The newest incarnation of the Hyundai Santa Fe has raised the bar for family SUVs with its impressive style, technology, and comfort blend.
From the bold front with its commanding presence and distinctive H-shaped design elements to the compelling side profile exuding a clean and powerful sense of volume, the Santa Fe’s exterior is not exactly shy and retiring.
The robust wheel arches, luxurious alloy wheel designs, and bridge-type roof rack further enhance its appearance. In contrast, the rear design showcases understated aesthetics and a unique lighting signature.
Inside, the Santa Fe impresses with a sense of design unity and cutting-edge technology. The H-shaped hidden mood lamp infuses the cabin with stylish and unique emotions, complementing the exterior design. The dual panoramic curved display and 6.6-inch climate control offer exceptional operability, while the bidirectional multi-console and dual wireless smartphone charging pad enhance convenience and functionality.
With five-seater, six-seater, and seven-seater arrangements, the Hyundai Santa Fe’s seating system is designed for luxury and comfort. The first-row’s relaxation comfort seat with an integrated leg rest ensures optimal resting posture by optimising a weightless position and body pressure distribution, doubling the comfort level.
In the six-seater model, powered and independent second-row seats offer a luxurious and spacious cabin environment with individual reclining capabilities. The one-touch relaxation mode introduces a cushion tilting function to the fold and dive seats, promoting a more comfortable posture while ensuring easy access to luggage. Convenience is at its peak with the second-row seat remote folding, providing easy access to cargo space. Meanwhile, the third-row seat’s adjustable reclining feature ensures a comfortable seating posture. ISOFIX adds an extra layer of convenience and safety, providing a secure fastening for child car seats.
We tested the full hybrid Santa Fe. In the two-wheel drive version, it takes 9.6 seconds to reach 0-62mph, while it takes 9.8 seconds in the four-wheel drive version. We were expecting to have to push the engine harder to achieve decent performance, but this was not the case. The Santa Fe excels as a comfortable long-distance cruiser and provides a relaxing drive, thanks in part, to the acoustic glass soundproofing, which minimises wind and road noise.
A standout feature is the application of Frequency Sensitive Control dampers, which enhance the driving experience. The advanced Drive Traction System adapts to various driving conditions. At the same time, the Terrain Mode empowers you to select specific settings for snow, mud, and sand, making the Santa Fe a versatile performer. Hyundai has also focused on improving aerodynamics and cooling resistance, with active air flaps in the front bumper and an optimised underbody for enhanced airflow.
Whether you opt for the five-seater, six-seater, or seven-seater configuration, the Santa Fe provides ample cargo space, making it versatile for various lifestyles. From accommodating golf bags to providing vertical storage for road bikes, the Santa Fe’s practicality knows no bounds.
Indeed, the car will accommodate a double mattress with the rear seats folded. We slept overnight in the car quite happily – with just the usual stretch needed in the morning. Don’t worry, we hadn’t been evicted – it was all part of a media event designed to demonstrate how versatile and capacious the new Santa Fe is.
The standard smart power tailgate makes cargo loading easy (especially if you’re climbing in and out to sleep in the car), and the Digital Centre Mirror boosts rear visibility in diverse driving situations. When all the seats are back in place (without a mattress covering them!), a system even alerts you to check the rear seats for passengers after turning off the ignition, ensuring no one is left behind. What’s more, the Drive Traction System intelligently controls driving force based on road conditions, further strengthening safety.
The Santa Fe’s handy features don’t stop there – you also get seatback charging ports, a UV-C sterilisation tray, and the option to unlock and start the car using a smartphone.
In conclusion, the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe combines comfort, practicality, and cutting-edge features to deliver a great driving experience. Whether navigating rural routes, the school run, or venturing off the beaten path and stopping to sleep overnight in it, the Santa Fe is ready to take on any journey with style and sophistication.
For more information about the newest Santa Fe, click here.
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