Australia’s Best Cars planted the new Hyundai Santa Fe number one in the above $40,000 price bracket for SUVs. A quick drive in one is all you’ll need to see why the new Santa Fe appeals so much. A very worthy and modern SUV, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is priced extremely competitively, making it hard to ignore with its style and excellent value.

One of the big ticks goes to the way the new Santa Fe delivers its power across a wide range of surfaces via the superior 2.2-litre CRDi diesel unit which happily puts out 436 Nm (auto) at a low 1800 rpm. There is, of course, the 141 kW 2.4 GDi petrol engines that offer smooth response and good performance. AWD on demand traction makes use of the engine’s superior torque levels to tackle some very adventurous terrain.

You can opt for the huge panoramic glass sun roof which floods the light through into the cabin overhead, making the space feel bright and expansive. Kids, and big kids like me, love gazing through the roof at the sky above, and the stars and moon by night. Sun blinds are a handy feature on the side windows if you want to keep the baby sleeping for longer. Solar controlled glass panels are tinted and effective against the fierce summer sun. The new Hyundai Santa Fe comes equipped with satellite navigation, which is a whole lot of fun for the family to follow exactly where on the journey you are. Satellite navigation also saves any arguments and lessens the “when are we going to get there” requests pitched at Dad or Mum. Situated at the centre of the dash is a touch screen multi-media system that allows you to access a number of on-board systems like audio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth communications and music streaming.

Comfy seating is roomy and voluptuous for both rear and front passengers, while on both the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite and Premium, comfort is further enhanced with leather/leatherette upholstered seats. The Santa Fe Highlander also features heated seats over the first two rows, with the driver and front passenger enjoying a three-stage seat warmer device for the perfect cosy feel. The premium audio system incorporates 10 speakers to create a multidimensional soundscape throughout the entire vehicle. It includes door speakers, rear speakers, a centre speaker, two tweeters and a sub-woofer, and is powered by an external digital amplifier. Dual-zone climate control is standard on the two high-end Santa Fes.

Elite and Highlander Santa Fe models come with aerodynamically designed convex side mirrors that automatically fold inwards at the push of a button when the vehicle is stationery. Another handy feature about the side mirrors is that these two higher spec models kit out the side mirrors with a heating mechanism to ensure that the vision is clear in colder weather.

On the road, the Hyundai Santa Fe is deceptively quick. Road holding is good, and the suspension is taut enough for spirited driving while remaining soft enough to soak any nasty bumps lying in wait.

Definitely a roomy SUV with seven seats available, if you want. Honda has also released their excellent CR-V SUV with five seats. Of course, Mazda’s CX-9 directly rivals the Santa Fe with its seven seat arrangement. If you want an equivalent package from Europe, then you’ll be paying a higher price.

The current Hyundai Santa Fe models include the:

• Santa Fe Active (six-speed manual or six-speed auto)
• Santa Fe Elite (six-speed manual or six-speed auto)
• Santa Fe Highlander (six-speed manual or six-speed auto)

For any more information on the new Hyundai Santa Fe or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Hyundai dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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