Modernity: the Hyundai Santa Fe

Modernity and the Hyundai Santa Fe

Did you know that Hyundai is the Korean word for modernity? The 2013 Santa Fe, Hyundai’s newest member, certainly does. This sleek new model looks great, offers unmatched comfort and drives fast (for a big SUV), but does it know anything about trekking?

Santa Fe Executive

There are three choices of Santa Fe, all of them with a R2.2 litre premium diesel engine and six-speed automatic gearbox. The first and least expensive of the range is the Santa Fe Premium, which has five seats and is a front-wheel drive vehicle. Then, you get the Santa Fe Executive and Elite. Both vehicles are all-wheel-drive (AWD) and have a seven-seat arrangement with more than enough legroom space for all passengers.

Although the Santa Fe does not have low range gears, the vehicle does have a differential lock in addition to its AWD. The Santa Fe was put to the test with some light off-roading on the sand dunes near Paternoster in the Western Cape and proved itself by clambering over big rocks and manoeuvering through the beach terrain quite effortlessly.

Down the rocky slope towards Paternoster in the distance

The one thing you need to strongly consider before snatching up one of your own, is its very modernity. The R type engine requires only the very finest 50ppm diesel to power up the vehicle. Unfortunately, South Africa’s northern neighbors are yet to store such fuel so venturing beyond the border isn’t really an option in the Santa Fe. Having said that, the Santa Fe is still a great option to discover the South African roads (tarred or otherwise) with your family  in the utmost comfort and it’ll take to those pesky potholes with gusto.

Compare

Here is a useful table comparing the specs of other similar vehicles on the market

One more thing! If you’ve got a second, take a look at Hyundai’s American television ad for the new Santa Fe. It is terribly funny and appeals to the adventurer within.

The Santa Fe Engine

The nitty gritty

Hot off the press release, here are some crucial specs for the new Hyundai Santa Fe:

High-performance turbodiesel engine

The all-new Santa Fe is equipped with a smooth, quiet and efficient 2,2 litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel. This powerplant, used for all three derivatives (Premium, Executive and Elite), features an advanced third-generation common-rail fuel injection system and a high-efficiency electronic turbocharger.

The 16-valve R2.2 engine with double overhead camshafts delivers 145 kW at its peak power output at 3 800 r/min., and loads of torque that reach its maximum of 436 Nm when the engine runs between 1 800 and 2 500 r/min.

Litres and kilometres

Fuel consumption figures of 8 litres/100 km for the Premium FWD and 8,3 litres/100 km for the AWD Executive and Elite derivatives have been recorded in combined European testing cycles.

All Wheel Drive

The all-wheel drive system in the Executive and Elite delivers power through the front wheels under normal road conditions for optimum economy and fuel efficiency, but engages the rear wheels automatically when conditions demand it. It also features a 4WD lock mode selector that distributes power in a 50:50 ratio to front and rear wheels for increased off-road ability, while automatically switching to “Auto” mode to protect the drive system when the vehicle speed increases to 40 km/h.

Safety specs

The all-new Santa Fe has earned a full house of five stars in the stringent test regimen of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

The all-new architecture of the Santa Fe incorporates a new design that increases high tensile steel application to improve torsional rigidity by 16%, and to improve vehicle weight and manage collision energy. High-strength steel also allows the suspension to work optimally and reduce weight. In addition, anti-corrosion steel was applied to 70% of the outer frame and floor structure.

Active safety systems include Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to help the driver maintain control over the car in an emergency. The Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) system, standard in all derivatives, is capable of detecting an incline – the brakes are then automatically applied to prevent dangerous rollback. The Downhill Brake Control (DBC) that helps vehicle control during steep forward movement complements this.

On slippery roads, the Traction Control System (TCS) prevents the wheel from spinning in an uncontrolled manner, while the Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) is also standard equipment and prevents asymmetrical braking by applying braking force to wheels individually, such as the outer front wheel to counter overseer or the inner rear wheel to counter understeer. VSM promotes stable car maneuvering and optimal safety during potential skidding situations.

In terms of passive safety, the Santa Fe is fitted with six air bags – one each for the driver and front passenger, and side impact and curtain airbags. All car occupants are protected by 3-point inertia reel seatbelts.

Warranty and service plan

Hyundai has earned a reputation in South Africa for setting a vehicle warranty benchmark. The new Santa Fe also boasts Hyundai’s 5 year/150 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, plus a 5 year /150 000 km roadside assistance and a 5 year/90 000 km service contract. Service intervals are 15 000 km.

Lining up the Santa Fe models just outside Paternoster

And finally, the pricing

Santa Fe Premium    FWD 5-seater                        R434 900

Santa Fe Executive    AWD 7-seater                        R459 900

Santa Fe Elite             AWD 7-seater                        R499 900