New Santa Fe gets premium appeal

Hyundai is adding premium appeal to its all-new Santa Fe SUV, which will reach the UK in October.

First previewed in US spec at the New York motor show in April, the UK-bound Santa Fe gets a new look, a more spacious interior, a more efficient diesel engine and the option of front-wheel drive.

Hyundai says that the only carryover from the current Santa Fe is the 194bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine, which is the sole powertrain option. Its economy has been improved from 41.5mpg to 46.3mpg, and CO2 cut from 176g/km to 159g/km in the four-wheel-drive Santa Fe when fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The new front-drive model boasts even lower figures, of 47.9mpg and 155g/km. A six-speed auto gearbox is optional on the four-wheel-drive car.

The revised look of the Santa Fe is a long way removed from the sturdy styling of the current Santa Fe. However, Hyundai insists that the SUV has lost none of its rugged appeal, adding that the car stays true to Hyundai’s value roots in the amount of standard equipment that it carries. This includes air-con, 18-inch alloys, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity and the firm’s new ‘active bonnet’ safety system, which raises the bonnet by 60mm if a pedestrian collision is detected.

Mid-level Premium trim is expected to be the best-seller; it adds climate control, sat-nav and leather seats to the base Style model’s spec. Premium SE is the range-topper, and includes a panoramic sunroof and 19-inch alloys. 

The Santa Fe is a five-seater as standard, with two optional folding rear seats in the boot. Both models share the same 4600mm length and 2700mm wheelbase. 

The new Santa Fe is priced from £25,495 in base five-seat Style spec with front-wheel drive, an increase of £2795 over the current base model, which has four-wheel drive.