Hyundai Santa Fe: a large 7-seat SUV packed with features

With the fourth generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Korean SUV takes a step up in refinement and is capable of standing up to the most exclusive models in its category.
This is already the fourth generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe. A model that first saw the light of day back in 2001, and which can be considered a forerunner of crossovers. At that time, apart from the Toyota Rav4, the vehicles of this type on the market were still closer to 4x4s than to SUVs.

Now, three generations later and with more than 1.6 million SUVs sold worldwide, of which 400,000 are Santa Fes, Hyundai is back in the game. And the new Hyundai Santa Fe becomes the flagship of the brand, now that Genesis operates as an independent division. It does not compete in a high-volume segment, but it brings image. And it arrives with qualities and a price that make the Hyundai Santa Fe a magnificent alternative among large 7-seat SUVs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POnfDh_aimk&feature=youtu.be

Hyundai Santa Fe 2019: Big on the outside… and on the inside

Wisely, Hyundai has replaced two cars with one. In the previous range we had a Santa Fe and a Gran Santa Fe. Now, at 4.77 metres long (7 cm more than the previous one), the new Hyundai sits between the two versions. And with a longer wheelbase – it reaches 2.76 m – and a better-resolved design, it is as spacious inside as the previous Gran Santa Fe.

We will not say much about the design. It is best to look at the images and the video. The car makes an impression with its new cascading grille and slim headlights. It conveys a sense of power, with a very muscular profile. Seen from behind, it may perhaps remind one too much of the Tucson, which is not really a problem. There are even 10 body colours to choose from, many of them very eye-catching, such as Magma Red, Bronze or Typhoon Silver.

Inside, the most important thing, beyond the pleasant design and good ergonomics, is the increase in perceived quality. Apart from some plastics that remain hard to the touch on the lower part of the dashboard, the cabin has impeccable finishing and conveys a sense of solidity, but also of luxury and refinement, especially in the higher trim levels.

Hyundai has decided to sell the new Santa Fe in the Spanish market with seven seats as standard. A third row with improved access – it has a “one touch” function that moves the second-row seats with the press of a button – which does not prevent having as much as 625 litres of boot capacity when it is not needed. Space improves in all seats compared with the previous Santa Fe, and the new model becomes a real ally for long journeys, with plenty of space and comfort for occupants in the second row. It would be one of our “favourites” for this kind of use, alongside the Skoda Kodiaq and the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

Engines: Diesel is better than petrol

While waiting for the plug-in hybrid version of the Santa Fe, and the interestingmild-hybrid, the current Santa Fe range includes one petrol engine and two turbodiesels. Our choice? The most powerful CRDi. Here is why.

The 2.0 CRDi with 150 CV is the entry-level version, and is only paired with the manual gearbox and the Essence trim. In a car of this size, it is worth stepping up to the 2.2 CRDi with 200 CV. More punch, better acceleration and practically identical consumption: from 5.6 l/100 km for the “smaller” engine, and 5.7 for the 2.2, figures still according to the NEDC cycle. During the test, our average consumption was 8 l/100 km, with the car loaded (four passengers and four small suitcases), which is not bad at all.

Moreover, for the 3,000 euros that the engine upgrade costs, you also get the Klass trim, which adds many things over the Essence: chrome grille, tinted glass, roof rails, LED headlights, keyless entry, automatic folding mirrors and active high beam, among other things. This would be our recommended minimum.

But there is another reason to opt for the 2.2 CRDi: it is the only one that can be paired with the excellent new-generation 8-speed automatic gearbox developed by Hyundai. A torque-converter transmission that is very smooth and sufficiently quick, which greatly improves driving pleasure, and is more efficient than the 6-speed automatic of the Santa Fe with the 2.4 GDI petrol engine, which is carried over from the previous model.

As for dynamic behaviour, the Santa Fe is not an especially agile car through corners, but it does not aim to be. It fulfils its role as a family SUV to perfection: comfortable, very stable, well insulated from potholes and the road surface, with precise and very pleasant steering feel. Ride comfort and refinement have been especially worked on, and it shows.

A novelty in this generation is the HTRAC all-wheel drive originally developed for the Genesis, and adapted for this SUV. The new Hyundai Tucson will also feature it. It distributes engine power between the two axles variably, taking into account the chosen driving mode. In Sport mode it can send up to 50% to the rear axle, a figure that drops to 35% in Comfort mode. When Eco mode is selected, the Santa Fe works as a front-wheel-drive car.

Connectivity and safety

Among the novelties in the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe, we find for the first time on the brand a head-up display system that projects information onto the windscreen. Hyundai already debuted a HUD on the Kona, but in a more basic variant, which projects onto a transparent plastic screen.

Two new assistants also arrive, joining the huge array of driving aids and safety features integrated in the Hyundai SmartSense package, standard on all versions. On one hand, the safe exit assist, which locks the doors if it detects an approaching vehicle or cyclist when a passenger is about to get out of the car. On the other, the rear collision assist, which helps by monitoring traffic when reversing out of a parallel parking space.

An interesting element is the new rear occupant alert system. It warns by sounding the horn and flashing the hazard lights if the car is locked with children inside.

The two entry-level versions, Essence and Klass, come as standard with a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system and connectivity with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which allows use of the phone’s navigation. It includes voice recognition and a rear camera for parking assistance. The higher versions equip the system with an 8-inch screen and integrated navigation system, with permanent map updates and seven years of free subscription to LIVE services (traffic, speed cameras, fuel prices). There is also wireless charging, and interesting instrumentation with the main gauge on a digital display, which changes how information is presented and its colour depending on the selected driving mode.

Prices and discounts for the Hyundai Santa Fe

As always when talking about prices, especially in the case of Hyundai, it is worth bearing in mind the possible discounts, without forgetting the 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty the brand offers. Pay attention, because the following list shows list prices.

From the Santa Fe list prices you must deduct 3,900 euros from the current campaign. Financing the purchase and trading in a car, the maximum discount can exceed 7,000 euros

Hyundai Santa Fe petrol range prices (without discounts)
-Santa Fe 2.4 GDI 4×4 Aut. Klass: 45,100 €
-Santa Fe 2.4 GDI 4×4 Aut. Tecno: 51,400 €

Hyundai Santa Fe diesel range prices (without discounts)
-Santa Fe 2.0 CRDi 4×2 Essence: 36,900 €
-Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi 4×2 Klass: 40,900 €
-Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi 4×2 Auto. Klass: 43,100 €
-Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi 4×2 Auto. Tecno: 49,400 €
-Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi 4×4 Auto. Tecno: 51,400 €
-Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi 4×4 Auto. Style: 55,200 €
-Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi 4×4 Auto. Limited: 55,500 €

And now comes the good part. From these prices you must deduct 3,900 euros from the current campaign. This leaves a Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi automatic 4×2 in Tecno trim, which would be one of our recommendations, at 45,500 euros. Or a Klass, which is not a bad option either, for 39,200 euros.

From here, it keeps adding up. If you finance the purchase through the brand, add another 1,800 euros of discount, and the possibilities of the Hyundai MOVE services. Here, among others, you can choose brake and tyre replacement included in the monthly payment, or a courtesy car. And if you have a vehicle to hand in at the time of purchase, regardless of the make, you can get an additional 1,500 euro discount. The maximum cumulative discount is therefore 7,200 euros.

Hyundai Santa Fe image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadHyundai Santa Fe16 versions · from 56,020 €