GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Hyundai - Santa Fe - 5-dr wagon range

Launch Story

28 Oct 2008

HYUNDAI has titivated its two-and-a-half year-old mid-sized SUV with minor changes to the grille and door mirrors (they now incorporate turn-indicators), as well as new trim colours and an upgraded audio unit with MP3/USB usability.

Prices remain the same as before, meaning that the entry-level 138kW/248Nm 2.7-litre V6 petrol kicks off at $33,990, while the 114kW/343Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder CRDi turbo-diesel starts from $36,990.

The V6 petrol is offered with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox, while the CRDi is a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic proposition.

The V6 petrol’s fuel consumption is 10.4 litres per 100km (auto: 10.6), compared to the diesel’s 7.3L/100km (auto: 8.3).

It’s the same story with carbon dioxide emissions, ranging from 198 to 218 grams per kilometre for the diesel, and 256 to 258g/km for the V6.

Hyundai has dropped the 108kW/309Nm 3.8-litre Lambda V6 petrol engine from the line-up for now, but it will return sometime next year. Currently the diesel accounts for around 75 per cent of all Santa Fe sales.

Three models are available – SX, SLX and Elite – in either five or seven-seater and front-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations.

A new addition for the MY09 range is Hyundai’s Active Locking Operation (HALO), which automatically locks all vehicles from 40km/h and then unlock them again when the key is removed from the ignition.

Of more interest to adventurers who venture out to Santa Fe is its Trek ‘n’ Tow kit.

This comprises of a set of four specially graded springs and damper units that result in better ground clearance. The upshot is improved off-road and towing control. It also increases the tow ball load from 150kg to 180kg. All models have a braked trailer towing capacity of 2000kg.

To recap, the Santa Fe’s engine is mounted transversely, while the body is a monocoque design rather than the heavier ladder-frame construction.

4WD models employ a part-time on-demand system. Using electronics to determine traction loss, it switches from front to all-wheel drive, determining which of the four wheels has the best grip.

The driver can also select a dash-mounted dial for 50/50 front/rear drive up to 30km/h for more demanding 4WD situations, and can rely on Hyundai’s TCB Tight Corner Braking function to aid turns on hard grippy surfaces.

The suspension consists of MacPherson struts and coil springs up front and a multi-link set-up out back.

It is encompassed by an 2700mm wheelbase, and the turning circle is just 10.9 metres, half a metre less than the Territory and Kluger.

All Santa Fe models include stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, active head restraints for the two front occupants, and dual front, front side and curtain airbags – which extend to the third row in seven-seater versions.

Other attractions include face-level ventilation for all outboard occupants, an air-conditioned cool box, a second ‘parents’ interior rear-view mirror, sun-visor extenders, over 30 storage areas and a kerbside centre seat portion that folds forward without the need for headrest removal or front-seat movement when the third row needs accessing.

Cargo volume, rated at 969 litres, can be extended by almost 2.3 times to 2213 litres by folding seat rows two (which also split folds) and three – both of which conveniently split-fold for passenger/parcel permutation options.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Santa Fe

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Santa Fe pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here