First Drive Review: Hyundai Santa Fe

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Big grilles, like the one on refreshed Hyundai's Santa Fe, are the new normal, so you better get used to it. But peek behind the Santa Fe's big grille and there is a lot new under there.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE
Price range: $62,990 to $89,990
Powertrains: 2.5-litre petrol inline four-cylinder with 132kW/232Nm, 8.7L/100km, 6-speed automatic transmission, AWD, 3.5-litre petrol V6 with 200kW/331Nm, 10.5L/100km, 8-speed automatic transmission, FWD or 2.2-litre turbo diesel inline four-cylinder with 148kW/440Nm, 6.1L/100km, 8-speed dual clutch transmission, AWD.

The Hyundai Santa Fe gets a new face for 2021, but it also gets a new platform underneath it as well.

Body style: Five-door SUV.
On sale: Now.

Big grilles are the new normal now, so if you don’t like it you better at least get used to it, and Hyundai’s facelifted Santa Fe is the latest example of that. But while Hyundai says the latest incarnation of the Santa Fe is a facelift, it actually sits on an all-new platform and is more ‘new’ than a lot of ‘all-new’ cars out there…

Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?

The Santa Fe’s 2.2-litre diesel engine is a smooth and strong performer.

Over the past 20 years the Santa Fe SUV has become one of the most popular vehicles in Hyundai's range following its launch back in 2000, with that popularity growing with the launch of the second-gen CM Santa Fe in 2005.

The changes are less drastic at the rear.

* Hyundai's Santa Fe is even newer than it looks

* Hyundai teases next-gen Santa Fe SUV

* Road Test Review: Kia Sorento Premium

Everything is of a very high quality inside the Santa Fe.

During the lifespan of the third-gen DM (that launched in 2013) it cemented its position as one of Hyundai’s best-selling models, a trend easily continued by the current model TM that first appeared in 2018.

Now we have what is technically the facelift of the TM for 2021and, yes while it does wear a very new (and very bold) face, it also moved from the old Hyundai-Kia Y6 platform to sit on the new Hyundai-Kia N Platform that underpins the newest versions of the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima and, of course, the Kia Sorento.

Yep, it still shares its doors and some exterior body panels with the previous model, as well as some engines, but it is extensively different underneath, something that the whole Hyundai Motor Group has become somewhat adept at as of late.

You will either love or hate that big new grille. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground.

As such the ‘facelifted’ Santa Fe features more interior space (despite sitting on the same wheelbase), with an additional – and noticeable – 34mm increase in second row legroom and an increase in towing capacity to 2,500kg for all models except those powered by the 2.5-litre petrol models (which stay at 2,000kg).

The Santa Fe is powered by a range of engines including Hyundai’s new “SmartStream” 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 132kW of power and 232Nm of torque and a refreshed version of the 3.5-litre Lambda II petrol V6 that pumps out 200kW and 331Nm.

Also back is the extensively refreshed SmartStream version of the company’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that now produces 148kW and 440Nm.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission and drives all four wheels, while the V6 gets an 8-speed auto and is only available in FWD. The diesel gets an all-new 8-speed wet clutch DCT and is AWD as well.

Even though it doesn’t have the ground clearance to be a real bush basher, the Santa Fe has a number of useful off-road modes and is surprisingly adept.

A version with a 168kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid powertrain will be available sometime in 2021, but Hyundai New Zealand representatives were very quiet on the PHEV version of the powertrain that Kia New Zealand has already confirmed will be arriving here in the Sorento next year.

The Santa Fe remains a spacious and extremely comfortable large SUV. We think it’s handsome, but not everyone will agree.

The inside and outside of the Santa Fe have been extensively refreshed, with the exterior getting new front and rear ends, with that big, bold grille being particularly noticeable. And great.

It might be a bit in-yer-face for some, but personally I love the big chrome grin slathered across the front of the Santa Fe, but I can understand how some won’t.

The rear is more restrained, with redesigned taillights that now get a connecting non-reflectorised red strip and a redesigned bumper.

Inside, the Santa Fe goes all plush and traditional, with a remarkably high-quality and superbly comfortable interior. While it is packed with tech and touchscreens, the wide centre console has generous profusion of buttons (apparently inspired by the similar spread in the Nexo) and the seats are wide armchairs, making it all very reminiscent of European luxury SUVs before they felt the need to go all sporty and silly.

Then, of course, there is the technology Hyundai has packed in. Essentially being the company’s flagship (for now – the larger Pallisade is here very soon), it is absolutely packed with cutting-edge driver assists and infotainment tech.

The Santa Fe’s pricing starts with the entry level model costing $62,990 for the 2.7-litre petrol AWD and $69,990 for the 2.2-litre diesel AWD, while the mid-sped Elite asks $73,990 for the petrol and $80,990 for the diesel.

The top-spec Limited is available with the 2.5-litre petrol engine and AWD or the V6 petrol and FWD for $82,990, while the AWD diesel tops out the range at a hefty $89,990.

Where did you drive it?

Down from Auckland to just the other side of Taupō through one of the most savage downpours to hit the country in years. Yep, we were having lunch in Te Awamutu as it started to be submerged by the deluge, so at least got to try out the Santa Fe’s competence in some of the worst weather you could hope for.

And how very competent it was too. The only models we had on the launch were AWD diesel Elite and top-spec Limited versions, and the sheer level of on-road refinement and unflustered ability in such atrocious conditions was deeply impressive.

And as it dried out the Santa Fe got even better, with a lovely loping ride quality that was superbly comfortable, yet also inspired confidence through the corners with well-controlled body roll and a wonderfully sure-footed demeanour.

On the gravel roads out to our accommodation for the night at Poronui Lodge off the Napier Taupō highway the Santa Fe again showed its class and supreme confidence by being just as unsh-kably stable and predictable there too. And it would even happily and predictably kick the back end out if you “accidentally” switched the traction control off…

What’s the pick of the range?

Hard to definitively say at this stage as we only got to sample the mid (Elite) and top (Limited) spec AWD diesels.

Although we can safely say they are both very good indeed and that while spending the extra $9,990 over the Elite to get the Limited might seem like a rather big jump, it does get you a convincing amount more kit, with the stunning 12.3-inch TFT customisable display behind the steering wheel being a particular highlight.

Why would I buy it?

Because you want a European-quality SUV with a striking exterior, comfortable interior and a huge amount of technology that is comfortable and impressively capable on the road.

Why wouldn’t I buy it?

Because you can’t get past that big grille or because you know the Kia Sorento is a thing that uses the same platform and engines and is almost as good, but at $76,990 the top spec Premium model is also somewhat cheaper…