Debuting mere days after sister brand Kia revealed the updated Sorento, a model which the Santa Fe shares a platform with, Hyundai’s new large SUV will once again provide seating for seven, and like its sibling, powered by a single turbodiesel engine mated to an automatic gearbox.
On sale in Australia since July, the South African model line-up is limited to only three models, commencing with the Premium that features items such as a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and up to four USB ports, cruise control, a 3.5-inch TFT instrument cluster display and a reverse camera.
Upping the ante, the Executive comes with Blind Spot Detection, electric driver’s chair, full-LED headlights, push-button start and keyless entry, as well as Hyundai’s new Safety Exit Assist system that keeps the doors locked momentarily when objects are detected.
At the sharp end, the Elite swaps the smaller instrument cluster for a bigger seven-inch unit that not only comes with three themes; Eco, Comfort and Sport, but which can also display both analogue and digital readouts. Adding to the list further are heated and ventilated front seats, electric passenger’s seat, a panoramic sunroof, bending function for the LED headlights, electric tailgate, front and rear Park Distance Control and Rear Occupant Alert that monitors rear passenger movement inside.
Powering the Santa Fe, the 2.2 CRDI oil-burner has been carried over from the previous model and indeed the Sorento, but surprisingly retuned to produce 142kW/440Nm. Like the Sorento though, the Santa Fe ditches the six-speed self-shifter for a brand-new eight-speed, while drive is routed to the front wheels or via Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system in the case of the Elite. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 7.8-litres/100km for the Premium andExecutive and at 8.2-litres/100km for the Elite.
Arriving on local shores next month, pricing for the Santa Fe kicks-off at R599 900 for the Premium, with the Executive commanding a sticker price of R659 900. The Elite meanwhile is tagged at R749 900. Standard on all models is Hyundai’s five year/150 000km warranty that can optionally be extended by a further two years/50 000km, as well as a five year/90 000km service plan.
