Hyundai in Australia has already introduced the all-new Santa Fe seven-seat SUV, presenting the next evolution of the company’s signature “Fluidic Design” – “Storm Edge”. The vehicle is expected here in the first quarter of next year.
The styling of the new Santa Fe was led by Hyundai's North American Design Centre in Irvine, California and is available in Aussie in three trim levels (Active, Elite and Highlander).
It is powered by either the Theta II 2.4-litre GDi petrol engine (141kW/242Nm), or the R-series 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine (145kW/436Nm), and is available with a six-speed automatic with electronic sequential manual mode or six-speed manual transmission which achieves an combined fuel economy of 6.6L/100km. It is, however, unlikely the manual version will be available in New Zealand.
Key features include 5-Star safety across the range, with seven airbags; rear view camera and rear park assist; automatic dusk-sensing projector beam headlamps; and electric lumbar support, all standard across the range.
A full alphabet soup of safety electronics is fitted, advanced traction cornering control (ATCC). There’s also front and rear air-conditioning as standard, as well as full iPod/USB connectivity and Bluetooth hands-free phone system, a 4.3 inch touch screen audio system (Active models), or a seven inch touch screen premium audio system with satellite navigationclimate control air conditioning (Elite & Highlander).
There’s also glove box cooling (Elite and Highlander), 2-way power driver’s seat (Elite and Highlander), electrochromatic rear view mirror with compass (Elite and Highlander), HID xenon headlamps and LED rear combination lamps (Highlander), power front passenger’s seat (Highlander) and heated front and second row (outboard) seats (Highlander).
Both bodywork and the platform on the Santa Fe are brand-new, with styling showing off the bold hexagonal front grille, signature eagle-eye projector beam front headlamps and sweeping bonnet line.
Inside, satin chrome details are matched back to all-new cloth or leather/leatherette design upholstery, with soft-touch surfaces abounding.
The instrument cluster has a large TFT LCD colour centre display on Elite and Highlander models.
Elite and Highlander models also offer a suite of features including; proximity key with push-button start, auto-dimming mirror with in-built compass, climate control air-conditioning, and solar control glass with a privacy tint.
Convenience touches include the addition, in Elite and Highlander models, of a manually operated retractable mesh blind cleverly hidden in the top of the rear door trims for enhanced security or further protection from the sun for children.
An ingenious door wrap design will see the end of dirty trouser bottoms, skirts and dresses. The system employs a decreased bottom door frame width to ensure mud, dirt and road grime is swung away from the door, rather than catching and collecting.
On the Highlander model the full-length glass panoramic sunroof is electrically operated to open fully or tilt open.
Seating possibilities include a flexible, multi-function second row which operates with forward-and-back slide, recline, and 40:20:40 split.
The third row features 50:50 split full-folding seating for a total of seven seats across the entire model line-up. In addition both second and third row seats can be folded flat to offer optimal load transporting capability, and a one-touch fold lever conveniently allows operation of the second row fold from the rear cargo space.
A lightweight luggage screen cover is standard across the range.
