What’s new?
Hyundai has updated its flagship SUV on the local market. Exterior revisions include a new front bumper, grille, skid plates and headlamp units; the rear receives similar updates.
Inside, changes have been made to the Santa Fe’s centre console and navigation system, while the cabin has been trimmed with better materials. New safety systems such as Blind Sport Detection and Smart Cruise Control have also been added.
Behind the wheel
Under the bonnet is the same 2,2-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel as before (with outputs of 145 kW and 436 N.m). During the launch route, we drove mostly on smooth tarred surfaces in the Cape’s Overberg region and traversed a few gravel sections. As before, the big Hyundai feels sure-footed – even on the gravel sections, at admittedly modest speeds.
As you would expect from a turbodiesel engine, it doesn’t need to be hustled to make progress, as it delivers its best performance between 2 000 and 4 000 r/min.
The interior has definitely undergone a step-up compared with the outgoing model. Gone is the small infotainment screen, which has been replaced by a larger unit and a control panel below it. On either sides of this screen the angled ventilation slats remain.
It was only two and half years ago that we tested the (then new) Hyundai Santa Fe. At the time it was the first production Hyundai to cost in excess of R500 000 in South Africa.
Fast forward to 2015, and inflation as well as a weaker rand has taken its toll on imported brands, with the updated Santa Fe now starting at R659 900 for the two-wheel drive, five-seater Elite, and R699 900 for the all-wheel drive, seven-seater Elite.
Summary
Nevertheless, the Santa Fe offers an attractive list of standard features. These include a panoramic sunroof, park assist with rear view camera and the new functions mentioned above, to name just a few. However, with serious competition from Europe, not to mention the interest in bakkie-based SUVs in South Africa, the Santa Fe will have its work cut out.
