Hyundai Santa Fe New Generation

Hyundai released pricing and specification for the New Generation Santa Fe SUV, which goes on sale in the UK on October 15.  Prices will start from £25,495 for the 2.2-litre CRDi Style 2WD car. Since its launch in the UK in 2001, the Hyundai Santa Fe has sold 37,500 units in total. Last year, was the second best year in terms of sales for the SUV in Britain with just over 4,200 sold – which compared to a third of European Santa Fe sales in 2011.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Born at the world’s largest car manufacturing plant in Ulsan, South Korea, the New Generation Santa Fe embodies a significant leap forward in terms of desirability, sophistication, interior quality and technology.

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “Globally Hyundai has decided to keep the Santa Fe nameplate as it has, and continues to be, a hugely popular product with clients and is synonymous with the Hyundai brand. We know that Hyundai Santa Fe customers are amongst our most loyal clients and it is their feedback that has helped to shape the new model.

“We think that the New Generation Santa Fe will not only appeal to existing customers with its fresh design and improved levels of standard technology, but will attract a new range of buyers looking for a stylish, premium and authentic SUV.”

Hyundai Santa Fe

The New Generation Santa Fe has a 2.2-litre CRDi engine which produces 197Hp and 311lb ft of torque. Six-speed manual or automatic transmissions will be likely.  The engine has been worked to ensure significant gains in fuel economy along with associated reductions in CO2 emissions. The 2WD version returns 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and emissions fall below the benchmark 160g/km level for the first time (155g/km) making it an engaging proposition for fleets. The 4WD manual Santa Fe too makes an appealing fleet choice with a combined fuel consumption figure of 46.3mpg and 159g/km. The automatic transmission model is almost on par with the outgoing manual version delivering 41.5mpg and just 178g/km.

Three trim levels are available and there is still a choice of either five- or seven-seat configurations. In keeping with Hyundai’s philosophy of offering customers maximum value for money, the Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with a number of key features that are traditionally cost options with rivals, beginning with the entry-level Style.

On the outside, the Style model gets 18-inch alloy wheels, body coloured door handles, body coloured door mirrors with integrated indicator lights, reverse parking sensors, daytime running lights, self-levelling suspension (seven seat only) and a rear spoiler with high-mounted brake light. Inside, air conditioning is standard along with Bluetooth® with voice recognition, multi-function steering wheel and Hyundai’s adjustable Flex Steer™ system.

Hyundai engineers have harmonised the New Generation Santa Fe’s suspension specifically for UK roads to ensure a refined and cosseting ride. Dampers have been stiffened over the European set-up in order to cope with bumps and uneven road surfaces that are more common in the UK.

Hyundai Santa Fe

A number of safety features are also standard from entry including ESP, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Management, Trailer Stability Assist and seven airbags. A first for Santa Fe is the Active Bonnet System, which raises the bonnet by 60mm in the event of a pedestrian collision to help minimise the impact of head injuries. The system complements the New Generation Santa Fe’s already high safety package.

Moving up to the Premium mid-trim adds additional specification over the entry-level Style such as touchscreen satellite navigation, reverse parking camera with Parking Guidance System, electric folding door mirrors with puddle lamps, dual zone climate control, heated front seats, roof rails, chrome effect door handles and black leather seat trim.  Beige leather can be specified as an alternative at no additional cost. Prices for the Premium models begin at £28,995.

The new range-topping Premium SE trim is laden with a vast array of comfort, safety, and luxury features and starts at £32,695 for the seven-seat four-wheel drive manual. In addition to the Premium trim, Premium SE gets 19-inch alloy wheels, electric driver’s seat adjustment, Panoramic sunroof, Xenon headlights, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, front parking sensors, Smart Parking Assist, tyre pressure monitoring system, Supervision Cluster with LCD display.

Interior space and packaging differs from the outgoing Hyundai Santa Fe with improvements to rear legroom (+45mm) and first row headroom (+11mm). The New Generation Santa Fe still remains a functional and versatile SUV with luggage capacity at 534 litres plus an additional 48 litres under the boot floor. For added convenience the Santa Fe is fitted with two quick-release levers inside the boot to flatten the second row of seats for maximum load space.

The Santa Fe is backed by Hyundai’s 5 Year Triple Care package, which means owners get a fully transferable five year unlimited mileage warranty, five years roadside assistance and five years free vehicle health checks.