2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD - Re-Driven Review in Cursive

ART OF WRITTEN DETAILS:  An age of digital has fostered a new, less esoteric meaning of signature. Many school systems across the United States are either adopting or proposing curricula devoid of instruction in cursive. Hearkening to an where the art of refined handwriting was appreciated Korean carmaker Hyundai is adding a finish level superior to their Ultimate line. 

WHY A RE-DRIVE?: With a dollop of mid-cycle refreshing since last toting around in the 4th generation of popular mid-size family crossover SUV, Roadblazing.com wonders whether a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD is as fancy as the most sublime of nuptial announcements.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD Driving Hits:

• New Smartstream family intercooled turbocharged direct injected 2.5L 16V DOHC gas inline-4 cylinder engine

• 277 horsepower, 311 lb-ft of torque swings in at low 3500 rpm
• +42 hp, +51 lb-ft vs. 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T Ultimate
• New 8-speed automatic dual clutch helical transaxle
• (optional) wet multi-clutch differential all-wheel drive
• Impressively brisk acceleration
• 23 miles per gallon, combined driving
• 520 miles fuel tank range
• Compliant road composure
• Near luxury cabin isolation from road

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD Driving Misses:

• Push button center stack transmission selector
• Nose heavy 4000+ pounds
• Hints of understeer fairly early into power band
• Seeking out more road to steering feel
• Transaxle Seeks highest possible gear
• All-season highway tires lack all-terrain capability

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD What It Has Got:

• From $28,185 (incl. destination) for a front-drive 8-speed planetary automatic 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 2.5 . The tested top trim 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD w/ 8-speed dual-clutch transmission = $43,635
• Calligraphy replaces Ultimate at top of Santa Fe trim pecking order
• Mid size family crossover utility vehicle
• More premium sport sedan emulating styling
  • Fully widened molten metal grille w/ LED headlamps split by tandem vertical DRLs lowered to grille edges
  • Mirrored chrome lower body crease accent band
  • Lower arms of lateral boomerang taillamps lengthened
  • Rear bumper cover reflectors revised as thin bands
  • 19" wheels

• Solid build
• Thicker pile carpeting
• Optimal balance between tall road clearance & occupant ingress
• 2nd Row door privacy glass tint
• Wide seat spacing
• Space saving floating center stack

• Swallows sizable cargo
• 60/40% split nearly flat folding 2nd Row seat backs

• Needs little explanation settings & media menus
• Above par standard feature set
  • Heated mirrors, front seats, headlamp washers
  • Keyless comfort entry, ignition
  • Cruise control
  • Power windows full express x 4
  • Bluetooth wireless communications and music stream
  • 8.0"-inch touch LCD infotainment display
  • 6 speaker audio
  • Inductive wireless device charging (SEL trim and up)
  • Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone projection (SEL trim and up)
  • Wi-Fi
• Good safety features & grades
  • IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick
• Comprehensive driver assistance suite
  • Forward Collision avoidance w/ pedestrian & cyclist detection braking, blind spot & rear cross traffic warning
    • Available adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, park distance warning, surround camera, and auto high beams, adjacent Lane Watch video in gauge cluster, sonar rear occupant / parcel minder on exit & via BlueLink app (on higher trims)
• 5 year / 60,000 miles bumper to bumper, 10 year / 100,000 miles powertrain warranties

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):

• No 3rd Row option
• No CD /  DVD media player 
• Calligraphy trim silver faced TFT instrument cluster gauge markings faint
• No included maintenance
• Long powertrain warranty halves upon resale

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T Calligraphy AWD Almost Bespoke Feature(s):

• Eco Suede headliner
• 12.3" -inch TFT twin gauge instrument cluster w/ lane watch cameras

• 10.25" -inch touch LCD cloud navigation split-pane infotainment display
• Panorama tilt and slide power moonroof
• Night cabin accent illumination
• Harman Kardon 12-speaker 630 watt DSP premium audio
• Quilted leather seats, heated & cooled front, driver's 2 position memory

• Heated leather steering wheel; 2nd Row outboard seats and
• Power folding side mirrors
• 2nd Row door sunshades
• Approach activated 2-speed power liftgate
• Power remote cargo bay 2nd Row seatback releases
• Heads Up Display (HUD)
• Surround view park camera
• Brushed metallic switches & accents

ROADBLAZING.COM's SUMMATION:

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T AWD Calligraphy = Extra elegant touches inside and out plus a detuned Hyundai N powertrain appeal to the more discerning family SUV shopper who insists on value.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD - Bottom Line Review

(Contributing Editor: Susan Frissell) LIVABILITY = (eng.) “The suitability for living in measured in habitability and comfort.” America’s oldest continually inhabited state capital has taken a stand against sprawl and in favor of Livability. A slightly more comfortable higher plateau elevation, strict urban planning restrictions, the Pueblo architecture and art all

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton