Hyundai's new Santa Fe with premium design, loads of comfort features and roomy interior arrives in SA
Hyundai's fourth-generation Santa Fe has arrived in South Africa with a new, premium design, advanced technology, more space and with comfort features that makes it worthy of the model's flagship status in the brand's local vehicle range.
This "ambassador for the brand's new design language", as Hyundai Motor Group's new design chief Luc Donckerwolke refers to the new Santa Fe, was first launched in 2001 and 5 331 units have been sold in South Africa since then.
The new model represents the cornerstone of the SUV heritage that Hyundai has built up over the years. It also provides one of the best-in-class safety packages, remarkable roominess and innovative comfort features that enhance the customer's daily life.
The new-generation Santa Fe is introduced in South Africa in three derivatives:
- Santa Fe R 2.2 Premium automatic (with front-wheel drive);
- Santa Fe R 2.2 Executive automatic (with front-wheel drive); and
- Santa Fe R 2.2 Elite automatic (with HTRAC all-wheel drive).
Premium design
The design of the fourth-generation Santa Fe connects with the new SUV-family look. It displays a modern and elegant appearance complemented by eye-catching composite light and the cascading grille, Hyundai's SUV-family identity. The exterior design is characterised by a powerful wide stance and an athletic, bold look. Its refined lines reinforce the car's status at the top of Hyundai's SUV line-up.
The new Santa Fe is available in 7 colours, ranging from Phantom Black to White Cream, Typhoon Silver, Wild Explorer (a darker silver), Earthy Bronze, Horizon Red and Stormy Sea (a shade of blue).
New 8-speed gearbox, enhanced four-wheel drive with HTRAC
The new-generation Santa Fe features an advanced four-wheel drive system in the Elite derivative with an enhanced torque application depending on wheel grip and the speed of vehicle, called HTRAC. Hyundai's next generation all-wheel-drive technology controls the torque distribution and braking power of the front and rear wheels variably. It supports drivers in all kinds of driving situations, whether on slippery roads or in regular road conditions, and enhances stability in cornering.
The power for the new Santa Fe's drivetrain comes from the proven 2,2-litre CRDi engine that delivers 142 kW maximum power and 440 Nm maximum torque. Linked to the newly developed 8-speed automatic gearbox, which is engineered with a transversal layout, it delivers enhanced fuel efficiency of 3 to 4%.
The new gearbox layout offers a more compact set-up and an increased gear span for enhanced performance and reduced fuel consumption. The gear ratio is widened by 18,3 %, resulting in an improved engine response during start and acceleration.
During braking the engine response is improved due to a higher downshifting point. The higher gear ratio width ensures greater differentiation of the drive modes.
Industry-first safety technologies
The fourth-generation Santa Fe offers one of the best-in-class safety packages and industry-first safety features. The innovative Rear Occupant Alert (in the Elite derivative) monitors the rear seats to detect passengers and alerts the driver when leaving the car. The Elite also comes with an Electronic Child Safety Lock.
The Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist - a standard feature in the Executive and Elite derivatives - is a Hyundai first too. When reversing out of areas with low visibility, the system not only warns the driver if vehicles approach from the rear side - it also applies the brakes automatically. The Executive and Elite also boasts a Blind Spot Detection system.
The Safety Exit Assist, also standard in the Executive and Elite derivatives, prevents accidents when vehicles approach from behind by temporarily locking the doors before being opened, so that passengers will exit the car safely.
All derivatives have ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System); ESP (Electronic Stability Program); DBC (Downhill Brake Control) & HAC (Hill start Assist Control).
Highest Passive Safety
The new-generation Santa Fe benefits from superior rigidity through the application of high strength steel, high impact energy absorption and minimised distortion in order to protect passengers in the event of a collision.
Passive safety is enhanced by an increased body rigidity to protect passengers in the event of a collision. Thanks to hot stamping being applied over an enlarged area along with larger weld diameters, the car's overall weight is reduced while providing top-level crashworthiness. The Santa Fe features more high-strength steel than any other Hyundai vehicle with 57% - that is 15% above the previous model.
Around the interior of the Santa Fe a total of six airbags are installed (two front airbags, two side airbags and two curtain airbags from first to second row protecting both driver and passengers). The new Santa Fe was awarded with a 5-star certification in the Euro NCAP crash test.
State-of-the-art infotainment system
The 7-inch infotainment system in the Santa Fe - which is a standard feature in all three derivatives - integrates all media and connectivity features, allowing drivers to always stay tuned to the traffic ahead.
The Display Audio offers customers accessible connectivity with the seven-inch high-resolution colour LCD touchscreen to connect their smartphones via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Passengers can also use the navigation applications of their smartphone, to be displayed on the touch screen. The system recognises the passenger's voice allowing them to dictate messages or to make phone calls. The Display Audio also features an integrated rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines.
For further connection of customer's devices, the Santa Fe comes standard with a USB port and an AUX jack.
Exterior Design
The exterior design of the new Santa Fe is characterised by a powerful wide stance and an athletic, bold look with refined lines that reinforce the car's status at the top of Hyundai's SUV line-up. The Santa Fe's front adopts the Hyundai's new SUV family appearance and features an expressive and powerful look. The front introduces the Cascading Grille that is complemented by the Composite Light - a design comprising LED Daytime Running Lights positioned on top of the headlights. The Elite and Executive have full LED headlights, while the Premium derivative is equipped with halogen lights. The Elite's headlights have dynamic bending into a corner as an added feature.
The dynamic character of the side is enhanced by a sleek roof line and the bold side character line running from the headlights to the taillights to form a fluid design. The rear creates a confident and stable stance with unique tail lights, a striking bumper design and twin exhaust pipe outlets. The Elite is equipped with LED tail lights.
Three wheel designs are used - an 18-inch wheel for the Premium, and two different 19-inch wheels for the Executive and Elite versions respectively. The Executive and Elite also gets a chrome bezel around the side windows.
The exterior dimensions make the new Santa Fe appear even more prominent. With a length of 4 770 mm, a width of 1 890 mm and a longer wheelbase of 2 765 mm, the Santa Fe has an even stronger stance on the road and provides more comfort for its passengers.
Interior Design
The Santa Fe has a refined and ergonomic interior architecture. The stunning relationship between design and functionality combines premium quality with a horizontal and roomy layout and enhanced visibility. The visibility to the rear is improved by the larger rear quarter glass and greater second- and third-row openness.
Drivers and front passengers will enjoy the support of the electric extendable seat cushions offering 10 different positions.
The new Santa Fe increases comfort on short and long trips for passengers in the second and third row - even for adults. In the second row, leg room is increased by 38 mm and the seat is 18 mm higher. The new one-touch walk into the third row eases passenger access to these seats. Headroom in the third row has been improved by 22 mm.
Standard luggage capacity is increased by 31 litres to 547 litres behind the second row of seats, and can be extended to 1 625 litres with both the third and second row of seats folded down.
Convenience features
All derivatives have Rear Park Assist, while the Elite option benefits from a Front Park Assist system as well as standard equipment.
The Elite derivative also boasts a new 7-inch TFT colour display information screen in the centre of the instrument cluster. Apart from speed, revolutions and other information, it shows the chosen drive mode through a blue, green or red colour. The other derivatives have a conventional 3.5-inch mono LCD display cluster.
The Santa Fe Elite derivative is also equipped with a panoramic sunroof; electrically operated rear hatch door (with adjustable height and opening speed); driver and passenger seats with option of heating or ventilation; and paddle shifts on the steering wheel for manual gearshifts.
Rear-door retractable side curtains; a push-button keyless start function and folding side mirrors form part of the standard features package for both the Elite and Executive derivatives.
All derivatives have cruise control and leather seats, with electrical adjustment for the Executive's driver seat, and for both driver and passenger's seats in the Elite. The Premium derivative's seat is adjusted manually. Climate control is standard across the range.
Variable torque control with HTRAC
The Hyundai in-house developed HTRAC in the Santa Fe Elite derivative is based on four-wheel drive technology that variably controls the power to the wheels. The name is a combination of the H from Hyundai and the first part of the word 'traction'. The HTRAC variable torque control enables agile handling and better torque application depending on wheel grip and speed of the vehicle.
In combination with the drive modes, HTRAC improves acceleration, stability and fuel efficiency. The system increases traction on slippery roads, gravel and, of course, on regular road surfaces while enhancing cornering performance. The ratio of torque distribution is changed with the drive modes and displayed in the cluster.
In Sport mode HTRAC delivers improved acceleration with up to 50% torque distributed to the rear wheels. In Comfort mode it offers improved stability with up to 35% torque distributed to the rear wheels, and in Eco mode H-Trac provides improved fuel efficiency by sending power to the front wheels only.
In slippery conditions the system automatically distributes power to all four wheels automatically.
Ride and handling
The development strategy for the fourth-generation Santa Fe's suspension and steering was to improve responsiveness and vehicle stability while also enhancing comfort and overall quietness.
The suspension, consisting of McPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, delivers a smoother ride feeling by reducing the impact and vibration when driving on rough roads. The suspension has been stiffened and placed vertically to give a longer travel length for more ride comfort.
External vertical shock absorbers optimise responsiveness and stability while improving noise, vibration and harshness levels during driving. Road noise is reduced by reinforcing the floor panel and incorporating more materials in the carpet.
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist warns the driver and applies the brakes automatically to avoid collisions when vehicles approach from the side or when reversing out of narrow areas with low visibility. Using the rear corner radars, the system scans a 180-degree area behind the vehicle. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist operates once the reverse gear is engaged.
Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist alerts the driver in unsafe movements at over 60 km/h by sensing the car's position. It sounds an alarm before the car moves over white, grey and blue lines as well as Bott's dots on the road, and warns the driver acoustically and visually before inducing corrective steering to guide the driver back to a safe position.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning
Also using radar, the Blind Spot Collision Warning monitors the rear corners and, if another vehicle is detected, a visual alert appears on the exterior mirrors. If the driver then activates the indicators, an audible signal is emitted. This also applies to lane change situations in which a vehicle is detected.
Highest Passive Safety
The new-generation Santa Fe benefits from superior rigidity through the application of high strength steel, high impact energy absorption and minimised distortion in order to protect passengers in the event of a collision. The new Santa Fe was awarded with a 5-star certification in the Euro NCAP crash test.
Passive safety is enhanced by an increased body rigidity to protect passengers in the event of a collision. Thanks to hot stamping being applied over an enlarged area along with larger weld diameters, the car's overall weight is reduced while providing top-level crashworthiness. The Santa Fe features more high-strength steel than any other Hyundai vehicle with 57% - that is 15% above the previous model.
Around the interior of the Santa Fe a total of six airbags are installed (two front airbags, two side airbags and two curtain airbags from first to second row protecting both driver and passengers).
Pricing
The prices of the new Santa Fe range are:
- Santa Fe R 2.2 Premium automatic - R599 900
- Santa Fe R 2.2 Executive automatic - R659 900
- Santa Fe R 2.2 Elite automatic - R749 900.
All prices include Hyundai Automotive SA's 7-year/200 000 km manufacturer's warranty (consisting of the standard 5-year/150 000 km warranty plus the additional 2-year/50 000 km drivetrain warranty extension).
An additional part of the package is a 5-year/90 000 km service plan, and roadside assistance for 5 years or 150 000 km.
