2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

In 2021, the Ford Explorer presented a familiar, yet sophisticated visage on the roads. Ford, with its lineup of SUVs, adhered to a stylistic consistency across models, from the compact Escape to the massive Expedition. The Explorer stood out with its sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive squinting headlights, which made it challenging at a glance to differentiate it from the Edge. Despite this close resemblance within the Ford family, the Explorer retained a unique appeal compared to other brands, owing to its clean design and assertive stance.

The exterior aesthetics varied significantly depending on the trim. Buyers could choose from trims such as the base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, and Platinum, each offering a different grille finish - from understated black to opulent full chrome. This diversity in trim levels not only influenced the look but also the price, ranging from $32,925 to $52,730.

Inside, the Explorer furnished all trims with three rows of seats, accommodating up to seven passengers in the base model. The base trim featured cloth upholstery, though higher trim levels boasted more luxurious materials. XLT trims and above benefited from more premium finishes, like a power front passenger seat and leather upholstery starting from the Limited trim. The dashboard exhibited a clean design, highlighted by a standard 8-inch LCD touchscreen, surrounded by user-friendly buttons and knobs for audio and climate control. Additionally, the rotary gearshift in the center console maximized storage space, adding to the practicality and style of the interior.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, in contrast, managed to exceed expectations concerning value for money. With starting prices from $26,850 and climbing to $39,950, the Santa Fe offered a lot for its price. The vehicle introduced a new front-end design, complete with fresh running lights, an updated grille, and redesigned bumper, achieving a more refined and upscale look.

Inside, the Santa Fe elevated its interior with new color schemes, patterns, and textures. The new center console design featured innovative storage solutions and housed the electronic transmission controls, climate settings, and stereo controls. Available amenities such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster further enhanced the interior's modern feel.

Our Calligraphy trim test vehicle, priced at $43,590 with options, reflected an outstanding value. The Stormy Sea paint, AWD, 19-inch wheels, and premium leather interior oozed quality. The Calligraphy's panoramic sunroof added a luxurious touch, making the Santa Fe feel like a high-end SUV at a mid-range price.

At its lightest, the 2021 Ford Explorer weighed in at 4,345 pounds. Despite this, its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine performed admirably, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant outpaced competitors such as the Kia Telluride's V6. Higher trims like the Limited Hybrid offered a hybrid drivetrain producing 310 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque.

Significant power boosts came with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine found in higher trims, while the sport-oriented ST trim pushed boundaries with a robust 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. However, towing capabilities stood out more than driving dynamics, with the Explorer capable of hauling between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe introduced three new powertrains. SE and SEL trims came standard with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid models combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with electric motors to deliver a total output of 226 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.

For those seeking more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing an impressive 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission, provided swift and precise shifts. With driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Smart, the Santa Fe adapted well to varying driving conditions, and both powertrains achieved a commendable 24 mpg combined fuel economy.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's interior was designed for flexibility and convenience. Featuring a standard three-row seating arrangement, it accommodated up to seven passengers in its base trim, while higher trims with captain’s chairs reduced the capacity to six. Second-row legroom measured 39 inches, comparable to vehicles like the Mazda CX-9 and slightly behind competitors such as the Kia Telluride.

Even with the third row in use, the Explorer's cargo space was a respectable 21 cubic feet. However, folding the rear seats down expanded the cargo volume to 81 cubic feet, which was less competitive, aligning it with smaller SUVs like the Dodge Journey.

In comparison, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, a two-row midsize SUV, offered ample interior space without the need for a third row. The Calligraphy trim presented an upgraded interior with suede-like headliners and premium Nappa leather upholstery. Comfort-focused amenities included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sliding rear bench seat to maximize cargo space.

Cargo capacity in the Santa Fe was somewhat less than the Explorer, with 36.4 cubic feet available behind the second row and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite this, the ergonomic design and practical features, such as air-conditioning vents, quick-charge USB ports, and a power outlet in the rear, made it well-suited for families.

Technology was a strong suit in the 2021 Ford Explorer. Even the base model came with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G WiFi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio setup. Higher trims offered upgrades such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system with as many as 14 speakers.

Charging options included multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points. The Limited trim and above also featured a wireless charging pad, further enhancing the convenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy trim stood out with its tech-laden interior. It boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display. The entry-level 8-inch touchscreen provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch variant required wired connections but offered enhanced voice recognition and Blue Link connected services.

Blue Link's three-year complimentary subscription came with a host of functionalities, including remote engine start and climate control adjustments. While the Santa Fe lacked a WiFi hotspot, it did provide Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist technology, adding unique convenience features for tech-savvy consumers.

The Ford Explorer excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It scored top marks in all crash tests and offered a plethora of active safety features through the standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. This included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Higher trims also provided additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The Hyundai Santa Fe also garnered high safety accolades, securing a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights. The Calligraphy trim came with advanced features such as forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist and rear-occupant alert systems ensured the safety of all passengers, particularly children. The Blind-Spot View Monitor added an extra layer of visibility during lane changes, and Highway Driving Assist offered a refined semi-autonomous driving experience.