The brand new Hyundai Santa Fe represents some of the revolutionary redesigns lately, with a good-looking if forgettable design changed by what’s finest described because the love youngster of a Ford Flex, an Ioniq 5 and a few type of Land Rover. For a humble household hauler, its design is daring and even controversial. Yay, good for Hyundai. Secure design is boring.
I need to discuss one key component of that redesign, although. As you may clearly inform, the brand new Santa Fe is so much boxier than its predecessor and certainly most of its opponents. As we have discovered time and time once more right here on This Previous Baggage Check, boxy is healthier with regards to stowing baggage behind a automobile. Formally, the Santa Fe is listed as having 14.6 cubic-feet behind it is third row, which is nicely off the tempo of many three-row crossovers, however then the Santa Fe can also be significantly smaller than many three-row crossovers. In order for you one thing greater, Hyundai will promote you a Palisade.
I can verify that there’s more room within the Palisade’s third row, even when the Santa Fe is surprisingly OK for adults (so long as the second row scoots their seat up, which should not be a difficulty as there ought to nonetheless be loads of room up there). However what about cargo house? What is the sensible distinction between the 14.6-cubic-foot Santa Fe and the 18-cubic-foot Palisade? Additionally, how does it evaluate to different three-row autos, together with the mechanically associated Kia Sorento? (Observe these hyperlinks for his or her baggage assessments)
I feel these three pics are very telling. Santa Fe prime, Palisade decrease left, Sorento decrease proper.
Be aware that the Palisade has an extended cargo space ground. Be aware that the Sorento’s cargo ground size is much like the Santa Fe’s. BUT! Discover how a lot boxier the Santa Fe is in comparison with each. Particularly, it would not taper inward because the Sorento’s does.
For the document, the Sorento and Santa Fe have nearly the identical third-row legroom determine, so the final floor-space dimensions are related. It is up excessive the place the Santa Fe virtually actually enjoys its 2-cubic-foot benefit over its Kia platform mate (12.6 cubic-feet)
Just like the Palisade, the Santa Fe has a reclining third row, and never solely that, it reclines fairly generously. Usually, I set the recline to an angle I deem comfy earlier than testing. I’m doing that right here, however I’m additionally going with a barely extra upright angle I’d deem “tolerable” as I’ve on just a few different events. You’ll be able to see the distinction above. I examined with each angles.
That is the underfloor house, so this wasn’t any assist for storing baggage. It is also virtually equivalent to what you’d discover below the Sorento’s cargo ground.
The Palisade’s underfloor house doesn’t have the jack and many others. in it, however I deemed it to be extra for storage than additional baggage house. The Palisade was truly my first baggage check put up, although, and I’ve typically questioned if I might’ve made the underfloor house work. The ground is not detachable, although, so I believe it might hamper loading. Once more, most likely one thing to retest. Both approach, that is the disclaimer.
Let’s get to Santa Fe Check 1 with the third row at “consolation angle.” As with each Baggage Check, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that might have to be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 huge, 11 deep), two black roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller inexperienced roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embrace my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
That is the largest and smallest curler luggage. The Sorento managed one of many medium curler luggage and the small curler luggage. I attempted to place fancy bag on prime of the inexperienced one, however the liftgate smashed it.
So, with third-row passengers being A-OK comfy, that is what you may handle. Higher than the Sorento, however approach lower than the Palisade (4 greatest luggage) and certainly virtually all the opposite three-row crossover SUVs I’ve examined. Once more, although, the Santa Fe is smaller than these on goal.
Now lets put the third row on the “tolerable recline” angle.
Two choices right here. The one on the left is the 2 greatest luggage and the smallest curler. It is awfully perilous, although, because the inexperienced bag WILL fall out once I open the tailgate. Look out beneath! It additionally blocks the rearview, however you may nonetheless see out the left facet and this Santa Fe has a rearview digital camera mirror, so we’re OK on visibility. The headrests and seatback preserve the inexperienced bag from flying ahead, too.
Nonetheless, the one on the correct equals extra quantity and a greater use of the house. This is likely one of the large luggage, a medium curler, the small curler and fancy bag. That is higher than the Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-90 might handle, each utilizing what I’d take into account a “comfy” seating angle although that is clearly so-not a scientific determine.
Against this, the Palisade might maintain the 4 greatest luggage, so it unquestionably and unsurprisingly enjoys a cargo benefit. Nonetheless, the Santa Fe did significantly better than I used to be anticipating given its quick cargo space size. Boxy is as soon as once more higher, or not less than, helpful.
Now, for all the pieces that may’t match, the Santa Fe XRT consists of these nice raised roof rails. No want to purchase proprietary cross bars and screw into mounting factors in what are principally faux rails. You should utilize your individual tools that is simple to take on and off, together with between autos. This makes it simpler to mount a cargo field on prime.
However, that is not all …
The Santa Fe has these distinctive field doorways on all sides. Push them in to disclose a seize deal with beneath. Seize onto it, put a foot on the tire and hoist your self up for loading no matter onto the roof. This positive looks as if a terrific function (although I’m curious as to how a lot gunk may accumulate in right here through the years). The Santa Fe can be outfitted with a trailer hitch for hitch-based cargo options, be it a motorcycle rack or Yakima’s nifty Exo system.
Personally, I might fairly have these options available to increase my automobile’s cargo capability for these instances once I actually want it and revel in the advantages of a smaller automobile the remainder of the time than going with an enormous, Palisade-sized automobile on a regular basis. The distinction actually is not that a lot. I actually dig the Santa Fe’s dimension, packaging, and yep, boxiness.
