Hyundai celebrated the end of the year as it usually does – with the launch of the TM Santa Fe SUV.
November/December is the time of year Hyundai tends to launch the latest Santa Fe. By accident or des ign it has become something of a Kiwi Christmas tradition, but this time, Hyundai’s Christmas cracker was launched down country, as opposed to the Northland event of the two previous models.
The fourth generation model to bear the Santa Fe name coincides with a double decade’s history in this country, which one could assume was justification enough for ‘adjusting’ a tradition.
And in addition to a celebration of 20 years’ service, Hyundai’s second largest SUV (it is now; Palisade was announced in January and launched in February), the gen IV Santa Fe – is the safest and most powerful model yet.
Let’s look at power first:
The R Series 2.2 litre turbo diesel remains the same as the outgoing model with 148kW power, 440 Nm torque, returning 6.1 litres per 100km thanks in part to an all-new 8-speed DCT ‘wet clutch’ transmission.
The new transmission is a result of a merge between two Hyundai powertrain suppliers which resulted in the one division – Transys – able to produce every type of transmission in house.
While the diesel gives the sexiest returns, Santa Fe’s petrol engines are the ones to see the most dramatic changes.
Accordingly, there are two petrol engines, the most common being the 2.5-litre ‘Theta III’ Petrol for AWD models. This delivers 132 kW power, 232 Nm torque and 8.7 litres per 100km fuel economy through a six-speed automatic transmission.
Then there’s the big boy, the 3.5-litre ‘Lambda II’ for 2WD application. This puts out 200kW of power, 331Nm of torque for a 10.5-litre per 100km fuel figure. Engine power gets to the wheels via eight-speed automatic transmission.
Hybrid and PHEV options will also be available in 2021.
As to safety, both EuroNCAP and US NCAP have rated Santa Fe as a five-star vehicle, largely through the inclusion of Hyundai’s comprehensive SmartSense safety technology.
This umbrella term covers standard across-the-range features like:
• Smart cruise control.
• Driver attention warning.
• Forward Collision Avoidance.
• Junction Assist (for use at intersections).
• Lane Following Assist.
• Lane keeping Assist.
• Safe Exit assist.
• Rear occupant alert.
• Blind Spot Collision avoidance.
And top end models gain Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance assist (PCA) – for Limited 3.5L and 2.2L models only.
Selected models also feature a Surround View Monitor (SVM), Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA), Blind Spot view monitor and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA).
Inside, the new Santa Fe sees increased occupant and cargo space as well as a design theme borrowed from the Nexo, with a ‘floating’ centre console in Elite models up, adding to the impression of actual space. Pride of place in the front cabin is an optional 10.25inch AVN (audio, video, navigation) touchscreen display, which also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The range offering ladder is what we are used to seeing from Hyundai:
• Entry 2.5 MPI 6-speed AWD – $62,990.
• Entry 2.2 CRDi 8-speed AWD – $69,990.
• Elite 2.5 MPI 6-speed AWD – $73,990.
• Elite 2.2 CRDi 8-speed AWD – 80,990.
• Limited 2.5 MPI 6-speed AWD – $82,990.
• Limited 2.2 CRDi 8-speed AWD – $89,990.
• Limited 3.5 MPI 8-speed 2WD – $82,990.
