The first batch of Hyundai's 2010 Santa Fe started arriving at dealer showrooms across the UK.
Officially going on sale 4th January, the new Santa Fe offers subtly enhanced exterior styling and improved safety features, as well as more powerful diesel engines with lower emissions.
Revisions to the design of the Santa Fe are concentrated on the finer details, and its strong silhouette is instantly recognisable, combining visual toughness with discreet style.
At the front, the black two bar grille is replaced by chrome-edged three bar version that brings more distinction and flows into the strong creases running down the bonnet. Revised headlight clusters sit above a new, more sculpted bumper which also houses new fog lights in a black surround. The rear gains a new bumper that curves neatly into more distinctive light clusters, while trapezoidal exhaust pipes and new alloy wheel designs improve the car’s stance and presence on the road.
On the inside carbon black trim replaces the previous wood finishes to highlight the Santa Fe’s modern feel, and the standard single CD/RDS radio now comes with an AUX/USB connection with full iPod control for increased functionality.
The range has been simplified, with the two-model range now comprising of entry-level Style and higher spec Premium. Style models are packed with standard equipment: 17-inch alloy wheels, reversing sensors, ESP and air conditioning are among the standard features, while moving up to Premium adds 18-inch wheels, dual climate control, heated leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver and automated lights and wipers amongst others. A new ioniser system helps to eliminate bad odours in the cabin by preventing the build up of unwanted bacteria, increasing comfort levels for passengers, and there’s also redesigned cloth trim on Style models too.
The Santa Fe retains its outstanding MPV-rivalling practicality, with the even more versatile seven-seat option available for a modest £750 on both Style and Premium models. In either version it offers a huge 969 litres of load space in a five-seat configuration – double that of some its rivals – rising to a van-like 2,247with all the seats folded. This is an increase of 34 litres over the previous model. Seven-seat versions are also fitted with a self-levelling rear suspension set up and rear privacy glass as standard, while five-seat versions get a substantial under-floor storage area that is ideal for keeping wet or dirty items away from the main boot area.
At the heart of the rejuvenated Santa Fe is a new 2.2-litre direct injection ‘R’ diesel engine that demonstrates major improvements over the already-impressive outgoing version. This Euro V compliant, all-aluminium 2199cc powerplant offers up a class-leading 194bhp – more than the six-cylinder units offered in some rival vehicles – backed by a mighty 311lb.ft of torque (322lb.ft when specified with an automatic gearbox) which amounts to improvements of 26% and 27% respectively on the previous engine.
A third-generation common rail system delivers fuel at 1800 bar for a highly efficient burn, and an electronically-controlled variable geometry turbocharger ensures sharp responses and a broad spread of performance: peak torque arrives at just 1,800rpm. The fitment of a balancer shaft ensures high levels of refinement are maintained and a diesel particulate filter is standard on all models.
These huge strides in power and efficiency give the Santa Fe an advantage over a wide range of competitors. With the six-speed manual transmission fitted, the Santa Fe can sprint to 62mph from rest in 9.8 seconds, giving it hot-hatch like acceleration. Although ultimate performance is not usually top of family 4×4 buyers’ priorities it is nice to know that it is the fastest seven-seat SUV you can buy for under £35,000.
The new 2010 Hyundai Santa fe range starts at £21,495 for the 2.2 CRDI Style 5 seater and upto £25,495 for the 2.2 CRDi Premium Automatic with 7 seats.