with similar exterior features as the ST trim but without the performance enhancements and elevated cost.

However, the Edge's interior revealed its age. Over the years, its design had been compromised to incorporate new features, such as a larger touchscreen, leaving the overall interior less cohesive and modern than its exterior. Titanium models boasted leather upholstery, whereas the ST models sported more bolstered front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, both featuring contrast stitching to highlight a sportier aesthetic.

Conversely, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe managed to surprise with a perceived value that appeared to exceed its price tag. With new gasoline engine options and a hybrid powertrain, its lineup included trims like the SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy for gas models, and Blue, SEL Premium, and Limited for hybrids. Prices varied from $26,850 to $39,950 MSRP. The Santa Fe was crafted in Alabama for conventional versions, while hybrids were imported from South Korea. A plug-in hybrid was anticipated for the 2022 model year.

Stylistically, the Santa Fe showcased a revamped front end with fresh running lights, an entirely reworked grille, and a new bumper. Each trim featured distinct combinations of wheels, grilles, and headlights, providing unique character to every variant. Inside, the Santa Fe moved upmarket with new colors, patterns, and textures, and a sophisticated bridge-style center console housing modern electronic transmission controls and climate settings. Available 12.3-inch digital instrumentation further enhanced its high-tech appeal.

With features like Stormy Sea paint, 19-inch wheels, Black premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and added tech sophistication, the Santa Fe Calligraphy model represented an extraordinary deal at $43,590. Its interior offered superior quality, refined materials, and precisely designed controls. However, the exterior design, characterized by “parametric dynamics,” remained an acquired taste with its somewhat disjointed body proportions.

Most 2021 Ford Edge models were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The performance-oriented Edge ST featured a potent EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel. The ST included standard all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and performance-specific suspension tuning. An optional package enhanced the ST with upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels equipped with summer tires.

Though initially met with skepticism when introduced, the Edge ST demonstrated that it was more than a mere marketing ploy, aspiring to compete with the driving dynamics of potential heavyweights like the Porsche Macan. Even though that might be a stretch for some, the Edge ST established itself as a competent performance SUV amidst less dynamic competitors. While refined, the Edge's turbo-four engine in non-ST models felt somewhat underwhelming.

When it came to towing, the Edge offered varied capacities: 3,958 pounds for the base FWD, 4,122 pounds for AWD four-cylinder models, and 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered Edge ST. Yet, rivals like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport notably led the segment with 5,000-pound towing capacities.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came standard with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid models, on the other hand, featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, producing a combined output of 226 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of immediate torque from the electric motor.

The Limited and Calligraphy trims boasted a robust turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine shared with the Hyundai Sonata N Line sedan. This engine delivered an impressive 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, utilizing an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission for smooth and rapid shifts. The driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter prioritizing fuel efficiency but showing reluctance to downshift as expected.

The Santa Fe displayed improved driving dynamics for 2021, with added structural rigidity, enhanced braking, and a refined ride quality. The turbocharged engine provided remarkable acceleration and maintained fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined, matching the standard engine’s ratings. During testing, it averaged 22.4 mpg in Smart mode, highlighting its balanced performance and efficiency.

The 2021 Ford Edge excelled in interior space, particularly with its class-leading rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers. It offered generous legroom in both front and rear seats, second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe in this segment. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control ensured a comfortable cabin environment.

Cargo capacity in the Edge was substantial, offering 39.2 cubic feet with rear seats upright and expanding to 73.4 cubic feet when folded. This capacity ranked just behind the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Higher trim levels boasted a foot-activated power liftgate for added convenience. Despite the goal of freeing up space, the rotary shift knob in the center console presented only an average storage capacity due to its narrow width. Though a storage nook was available beneath the elevated console, its inconvenient placement meant it might be easily overlooked.

In comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe provided comprehensive comfort and versatility for those who didn't need a third-row seat. It featured standard dual-zone automatic climate control with Clean Air ionization across all trims, with stain-resistant fabric seats available in lower trims, and leather in SEL and higher. The Calligraphy trim elevated luxury with a suede-like headliner and high-quality Nappa leather, mirroring premium interiors.

Comfort was paramount in the Santa Fe, offering an eight-way power driver’s seat and an optional eight-way power front passenger seat from SEL trim upwards. Higher trims also included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, all controllable remotely via a smartphone app.

Rear seat passengers enjoyed substantial space and features such as air-conditioning vents, USB ports, a power outlet, and rear side-window sunshades. The rear bench could slide to adjust cargo space as needed.

With a cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet with the seats up and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats down, the Santa Fe’s capacity was comparable to large compact crossovers, though smaller than the Ford Edge. Hyundai's smart hands-free power liftgate was convenient but occasionally opened unintentionally, such as during car washing.

For 2021, the Ford Edge integrated modern tech with its latest Sync 4 infotainment system featuring a 12-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Additional standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L (three-month free trial), and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST benefited from a premium 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

While drivers enjoyed wireless smartphone connectivity, the Edge also offered four USB ports, including newly added rear USB-C ports for 2021. Though the Sync 4 system was yet to be tested in the Edge, previous experiences with Sync 4 in other Ford models were largely positive, thanks to its simple graphics and user-friendly menu layouts. It’s noteworthy that not all competitors provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making the Edge a standout in this space.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy, at the top of the trim hierarchy, came loaded with advanced technology. Notable features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a clear surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display (HUD) offering comprehensive data, such as blind-spot warnings.

While the basic 8-inch touchscreen infotainment offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the larger 10.25-inch screen required wired connections but included upgraded voice-recognition and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The top-tier system also featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system with Clari-Fi music restoration.

Blue Link, Hyundai's connected service platform, was standard for three years and included features like automatic emergency assistance, car-finding, and various alerts for vehicle speed, curfew, and geofencing. Remote engine start and climate control adjustments ensured comfort before driving.

However, the Santa Fe lacked a WiFi hotspot, although many find smartphone data plans sufficient. Hyundai’s Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist added unique functionality, allowing an Android smartphone to unlock, start, and relock the vehicle. Remote Smart Parking Assist enabled the SUV to driverlessly maneuver into tight spots using the keyfob as a remote.

The 2021 Ford Edge received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” designation, scoring “Good” in all crash tests and “Superior” for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. However, it attained an “Advanced” rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian prevention, and “Acceptable” to “Poor” headlight ratings based on trim. NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover testing.

Ford’s standard Co-Pilot360 safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all trims except the base SE, providing substantial safety support.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe's safety technology stood out for its abundance and advanced features. Beyond common driving-assistance systems, Calligraphy trim offered forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and “junction turning” assistance, ensuring comprehensive collision prevention.

Safe Exit Assist utilized blind-spot sensors to warn occupants against unsafe door opening and could override action using child-safe locks. The rear-occupant alert system protected against leaving children unattended by detecting movement for up to 24 hours.

Blind-Spot View Monitor supplemented traditional blind-spot monitoring with camera views in the digital cluster. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous lane-centering.

The Santa Fe earned an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” designation, but only with LED projector headlights from Limited and Calligraphy trims, demonstrating superior crashworthiness and front crash-prevention performance.