We get behind the wheel of the acclaimed Hyundai Santa Fe – a big seven-seat SUV with critical kerb enchantment…
It’s no marvel the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has already gained so many trophies, together with the Giant Crossover of the 12 months class title on the prestigious UK Automotive of the 12 months Awards.
Boldly-styled, snug and remarkably sensible, it’s even prone to tempt patrons away from massive household SUVs provided by premium manufacturers together with Land Rover, Audi and BMW.
Beginning at £47,200 and provided as a petroleum/electrical hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, it’s accessible with a six or seven-seat structure, and different established rivals embody the Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento and Peugeot 5008.
The Santa Fe’s boxy design and distinctive H-pattern entrance gentle signature are like nothing else on the highway. Sure, the lengthy rear overhang and low-mounted taillights are divisive, however on the entire, it boasts critical highway presence.
Measuring 4,830mm (size), 1,900mm (width) and 1,770mm (top), it’s a monster multi-seat sports activities utility automobile.
And, in fact, these dimensions translate into spectacular inside house. Not solely are there three rows of seats, however with all seven seats up – the Hybrid has a 628-litre boot capability and the PHEV will get 621 litres. That rises to 711 and 704 litres respectively with the rearmost seats folded, and as much as 1,949 litres (1,942 litres) with all of the again seats folded down.
Most significantly of all – the Hyundai Santa Fe is a real seven-seater. I do know, as a result of I loaded it up with six adults (a spare seat within the center row) and set off for the seaside!
The Santa Fe’s structure is versatile, so you possibly can slide the rear rows backwards or forwards to prioritise leg room or baggage house as obligatory, and there’s nonetheless loads of house and elbow room, whereas entry to the rear seats is healthier than many rivals.
On the coronary heart of each the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid fashions is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 158bhp and an electrical motor (a 58bhp unit within the hybrid, 90bhp within the PHEV).
The Hybrid is offered with both front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, whereas the Plug-in Hybrid solely comes with the latter.
The Plug-in Hybrid’s 0-62mph time is quickest at 9.3 seconds, the Hybrid 2WD is barely slower at 9.6 seconds, and the Hybrid 4WD is available in at 9.8 seconds.
The Hybrid’s regenerative braking system costs the small 1.49kWh battery as you gradual the automotive, so there’s no must plug in.
The Plug-in Hybrid will get a 13.8kWh battery, which provides a claimed electric-only vary of 34 miles. For optimum effectivity as soon as that’s depleted, you’ll must plug in to cost the battery, in any other case it really works very like the Hybrid.
My take a look at automotive was the Hybrid mannequin with AWD in range-topping Calligraphy trim (there’s additionally Premium and Final).
Inside, the Hyundai Santa Fe has an aesthetic appear and feel, whereas the curved dashboard blends a 12.3-inch digital driver show and central infotainment display screen into one elegant panel. There’s a local weather management panel beneath that mixes rotary controls and buttons with a digital display screen.
Sensible touches embody wi-fi smartphone charging for 2 units within the centre console, space for storing beneath, an honest glovebox, door bins and varied different cubbyholes.
It’s inexperienced too, with supplies similar to recycled plastic and eco-friendly leatherette used.
Should you like a commanding driving place, then the Santa Fe is for you. Visibility is nice, aided by massive home windows and slim A-pillars. Should you want additional assist, then a digital rear-view mirror is offered, together with surround-view and reversing cameras, plus varied sensors.
There’s additionally a intelligent Blind Spot View Monitor. Whenever you point out, a dwell video of the aspect of the automotive seems in your digital driver’s show, to be able to see if there’s a bicycle owner or another hazard that you just may need missed within the aspect mirrors.
Naturally, it additionally boasts a full suite of security and driver help options.
On the highway, the Hyundai Santa Fe is straightforward to drive, regardless of its dimension. In reality, the one time you’re conscious of it’s when performing tight manoeuvres at low velocity and driving on slim nation lanes.
It will not be the swiftest SUV on paper, however for a considerable automotive, it’s greater than quick sufficient.
For probably the most half it’s refined too, with minimal highway and wind noise. Nonetheless, the comparatively small 1.6-litre engine turns into extra vocal below harsh acceleration.
The Santa Fe’s suspension irons out the worst of the lumps and bumps, although the experience is somewhat wallowy on more difficult roads with some physique lean, however general, it feels planted.
All in all, it’s surprisingly agile for its dimension, there’s loads of grip within the corners, whereas the steering is gentle and correct.
The total hybrid system works nicely, with easy transitions between low-speed electrical operating and the purpose the place the engine kicks in, and vice versa. It would additionally coast in EV mode for brief intervals.
Then we come to financial system. I received near my take a look at automotive’s official gas financial system of 38.7mpg, however that’s disappointing for a full hybrid. On steadiness, I can’t assist questioning whether or not a bigger, extra relaxed, engine would possibly work higher.
For the file, the two-wheel-drive Hybrid’s CO2 emissions are 155g/km (165g/km for the all-wheel-drive).
There are three drive modes (Eco, Sport and customisable My Drive) all accessible by way of a dial on the centre console, every modifying steering, acceleration, and shift factors for a tailor-made driving expertise.
Sport is ok for brief, enjoyable bursts on twisty roads or when overtaking, and the improved throttle sensitivity and faster gearshifts are noticeable, however Eco is greatest for longer journeys the place effectivity is the precedence.
Moreover, the Santa Fe’s Terrain Modes (Snow, Sand and Mud) are there for these odd days when excessive climate strikes or you find yourself in a boggy automotive park.
Helpful although these modes are, the Santa Fe is just not a critical off-roader like a Land Rover Discovery, as an example, nevertheless it shouldn’t embarrass you in a muddy competition discipline both.
Sadly, the Santa Fe’s disappointing towing capabilities will postpone some patrons who up to now have chosen the now extinct previous-generation diesel Santa Fe to lug round heavy caravans, horseboxes and trailers. Now, irrespective of which hybrid mannequin you go for, it will probably solely tow 1,010kg (braked).
Fortunately, one factor that hasn’t modified is Hyundai’s beneficiant five-year, limitless mileage guarantee.
In the end, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid might not prime its class for driver engagement or financial system, nor can it compete with some rivals in the case of critical off-road and towing credentials, however it’s a very cool all-round bundle at an amazing worth.
Verdict: Boasting critical highway presence, the mighty Hyundai Santa Fe is a real seven-seater SUV. Competitively-priced, snug and super-practical, it’s a implausible household cruiser with a wow issue.
Hyundai UK
