What is the Difference between the 2021 Santa Fe and 2019 Santa Fe XL?

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe is a rugged and spacious midsize SUV with seating for five. This year’s model has been significantly redesigned inside and out, and it offers a revised engine lineup. A new top-of-the-range Calligraphy trim level joins the SE, SEL, and Limited models.

In 2019, Hyundai also began offering the option of the three-row Santa Fe XL that could seat up to seven passengers. I was available in SE and Limited Ultimate trim levels. The Santa Fe XL was discontinued in 2020, but if you prefer the larger model, you can still find it for sale pre-owned.

But how does the Santa Fe XL compare to the new Santa Fe? Here we’ll take a look at the size, trims, technology, and specifications of both models.

2019 Santa Fe XL

The Santa Fe XL has Hyundai’s signature styling and combines rugged features with elegant design. The SE sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and offers a chrome grille, LED daytime running lights, a rear spoiler, and a chrome-tipped exhaust. The Limited Ultimate trim adds LED fog lights, 19-inch wheels, and a hands-free power liftgate.

Powering both trims is a 3.3-liter V6 engine that makes 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission transfers power to the front wheels or the optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. It offers a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

In the spacious cabin, you’ll find 13.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the 50/50 split-folding third-row seats. With the third row folded down, you get a generous 40.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, while folding both rows gives you a cavernous 80 cubic feet.

The SE features easy-to-clean stain-resistant cloth upholstery, a power driver’s seat, a 40/20/40-split folding and reclining second-row bench, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a tilt and telescoping steering column. With the Limited Ultimate, you get leather upholstery, driver’s seat and door mirror memory functions, a power passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs. You’ll also find keyless entry and start, a leather-bound heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a 115-volt power outlet.

With the SE’s infotainment system, you get a 7-inch touch screen, smartphone integration, Bluetooth, Hyundai Bluelink communications, and six-speaker audio with satellite radio. The Limited Ultimate adds an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, and a premium 12-speaker sound system.

The Santa Fe XL helps keep you safe on the road with electronic stability control, traction control, and a four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist. The SE offered the option of the SE Premium package that includes blind-spot collision avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic warning. The Limited Ultimate features rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. When equipped with the Tech Package, it adds adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and high-intensity headlights with automatic high beam control.

2021 Santa Fe

The new Santa Fe has updated styling with a bolder and more aggressive front-end design. The SE and SEL feature LED headlights, distinctive T-shaped daytime running lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. With the Limited trim, you get 19-inch wheels, power-folding mirrors, LED taillights, and a hands-free liftgate. The Calligraphy trim adds dark chrome accents and 20-inch wheels.

Under the hood of SE and SEL trims is a refined 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 191 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. It’s matched with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Limited and Calligraphy trims feature a punchy 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It delivers 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque via a dual-clutch eight-speed auto.

SE, SEL, and Limited trims come standard with front-wheel drive and the option of the AWD system that is standard on the Calligraphy trim. The base engine gives you a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. With the turbo engine, you can haul up to 3,500 pounds.

With a full complement of five passengers, the Santa Fe gives you 36.4 cubic feet of space for your gear. With the second-row seats folded, you get a 72.1-cubic-foot cargo area with an underfloor storage tray.

The SE trim features stain-resistant fabric seating, 60/40-split folding and reclining rear seats, air conditioning, and a tilting and telescoping steering column. Go with the SEL for proximity key entry, push-button start, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats.

Stepping up to the Limited trim gets you added comfort with leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory, a driver’s seat leg cushion extension, a power-adjustable passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. Interior features include power-release second-row seats, LED lighting, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The range-topping Calligraphy trim offers quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a simulated suede headliner, and ambient lighting.

SE and SEL trim feature a 4.2-inch driver information center. The standard infotainment system includes an 8-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, Bluetooth, and rear seat quiet mode. The SEL adds wireless device charging, Bluelink Connected Car Services, and an audio system with HD radio.

The Limited trim features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touch screen, and navigation. You also get a premium Harman Kardon 12-speaker surround-sound audio system for concert-hall-quality music. The Calligraphy gives you a head-up display that projects vehicle information onto the windshield.

In addition to the vehicle stability system, the Santa Fe also comes standard with Hyundai SmartSense. This suite of driver assistance technologies includes driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, smart cruise control with stop and go, and forward collision avoidance assists with a pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection.

The SEL adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, and safe exit assist. The Limited and Calligraphy trims offer front and rear parking assist, remote smart parking assist, and a surround-view monitor.

The Santa Fe and Santa Fe XL are beautifully equipped and ready for your adventures, wherever they may take you. Contact us at Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth today to arrange a test drive of the 2021 Santa Fe. If you’re interested in a 2019 Santa Fe XL, check our extensive used car inventory. If we don’t have the car you want, our friendly sales team will help you to find it.