The third generation Hyundai Santa Fe has arrived in South Africa. The all-new SUV makes use of new and more aggressive styling, added luxury, as well as more efficient performance to make headway through the popular large SUV segment. The Hyundai Santa Fe SUV enters the market in three different derivatives with a wider choice of features than before.
Buyers get the choice between the front-wheel drive Santa Fe ‘Premium’, all-wheel drive ‘Executive’ and ‘Elite’ derivatives. The Executive and Elite, with their third row of seats that can fold away into the cargo floor in the rear when not being used, make it a versatile seven-seater.
The all-new Santa Fe continues with Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy, but with a twist this time around. The bolder exterior look is meant to invoke the impression of turbulent motion, through what Hyundai call the model’s ‘Storm Edge’ styling. A style inspired by expressive things that happen in nature during the formation of a storm. This is characterised by its bold hexagonal grille and a rising belt-line behind the rear door handle.
The exterior is highlighted with more technical detail than we’ve yet seen on a Hyundai: the new SUV features rectangular lenses for the Xenon headlights; LED side repeaters in the tail lights, gloss black finishing on the door frames and pillars, sporty twin mufflers with double exhaust tips and a rear diffuser-look moulding beneath the rear bumper.
Attractive alloy wheels are standard across the Santa Fe range with 17-inch rims fitted to the Premium derivative, while the Executive comes with 18-inch wheels and the Elite with full size 19-inch rims. The Hyundai Santa Fe does come with a full size spare wheel located under the cargo floor.
The new interior is given a 3D sculptural treatment to the dashboard, centre console and steering wheel, which is now adjustable for rake and reach for the first time. Information is displayed on a TFT (thin film transistor) LCD screen, housed in front of the driver and satin or high-gloss chrome accents contrast the leather upholstered interior seats.
The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe is longer and wider than the previous generation model and this provides better legroom together with increased headroom in the first row. Seating convenience is improved by lowering the car’s hip point and ground clearance, while the doors now extend to the bottom of the sills to provide easier access.
The new seating arrangement features a 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat in the Elite derivative. The second row can be slid back, or forwards, for added convenience, while also offering a reclining backrest and the ability to fold down in a split configuration for extra carrying capacity. Boot space is 1 003-litres in the Premium five-seater, and 994-litres in the seven-seater Executive and Elite. Remote folding of the second row seats is an added convenience.
All models come with dual-zone climate control, with a switch to activate the air conditioner for the second and third-row passengers. The flagship Elite model features a reverse video camera in the rear-view mirror; automatic electric folding mirrors; automatic rain sensor with speed-sensitive windscreen wipers; and a full-length panoramic sunroof with motor-driven roller blinds. The Santa Fe’s four-speaker audio system has a CD-player with ports for Aux-In cable, iPod and a USB connection with steering wheel remote controls.
Engine-wise, the all-new Santa Fe is still equipped with the smooth, quiet and efficient 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine we sampled on the previous generation Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. This engine is used across all three derivatives and features an advanced third-generation common-rail fuel injection system and a high-efficiency electronic turbocharger.
The 16-valve R2.2 engine with double overhead camshafts delivers 145 kW and 436 Nm between 1 800 and 2 500 r/min. The fuel consumption figures of 8 L/100 km for the Premium and 8.3 L/100 km for the all-wheel-drive Executive and Elite derivatives, are courtesy of a smooth-shifting automatic 6-speed transmission.
The all-wheel drive system in the Executive and Elite delivers power through the front wheels under normal road conditions, for optimum fuel efficiency, but engages the rear wheels automatically when conditions demand it. It also features a 4WD lock mode selector that distributes power in a 50:50 ratio to front and rear wheels for increased off-road ability.
Hyundai offer their ‘Flex Steer’ on the new Santa Fe and this system offers three steering modes that are selectable via a switch on the steering wheel, enabling the driver to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport according to road conditions.
The Santa Fe has earned a full house of five stars in the most stringent test regimen of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). This is due to the architecture of the Santa Fe, which incorporates high tensile steel to improve torsional rigidity by 16% over the previous model.
Active safety systems include Electronic Stability Program (ESP); Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) Downhill Brake Control (DBC); Traction Control System (TCS) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). While in terms of passive safety, the Santa Fe is fitted with a full set of six airbags.
| Price (incl. VAT) | |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Premium 5-Seater | R434 900 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Executive 7-Seater AWD | R459 900 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Elite 7-Seater AWD | R499 900 |
Prices include a 5-year/150 000km warranty, 5-year/150 000km roadside assistance and a 5-year/90 000km service plan.
