For example, do not drag along with model upgrades. The fourth generation Santa Fe came out in 2018, and see – “feislifts” is here!
“When Hyundai released the new Santa Fe a few years ago, its design surprised many. One can understand why. The car looked radically different than before. Couldn’t figure out which lights are which. The architecture has been preserved, but something has been changed, and the car looks more prestigious, ”says Normunds Avotiņš.
A similar picture emerges as we take a closer look at the new model year Santa Fe from the other end.
“Korean machine design has become so self-sufficient that there is no need to copy others. However, sometimes it happens. Santa Fe stripe and lights remind me of nothing? I’ll turn it on now. It looks a bit like the Audi Q7. ”
And would that be all modernization? The most important thing is actually hidden from our eyes. Instead of one Santa Fe, Skandi Motors can now offer two or, in fact, even three!
Hyundai keeps pace with the times. The new Santa Fe has 3 different engines. We have diesel, but there are 2 hybrids available – self-charging and plug in. Santa Fe can now also be bought with a staple.
The four-cylinder, 2.2-liter diesel with 202 horsepower is still the most affordable Santa Fe.
It cannot be overlooked that the new engine palette is very similar to the technically related Kia Sorento. The eight-speed dual-clutch and countless driving modes also first appeared elsewhere. To evaluate what Hyundai has created on its own, you need to see the salon.
“The steering wheel, the virtual panel with round pictures from the blind cameras and the widescreen display are already seen somewhere. A complete novelty is the sloping center console like the Audi A8 once. Under it there is a shelf for various details. But where then is the wireless charger? It is cleverly hidden in one of the compartments. The phone can be placed vertically and does not take up space unnecessarily, ”continues Avotiņš.
Hyundai places great emphasis on physical buttons. The big screen is not feature rich and the main features can be found here. I want to jump into Auto Hold, no need to look anywhere, it’s here. Climate, radio and – yes – gearbox.
“We have understood and accepted that the old knobs are no longer in fashion. But what next? Electronic levers like Audi, steering lever like “mersim” or Kia wheel? Hyundai chooses buttons like an electric car! Overall not bad, just the keys are a bit delaying and it interferes with maneuvering in the parking lot.
That’s interesting. The new Santa Fe also drives better. In the past, the machine was stressed soft and smooth. Comfort is not lost, it is even quieter because there are double side windows. If at all there is a Korean car that has the power to break down the line between a premium and a mass SUV, then this is one of them. It must be said, however, that this achievement is not entirely free. “
Hyundai Santa Fe with diesel costs between 45 and 52 thousand euros. The hybrid seems to be cheaper, but only in the Comfort package, which the diesel does not have at all.
“When the first excitement is over, I recommend changing places and sitting in the back. I like the suspension and the car is really comfortable. There is plenty of space and there are sliding seats. If we want to put someone in the third row, then we will have to move. Stop, but why does the new Santa Fe cabin seem wider at the elbows and have so much space in the back? It doesn’t tend to be in Feislift models! Let’s reveal the secret – in fact, this is a completely new model. In order to integrate hybrid technology and other things, Hyundai had to move the big crossover to a completely new platform, ”sums up Avotiņš.
Verdict
The upgraded Hyundai Santa Fe is driving so cool that if I had to choose between the Santa Fe and the Volvo XC90 at this point, I’m not sure how it would end.
