Outstanding Diesel Engine Is Heart Of Santa FE 'R'
At first glance the Santa Fe 'R' looks much like its immediate predecessor but the minor exterior revisions cloak a radical engineering upgrade. Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) is on a roll at the moment with Australian sales up some 36 per cent in the last year against an overall market decline of 13 per cent, and the company's latest iteration of its popular Santa Fe promises a continuation of this trend.
An all-new diesel engine ('R' series), choice between six-speed transmissions, upgraded suspension and a five-star ANCAP safety test result are at the heart of what deserves to be judged as effectively a new model.
The 2.2-litre 'R' series diesel engine, developed by a team of 150 engineers, sets a new standard for its class, producing 145 kW of power backed by 421 Nm of torque for the manual version and a whopping 436 Nm in automatic guise. Its third generation Bosch common rail system has piezo-electronic injectors which deliver unprecedented accuracy and control for that much sought-after daily double of improved performance with reduced fuel consumption.
The 16-valve dual overhead camshaft engine employs a steel timing chain, a stiffened crankcase housing, weight-saving features such as serpentine belt with isolation pulley, and extensive use of plastics. It is teamed with either the existing six-speed manual or the clever new six-speed automatic transmission with electronic sequential manual mode, developed in-house at HMC.
Stylish carbon graphite style highlights and standard black leather trim in the topline Highlander model are among the range of minor revisions which distinguish the Santa Fe 'R' from its predecessor. All variants are seven-seaters but the rearmost occupants will need to be shorter than about 170 cm if they are to spend much time in the vehicle.
There is effectively no boot when the rearmost seats are erected but when the Santa Fe is used as a five-occupant wagon, there is generous luggage space and good legroom for all, even when the driver is 185 cm tall. Ingress and egress to the third row is good.
Despite being a few years old, the Santa Fe's styling still looks fresh and reasonably original. The Highlander with its standard 18-inch wheels is especially appealing and even the entry level SLX gets smart 17-inch alloys. A new radiator with a flying chrome wing element, streamlined roof racks and more stylish side sill mouldings give the 'R' fresh appeal.
In summary, the Santa Fe 'R' has great presence for an SUV that opens its account at $37,990 for the SLX, through $43,990 for the mid-range Elite, to $48,490 for the plushly equipped Highlander.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was how quiet, smooth-riding and comfortable the latest Santa Fe is. Performance from the diesel engine running through the six-speed automatic transmission is strong. The fuel economy is best illustrated by a class win in the 2009 Global Green Challenge where 5.1 litres per 100 kilometres between Darwin and Adelaide shows the brilliance of the work done by HMC's vast team of engineers in developing the new engine and transmission.
The suspension upgrade gives the wagon a more refined and nimble feel. The steering is sharper than before but is still a touch light and indirect for sports-minded drivers. It also has some offroad ability, although not of Land Cruiser dimensions.
Considered as a seven-seater, the Santa Fe has no space remaining for luggage, which limits its otherwise impressive versatility. Enthusiasts will prefer sharper steering, despite the improvement over its predecessor.
The Santa Fe 'R', along with the increasingly successful 130i, symbolises the new Hyundai. As the company thinks globally, its products are developing to the point where they bear direct comparison with rivals from Japan, while offering superior value for money.
The brilliant new diesel engine puts the Santa Fe 'R' into a class of its own with the topline Highlander variant adding sufficient luxury and style to constitute a compelling alternative not only to Japanese compact SUVs but also the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
The strongest rival for the Santa Fe 'R' is the brand new Kia Sorento which shares much of its mechanical componentry, Kia being part of the Hyundai group.
But arguably the Hyundai name still carries more weight in image-conscious buyers' minds. The new diesel engine lifts the Santa Fe above all other rivals in the class, and even without this distinguishing point, it offers superior value for money to the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and suchlike. Along with its stablemate Sorento, the Santa Fe 'R' highlights the technological advance of the Korean automotive industry.
Likes
Brilliant new-generation diesel engine, impressive refinement, excellent ride quality
Dislikes
Steering needs more feel and quickness, use of both third row seats consumes all luggage space
