The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has finally arrived. Showcasing a major facelift, an all-new cabin, more cargo space, an upgraded safety technology, new powertrain options, and a new hybrid model, it’s a little surprising customers are thinking the vehicle needs more. In particular, a third-row of seats.
For the coming model year, Hyundai surprised everyone when it unveiled the Santa Fe with only two rows, effectively closing its doors on the “Santa Fe XL.” In a recent call with members of the media, Hyundai shared the reason behind the decision.
“This is something that we studied quite a bit,” shared Trevor Lai, Product Manager for the Hyundai Santa Fe. “The research we have done showed that our buyers would be at a disservice by having a third-row seat. It does not provide enough legroom for any sense of satisfaction.”
Lai also offered a solution for buyers who are hell-bent on getting a third row for their vehicles.
“For that proper three-row experience, we do have our popular Hyundai Palisade. That provides significantly more room not only in the third row but also for cargo, especially with the third-row deployed. It’s a no-compromise three-row from Hyundai,” he said.
However, going up to the Palisade’s level also means spending more. Compared to the Santa Fe’s entry-level price of $28,025, the base Palisade costs $32,525. At the same time, a Palisade is not exactly a small or mid-size option. Fortunately for customers loyal to the Hyundai Motor Group, sub-brand Kia presents a workaround.
“We noticed our sister company doing a third-row option,” Lai said, referring to the Kia Sorento. This model is the smaller counterpart of the Telluride and it comes with a seven-seating capacity for a retail price of $29,390.
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