[Bob999]

So we just bought our first Hyundai and I can’t figure out how to disable the smart cruise control and just use regular old cruise control. Every other car I have ever owned that had smart or adaptive cruise control had a way to opt out of using it. I’ve tried every button on the console. What am I missing?!

I don't think you are missing anything. But why do you care?
You can of course "opt out" by simply not activating the system but I see no advantage to the traditional cruise control function over SCC.

 

[Bob999]

It's in the manual. You have to hold down the distance button for a few seconds. Then in the instrument panel, you will see a label where you can toggle between Smart and Regular CC.

Poster has a 2021 Santa Fe. I don't think you will find it in the 2021 manual.

 

[Bob999]

It's on Page 7-56:


If your vehicle is equipped with Manual Speed Limit Assist, press and hold the Driving Assist button to turn off Smart Cruise Control. However, Manual Speed Limit Assist will turn on.

I can find no definition of "Manual Speed Limit Assist" in the 2021 Santa Fe Manual. The only use of that term in the entire manual appears on Page 7-56. When I did a search for the term online I found a KIA YouTube video showing the operation of "Manual Speed Limit Assist" on a particular KIA model. The operation shown in the video was an audio warning when the set speed was exceeded--not a cruise control function.
Here is the link to the KIA video:

.
I found a similar video for a Genesis that explicitly says the function is NOT cruise control on a Genesis. See:

 

[Bob999]

You've clearly never driven with it. It's the most obnoxious thing.

I have been using adaptive cruise control since 2014. I really like it. My most recent experience is with the 2020 Sonata and the 2021 Santa Fe. Excellent systems in both models in my opinion.