Hyundai sticks with $36,990 for new Santa Fe

HYUNDAI Australia has announced a sharp starting price of $36,990 plus on-road costs for its third-generation Santa Fe seven-seat SUV ahead of its official launch in mid-September.

First examples of the new model are now entering showrooms, with three different specification levels and a pair of four-cylinder engines – a 2.4-litre petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel – to be available.

As expected, Hyundai has bucked the trend in the SUV segment by ditching the front-drive configuration available in the previous generation, with all new models to be exclusively all-wheel-drive propositions.

Designed at Hyundai’s Californian design studio, the bolder new Santa Fe debuts the company’s new ‘Storm Edge’ styling language with its aggressive hexagonal front grille, low profile roof rails, sweeping side character lines.

The range will kick off with the petrol-powered, six-speed manual Active ($36,990 plus on-road costs or an extra $2000 with the six-speed automatic), with diesel versions to cost an extra $3000.

In comparison, the previous entry-level Santa Fe (called the SLX) kicked of from $37,990 in comparable all-wheel-drive guise when powered by the carry-over 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine.

Hyundai also offered a front-drive SLX from $36,990 powered by the old 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.

Somewhat surprisingly, the other two specifications – Elite and Highlander – are available only with the 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine matched exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The mid-range Elite will retail for $45,990 (up $2000 on the previous version) while the flagship Highlander will start at $49,990 (up $1500).

Metallic paint costs an extra $595 on all models.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia director of marketing Oliver Mann recently told GoAuto that petrol versions of the old model accounted for a measly five per cent of total sales, which may go some way to explaining the company’s decision to go solely for diesel power at the top-end.

The revised R-Series diesel engine produces 145kW/436Nm (421Nm with the manual gearbox) – the same as the old model – with combined fuel consumption claimed to be as low as 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres.

The Theta II 2.4-litre GDi petrol engine – a version of which is also used in the Hyundai i45 sedan – produces 141kW/242Nm while consuming 9.0L/100km on the combined cycle with both transmissions.

All variants come standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear view camera and rear park assist, a 4.3-inch touch-screen and a 40:20:40 seven-seat configuration with a sliding and reclining second row and 50:50 flat-fold third row seats.

The mid-range Elite gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touch-screen satellite navigation system, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror with compass, rain-sensing wipers, leather and leatherette seats and premium audio with 10-speaker sound system.

The flagship Highlander adds 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front and second row seating, electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seat, HID Xenon headlights and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Standard across the range are seven airbags, plus a host of safety aids like Vehicle Stability Management, Downhill Brake Control, brake assist with electronic brake-force distribution and hill-start assist.

As with the recently introduced i30 small hatch, the Santa Fe also includes as standard an electric power steering system with three-mode Flex Steer (with comfort, normal and sports settings) and premieres Hyundai’s Advanced Traction Cornering Control system.

As with all Hyundai models, the Santa Fe will get Australian-specific suspension tune.

The Santa Fe also gets a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, three years of Navteq map updates and up to seven years of free roadside assist. Also included is the company’s newly-launched three-year capped price servicing plan.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe pricing (plus on-roads):
2.4L GDi petrol Active	$36,990
2.4L GDi petrol Active (a)	$38,990
2.2L CRDi diesel Active	$39,990
2.2L CRDi diesel Active (a)	$41,990
2.2L CRDi deisel Elite (a)	$45,990
2.2L CRDi diesel Highlander (a)	$49,990