All current Hyundai models are about style and the all-new Santa Fe is certainly no exception. Gone are the days when SUVs were expected to have a rough and rugged look, the South Korean car maker has given its large crossover SUV flowing lines that look almost futuristic.
Even better from our point of view, the lead designer is an Australian. Thirty-seven-year-old Casey Hyun is of Korean ancestry but was born in Australia. Highly regarded globally, he points the way to the future for the Australian automotive business, a future where high costs may make it all but impossible to manufacture cars here, but where we can still be heavily involved in the design and engineering processes.
Hyundai Santa Fe, now in its third generation, is longer and wider than previously but, in a sign of the times, is lower. Only a small minority of buyers are looking for off-road SUVs these days. They want a big practical station wagon to cart kids.
Santa Fe can carry two adults and five children and still have a decent amount of luggage space, 537 litres even when all the seats are in use. Four adults and three juniors will still find room to move. The second row of seats has a sensible 40/20/40 split and can also be adjusted forward and backwards to further improve versatility.
The lower body not only provides added style, but also aids aerodynamics.
Better airflow benefits fuel economy as well as making for a quieter interior.
Interior styling is as futuristic as the outer body, with a dashboard that flows in three directions rather than just the usual two.
Power comes from either a four-cylinder 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine or a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol.
We road tested both engines and found the petrol powerplant to have decent performance on the level and good grunt for overtaking, but to struggle a bit at times on hills where it had to be revved hard to make it work.
The diesel was our preferred choice, making light work of just about any terrain.
Value for money is exceptional, with the large Santa Fe station wagon beginning the price list at just $36,990 for Active with a petrol engine and manual gearbox. It ranges up to a still reasonable $49,990 for a Santa Fe Highlander diesel with the six-speed automatic transmission.
