Hyundai Santa Fe priced for Aussie market

BY MATT BROGAN | 20th May 2024

HYUNDAI has detailed its fifth-generation Santa Fe for the Australian market, the ‘rugged yet refined’ large SUV now available from $55,500 plus on-road costs with petrol-electric hybrid power standard range-wide.

Pricing of the new Santa Fe range starts $9450 higher than the outgoing generation, with increases of between $2000 and $9450 found throughout the line-up.

Vying with the like of the Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger, the newly styled Santa Fe features what Hyundai says is a spacious three-row cabin and an enlarged tailgate designed to accommodate active lifestyles.

Centered upon Hyundai’s ‘Open for More’ styling concept, the Santa Fe aims to attract a younger audience and features a longer wheelbase, more generous proportions, efficient packaging, and a practical cargo area.

Six- and seven-seat configurations (the former a $500 option) will be available across three distinct grades – Santa Fe, Elite, and Calligraphy (Active and Highlander grades are discontinued) – with front- and all-wheel drive petrol-electric hybrid powertrains available.

A 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol option will arrive by the end of this year but the turbo-diesel offering has been discontinued for this generation.

Standard equipment on the base model includes front, side and rear parking sensors plus a 360-degree camera system, rain-sensing wipers, rear occupant alert, adaptive cruise control. Upholstery is cloth and the front seats are heated.

In all grades, the dashboard dominated by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch multimedia array with media system highlights including DAB+ digital radio reception, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity.

Dual-zone climate control is operated using a 6.6-inch touch display (third-row occupants also get their own fan control), there is powered driver’s seat adjustment, keyless entry with push-button start, all four windows have auto up/down, and the vehicle functions can be accessed via Hyundai’s Bluelink smartphone app which enables over-the-air updates for major vehicle systems. Also standard is a single wireless phone charger.

Exterior highlights 20-inch alloy wheels, LED taillights, and ‘Hyper silver’ grille finish.

The Elite trim level gains projector LED headlights, power passenger seat adjustment and self-dimming mirrors plus semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist 2 tech with navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

Interior upgrades include leather-appointed seats and ambient interior lighting while exterior enhancements consist of a dark chrome grille, solar-attenuating windscreen and front door glass, dual wireless phone chargers, a heated steering wheel, and Bose 12-speaker premium audio system.

The top-tier Calligraphy grade is identified by gloss black body cladding, black badging and a unique 20-inch alloy wheel design.

Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, driver’s seat position memory, two-tone leather steering wheel, head-up display and dual pane sunroof set the Calligraphy interior apart, as do the UV-C sanitising tray and digital rearview mirror.

In six-seat specification, the Calligraphy’s second row captain’s chairs have electric adjustment and a relaxation function.

Standard safety equipment is generous across the new Santa Fe range, including 10 airbags and a comprehensive list of Hyundai’s SmartSense active safety technologies.

These include forward collision avoidance with junction turning and crossing features, lane change and keeping functions, driver steering assist and auto evasive steering assist, blind-spot view and collision avoidance, safe exit assist, speed limit assist, driver attention warning, high beam assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and rear occupant reminder.

Measured against the outgoing model, the new Santa Fe is 4830mm long (+45mm), 1900mm wide (unchanged), and 1770mm tall (+60mm). It rides on a 2815mm wheelbase (+50mm).

Interior dimensions see the new Santa Fe offer 45mm more front seat legroom, but 30mm less second-row legroom, and 50mm more third-row legroom. Headroom in the front seats grows by 25mm, is unchanged in the second row, and grows by 60mm in the third row.

Cargo space is now listed at 628-1949 litres, up from 571-782 litres previously.

Hyundai Bluelink connected car services is complimentary for five years.

The dual-zone climate control system, heated and ventilated seats are controlled via a separate 6.6-inch touchscreen.

More spacious than before, the cabin boasts fold-flat second- and third-row seating, and best-in-class third-row accommodation. Four ISOFIX and five top-tether child seat mounts are included, the passenger compartment also offering eco-friendly materials across many of its soft furnishings.

Upholstery options include Obsidian Black cloth on the entry Santa Fe grade, Obsidian Black or Supersonic Grey leather or Black Ink, Forest Green, or Pecan Brown Nappa leather on other grades (the latter three a $295 option).

Beneath the bonnet, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe will be available from launch with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder SmartStream direct injected and turbocharged petrol engine and (44.2kW) electric motor hybrid driveline offering 172kW and 367Nm of total system output. Battery storage is listed at 1.49kWh.

The combination drives the wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Later in 2024, the Santa Fe will be made available with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder SmartStream direct injected and turbocharged petrol engine offering 206kW and 422Nm output. It is mated exclusively to an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures are expected to be announced at the vehicle’s Australian media launch soon.

Hyundai says the new-generation Santa Fe is characterised by a level bonnet line, H-shaped headlight signature and precision detailed fenders.

The profile is dominated by a flat roofline, generous fender volumes, robust wheel arches, short overhands, and striking 20-inch alloy wheels.

At the rear, the wider tailgate conveys stability while applying simple sculptural surfacing while H-shaped taillights complement the frontal view.

Interior styling is said to complement the Santa Fe’s exterior design language by echoing the horizontal and vertical design elements. H-shaped design motifs are applied to the instrument panel and ventilation outlets.

Locally, the Santa Fe will be offered in 10 exterior colours, including Creamy White and Terracotta Orange (solid), Abyss Black, Cyber Sage, Magnetic Force, Ocado Green, Pebble Blue, and Typhoon Silver (premium, $695 surcharge), and Creamy White and Earthy Brass (matte, $1000 surcharge).

The Hyundai Santa Fe remains backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and eight-year/160,000km high voltage battery warranty.

“Now in its fifth generation, the all-new Santa Fe brings expansive space and extensive equipment to give adventurous families an attractive, rugged, and sophisticated three-row SUV,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO Ted Lee.

“The all-new Santa Fe’s roomy third tow, expanded cargo area, and wider tailgate give customers the space to escape and enjoy the great outdoors, with an array of convenience and connectivity technologies at their fingertips.”

**2024 Hyundai Santa Fe pricing*:**

Santa Fe 1.6H (a)	$55,500	(+$9450 over 3.5P Santa Fe FWD)
Santa Fe 1.6H AWD (a)	$58,500	(+$8950 over 2.2D Santa Fe AWD)
Elite 1.6H AWD (a)	$65,000	(+$2000 over 1.6H Elite AWD)
Calligraphy 1.6H AWD (a)	$75,000	(+$5450 over 1.6H Highlander AWD)