The refreshed 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe was revealed back in November of 2020, lending a fresh face and some other upgrades to the Ford Edge competitor. The new Santa Fe arrived riding on a new platform, with a brand new exterior and interior design, yet carried over a few parts from the 2020 model, keeping it from being labeled as an all-new model. Regardless, Ford Authority spies recently captured FoMoCo benchmarking a pre-facelift Hyundai Santa Fe, which is interesting for a number of reasons.
This Santa Fe is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L engine that is rated to produce 235 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which is a touch less than the Edge’s 2.0L EcoBoost I-4, which makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, so it’s possible Ford wanted to get a closer look at this powerplant, as well as the crossover’s 8-speed transmission. As for the 2021 Santa Fe, three powertrains are available – a 2.5L I-4 that produces 191 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5L turbocharged I-4 good for 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.6L turbocharged I-4 hybrid that makes 225 horsepower.
Sales Numbers - Ford Edge vs. Hyundai Santa Fe - Q4 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q4 21 / Q4 20 | Q4 21 | Q4 20 | Q4 21 SHARE | Q4 20 SHARE | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EDGE | -5.46% | 30,274 | 32,024 | 57% | 51% | -21.73% | 85,225 | 108,886 |
| HYUNDAI SANTA FE | -26.11% | 22,415 | 30,337 | 43% | 49% | +11.23% | 112,071 | 100,757 |
| TOTAL | -15.51% | 52,689 | 62,361 | -5.89% | 197,296 | 209,643 |
While the Edge outsold the Santa Fe in 2020 by a grand total of 8,129 units, Hyundai’s crossover managed to “edge” out Ford’s crossover in 2021 by moving 112,071 units versus just 85,225. The Santa Fe enjoyed a 11.23 percent year-over-year increase as a result, while Edge sales declined by 21.73 percent. It’s unclear how much supply constraints affected either model, but as Ford Authority reported earlier this month, the Edge will be discontinued in North America following the 2023 model year.
Regardless, the Edge received some styling tweaks and new tech features for the 2021 model year, while a host of changes have taken place on the 2022 model as well. As Ford Authority reported back in August, the crossover has dropped its front-wheel drive configuration and will only be available with all-wheel drive for the 2022 model year. As a result, pricing for the crossover has risen roughly $2,000 across the board. The Black Appearance Package is new for 2022, as is the SEL Adventure Package, though the latter received a name change to Sport Appearance Package shortly after its launch.
The 2022 Edge is losing its illuminated glovebox, as Ford Authority reported back in August, while the ST will drop its Ford Performance paint color option in favor of Atlas Blue, and the SEL is losing the SecuriCode Keyless Entry Keypad as standard equipment, while all 2022 Edge models have dropped the previously standard rear parking sensors, too.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
“CAUGHT” benchmarking!!?? What are you talking about!!?? They were benchmarking which in my opinion is a very smart thing to do. To beat the competition you have to know what the competition may be doing better.
fjdietz: Absolutely! Every manufacture, automotive, or not, buys multiple models of the merchandise that a competitor offers to the public, tests it and tears it down and goes over the product with a fine tooth comb to see how it’s made and how it performs versus their product. So Ford division likely has competitive models GM, Stellantis, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai, etc., that compete with Ford’s various models. Lincoln, too, will have models from Acura, Infinity, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, as well as Buick and Cadillac to compare against its offerings. Engineers, will get to drive those vehicles for weeks at a time to get driving impressions, as well as fit and finish, all in hopes of their products more competitive to the buying public.
I agree. The contrived “gotcha” is wearing thin.
Hyundai Santa Fe way better suv.
OMG it’s like sooo better. How do troll?
This is an enthusiasts site. We don’t need catchy headlines. Just report the Ford news please.
Whether Ford bought a Hyundai or not, check out the 2 vehicles for yourself. I have never bought a foreign built car before and I used to joke about Hyundai but once I test drove the 2022 Sante Fe against the Equinox, Edge, Pilot, Rav4 and the CRV. I purchased a totally loaded Sante Fe Caligraphy for less and we absolutely love everything about it. Sorry Ford, I’ll check you out again in 5 years or more!