Hyundai Santa Fe Review
24-December-2009
- Vital Stats
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$37,990 - $48,490
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Diesel
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Perfect for girly camping trips, whether there is five or seven of you!
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6
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The new Hyundai Santa Fe recently made its Australian debut in the Global Green Challenge - a gruelling six-day drive over 3,000km between Darwin and Adelaide, during which the Santa Fe 'R' 6-speed manual proved easily capable of undercutting its official fuel consumption figure of 6.7 L/100km (7.5 l/100km for automatic).
So what's the big deal? In a nutshell, the CO₂ emissions have been reduced in the brand new Hyundai Santa Fe with all models falling below 200g/km (the 6-speed manual at 176g/km and the auto at 197g/km).
In addition, with the 6-speed manual gearbox, the 'ECO' coach is a new feature designed to promote fuel-saving driving habits. An icon on the LCD tripmeter screen begins to flash when the optimum gear shift point is reached. All very clever!
Some more new features include:
- The all-new R-2.2 diesel engine, offering improved power and torque as well as reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions
- A choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions designed to improve performance and efficiency
- Enhanced safety features, including improved crash and rollover protection, resulting in a 5-star ANCAP safety rating
- Upgraded interior design and comfort
- Suspension, which has been dynamically optimised for Australian road conditions.
Hyundai has also reconfigured the specifications of the Santa Fe's 3 offerings with the SLX (from $37,990 MLP*), the Elite ($43,990 MLP*) and finally the Highlander ($48,490 MLP*).
"The latest Santa Fe builds on its renowned practicality and economy," says Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Sales and Marketing Director Kevin McCann.
"Packed with features that encompass the gamut of driving desirables - performance, efficiency, comfort and five star safety - it undoubtedly sets new standards for value as an all-purpose 7-seat family SUV."
While attending the launch, the big wigs at Hyundai told me that the car had been developed by a team of 150 engineers at an investment cost of $227 million! They also explained the all-new R-2.2 turbo diesel engine is the latest generation of Hyundai's famously fuel-efficient range of Diesels. In 6-speed manual form, it produces 145kW of peak power and 421Nm of torque, while maximum torque of 436Nm for the automatic version - quite impressive!
Safety
The Santa Fe comes complete with a full suite of safety features, both active and passive, which have lifted its crash performance to the maximum 5* rating in the ANCAP assessment program. Standard on all models is ESP Stability Control, which includes Hyundai's Traction Control System (TCS).
Driver and front passenger airbags, dual side front (thorax) airbags and front and rear passenger side curtain airbags (which extend to the third row) are standard across all three grades of the new Santa Fe, ensuring that all your precious cargo is protected.
Other standard safety features include Rear Park Assist, front active head rests and 3-point retractable seat belts for all occupants, including the third row. The Santa Fe also features a driver's side safety window that retracts if it detects an object.
A reversing camera also comes standard on the top-of-the-range Highlander.
Inside...
There are carbon graphite style accents and aluminium effect finishes throughout the cabin plus a new 'supervision' instrument cluster on Elite and Highlander models. Black leather trim is standard on the Highlander model.
All Santa Fe 'R' models feature a USB audio input with iPod® compatibility, allowing us to belt out power ballads (or Britney - what ever floats your boat) to our hearts content, cruise control and steering wheel mounted controls and heated outside mirrors are also included.
The Elite version adds push button start and proximity key, driver's side power seat adjustment, a fold-down conversation mirror (so your passengers in the back are not talking to the back of your head) as well as auto dusk-sensing headlights and dual-zone climate control air conditioning. Passengers in the third row also get their own air conditioning vents and fan speed control.
In addition, the Highlander accommodates both front seat occupants with electric seats, and also adds electro-chromatic rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers, power seats for both driver and passenger and an electric glass sunroof as standard, so you can catch the sun whilst driving along.
Seven seats are fitted on all grades of the Santa Fe making flexibility a key feature, as the second row of seats has a 60/40 split fold function and the third row a 50/50 split fold. The second row 'kerbside' seat can also tumble forward to allow easier access to the third row.
A great feature for the family road trip is the air conditioned cool box on Elite and Highlander and there is also a convenient storage recess in the rear cargo area.
Accessories
Owners can opt to further tailor the Santa Fe to their needs with a wide range of Genuine Hyundai Accessories to keep connected, entertained and protected.
Roof-mounted DVD entertainment is available to keep the kids engaged on road trips. It also plays audio CDs or MP3 compilation CDRs and is also Sony PlayStation® and Nintendo console-compatible. The Bluetooth® Phone Kit enables the driver to connect a Bluetooth® enabled phone, and at the touch of a button, talk to family and friends wirelessly, through the car's audio system.
To help parking in tight spaces, Front Park Assist is available, emitting an ultrasonic signal to alert the driver of approaching objects -which may be outside the field of vision.
And when you need to carry a range of lifestyle equipment, such as a snowboard, skis, bikes or kayak, there are the WhispbarTM Quiet roof racks, which are quick and easy to fit and remove.
New Santa Fe - powertrain highlights:
- 2.2 CRDi turbo Diesel (3rd generation common rail with piezo electric injectors)
- 145kW of peak power @ 3,800rpm
- 421Nm peak torque @ 1,800 to 2,500rpm for 6-speed manual
- 436Nm peak torque @ 1,800 to 2,500rpm for 6-speed automatic
- Fuel consumption+ 6.7 litres/100 km (man), 7.5 litres/100 km (auto)
- CO2 emissions+176g/km (man), 197g/km (auto)
- Towing capacity - Braked - 2,000kg, Unbraked - 750kg
New Santa Fe range - manufacturer's list prices:
- New Santa Fe 7 seat SLX R-2.2 turbo Diesel 6-speed manual $37,990 MLP*
- New Santa Fe 7 seat SLX R-2.2 turbo Diesel 6-speed auto $39,990 MLP*
- New Santa Fe 7 seat Elite R-2.2 turbo Diesel 6-speed auto $43,990 MLP*
- New Santa Fe 7 seat Highlander 2.2 R turbo Diesel 6-speed auto $48,490 MLP*
- Optional metallic/mica paint $375 MLP*
Note: *MLP includes GST, but excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges. On-sale date is December 1, 2009.
Note: +Australian Design Rules 81/02 static laboratory combined average city and highway cycle test. Fuel consumption will vary depending in a combination of driving habits and the condition of the vehicle.