The rise of Hyundai as a car company has been remarkable. Starting as a subsidiary of a Korean heavy industry ‘chaebol’ or conglomerate assembling Ford vehicles (Cortinas mainly) under licence in the 1960s it began manufacturing within a decade.
It survived the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s, acquired Kia Motors and is now a top five world-wide brand with Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen and Ford.
Hyundai was quick to see the potential for compact SUVs in North America and Santa Fe is a nod to the kind of frontier spirit still around in states such as New Mexico.
It survived the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s, acquired Kia Motors and is now a top five world-wide brand with Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen and Ford.
Hyundai was quick to see the potential for compact SUVs in North America and Santa Fe is a nod to the kind of frontier spirit still around in states such as New Mexico.
Places like that gave the company a foothold in (then) the world’s largest automobile market. A manufacturing plant at Montgomery Alabama soon followed.
The first Santa Fe arrived here in 2001 but its successor in 2006 was the first of a new generation of highly competitive cars. SUVs are now a ‘parallel universe’ of small, lower & upper medium, large and luxury vehicles.
Hyundai has ‘book-ended’ the mid-range effectively with the lower-medium (European built) ix35 from 2010 and upper-medium Santa Fe, the current version of which arrived late 2011 for 2012.
The first Santa Fe arrived here in 2001 but its successor in 2006 was the first of a new generation of highly competitive cars. SUVs are now a ‘parallel universe’ of small, lower & upper medium, large and luxury vehicles.
Hyundai has ‘book-ended’ the mid-range effectively with the lower-medium (European built) ix35 from 2010 and upper-medium Santa Fe, the current version of which arrived late 2011 for 2012.
Kia Sorento is a sister car to the Santa Fe (as Sportage is to ix35) and, as with most in this class now, bodywork is unitary (no separate chassis) and there is no transfer box for high/low ratio gearing.
However, a new 2.2 turbodiesel engine in 2010 brought with it a six-speed gearbox (manual or automatic) which exploits the available torque more effectively.
Basically front wheel drive, the rear axle kicks in at the first indication of slip and can take up to 50% of propulsion. This is sufficient for bad weather or the odd excursion off-tarmac. A 50-50 front-rear lock helps if conditions deteriorate together with hill-descent and hill-hold for more demanding terrain.
This is not a vehicle for tackling the world’s wilder wildernesses but has a fair degree of off-road ability. An array of electronic devices oversees braking, traction and stability including trailer anti-sway.
However, a new 2.2 turbodiesel engine in 2010 brought with it a six-speed gearbox (manual or automatic) which exploits the available torque more effectively.
Basically front wheel drive, the rear axle kicks in at the first indication of slip and can take up to 50% of propulsion. This is sufficient for bad weather or the odd excursion off-tarmac. A 50-50 front-rear lock helps if conditions deteriorate together with hill-descent and hill-hold for more demanding terrain.
This is not a vehicle for tackling the world’s wilder wildernesses but has a fair degree of off-road ability. An array of electronic devices oversees braking, traction and stability including trailer anti-sway.
Front wheel drive (4x2) versions are offered (£25,495/£26,695 – 5/7 seat) since, apparently, these cars appeal to buyers looking for a large estate or MPV without the (slight) fuel consumption and CO2 penalties of 4x4. Majority take-up is 4x4 however.
The latest Santa Fe is longer, wider and lower than before despite retaining a similar wheelbase. Much effort has gone into fit and finish - interior especially. Cabin space is improved as is the load area. On seven-seat versions the two rearmost “+2” fold flat into the floor and the middle 40/20/40 split row slides and reclines.
Style, Premium and Premium SE are the current model variants on offer and the 2.2 CRDi unit’s fuel consumption and CO2 profile has been improved. Price premium for seven seats is £1200 and automatic transmission costs £1700. Entry models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, rear park assist, self-levelling rear suspension (seven-seat), air-conditioning, Bluetooth communication and heated front seats, etc. Premium adds touch-screen satellite navigation, rear view camera and so on. Premium SE gets 19-inch alloys and a pretty full spec.
Kia Sorento range here is 4x4 only so there’s not much in it price-wise but it does offer a seven-year warranty. Mitsubishi Outlander, Volvo XC60, Land Rover Freelander are amongst its more substantial upper-medium rivals (as is Nissan’s Pathfinder perhaps which is larger than the X-Trail). Nothing revolutionary but the Santa Fe stacks up well against the top players - competitive, credible and a compelling proposition if the price is right.
Facts & Figures: £25,495-£34,395; Premium seven-seat sixspeed auto £31,895; 118mph; 0-62mph 10.1 seconds; 41.5mpg combined official figure; 30/31 on test; 33/34 trip computer; CO2 178g/km; Road Tax.’I’-£220 (manual G/£175 and 35+ mpg perhaps); Insurance 18E-20E (1-50); Unlimited mileage 5 year transferable warranty; Max.braked trailer weight 2,500kg (manual transmission).
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
The latest Santa Fe is longer, wider and lower than before despite retaining a similar wheelbase. Much effort has gone into fit and finish - interior especially. Cabin space is improved as is the load area. On seven-seat versions the two rearmost “+2” fold flat into the floor and the middle 40/20/40 split row slides and reclines.
Style, Premium and Premium SE are the current model variants on offer and the 2.2 CRDi unit’s fuel consumption and CO2 profile has been improved. Price premium for seven seats is £1200 and automatic transmission costs £1700. Entry models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, rear park assist, self-levelling rear suspension (seven-seat), air-conditioning, Bluetooth communication and heated front seats, etc. Premium adds touch-screen satellite navigation, rear view camera and so on. Premium SE gets 19-inch alloys and a pretty full spec.
Kia Sorento range here is 4x4 only so there’s not much in it price-wise but it does offer a seven-year warranty. Mitsubishi Outlander, Volvo XC60, Land Rover Freelander are amongst its more substantial upper-medium rivals (as is Nissan’s Pathfinder perhaps which is larger than the X-Trail). Nothing revolutionary but the Santa Fe stacks up well against the top players - competitive, credible and a compelling proposition if the price is right.
Facts & Figures: £25,495-£34,395; Premium seven-seat sixspeed auto £31,895; 118mph; 0-62mph 10.1 seconds; 41.5mpg combined official figure; 30/31 on test; 33/34 trip computer; CO2 178g/km; Road Tax.’I’-£220 (manual G/£175 and 35+ mpg perhaps); Insurance 18E-20E (1-50); Unlimited mileage 5 year transferable warranty; Max.braked trailer weight 2,500kg (manual transmission).
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
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