After being unveiled in June, the 2021 Hyundai Sante Fe now gets Hyundai’s N Performance upgrades in South Korean domestic market.
Related: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift Unveiled
The parts upgrades include a new grille with vertical slats and a revised bumper rendering an even more aggressive face. Copper highlights are there on grille slats, the lower border of the full-width grille and the bumper lip.
Towards the side, there are unique N branded 21-inch wheels and more copper accents. The wheels are paired with Michelin Pilot Sport UHP tires and behind the spokes are red brake calipers with N Performance branding. The largest stock wheels that comes with regular Santa Fe trims is 20-inch, so this is a step up. The upgrade also sports side skirts and roof rails.
At the back there are double rear spoilers, and a new rear bumper made aggressive by a carbon finish rear diffuser. There are four visible tail pipes, carbon caps for the wing mirrors and a bonnet carbon garnish to round up the exterior upgrades.
The interior
Inside, the 2021 Santa Fe’s twin-cowl dashboard is familiar, but the new high center console now sits on a sloping angle. On the floating panel the controls are new and the traditional shifter has been replaced by buttons. For the first time, the Santa Fe comes with a Terrain Mode selector – a control knob for Eco, Sport, Comfort and Smart drive modes, as well as the HTRAC all-wheel-drive system’s sand, snow and mud presets.
Hyundai Santa Fe with N Performance upgrades
The 2021 Santa Fe is not just a cosmetic facelift but is built on a new “Integrated Architecture” with ‘Smartstream’ hybrid and plug-in hybrid options available for the first time. According to Hyundai, the new Santa Fe will be the first Hyundai model in Europe and first Hyundai SUV globally based on the new third-gen vehicle platform, which allows for improvements in performance, handling and safety, as well as facilitating electrified powertrains.
Related: All New Hyundai Tucson Likely to Debut in August 2020
Hyundai says the new platform improves air movement through the engine bay and allows heat to dissipate thus enhancing vehicle stability which is further improved by the lowered position of heavy equipment within the platform. Furthermore the fixed points for the steering arms have been positioned closer to the middle of the front wheels, allowing for more agile handling while NVH levels has also been improved. The 2021 Santa Fe is scheduled to go on sale in September starting from Europe.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
