HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2021
Supposedly just a facelift of the Gen-4 model that arrived here in 2019, the new one launched recently is more than that.
It’s built on a new platform although wheelbase remains the same. It’s marginally longer, wider and taller. Appearance-wise, T-shaped LED lights merge into a new and wider cascading grille.
The rear has also been revised, with an LED strip across its width. Wider wheel arches can accommodate optional 20-inch wheels.
There’s also a redesigned centre stack with push-button gear selector comprising three squares marked R, P and D. The transmission is Hyundai’s in-house wet clutch DCT that works well and required no changes. Should you want to shift manually, there are paddles.
A new drive mode selector offers Eco, Sport and Comfort modes to which the awd Elite adds terrain control. It also has a 10.25-inch touchscreen, now upgraded to include Android Auto and CarPlay, while the driver works with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Then there’s the new Smartstream engine. It displaces 41cc less than the old one, features an aluminium block and is 19kg lighter.
Hyundai reverted to a timing belt in place of the chain, compression ratio is 16.0:1, fuel pressure increased to 2 200 bar and valve gear changes help to reduce friction; all to improve fuel economy.
The local model range has reduced from three to two - Executive FWD and Elite AWD - with Elite gaining some special features. These include heated front seats and steering wheel, larger alloy wheels (19”, with 20” optional), electrical seat adjusters, rear window curtains, panoramic sunroof and a “Hey Mom, you’ve forgotten the kid!” alarm.
It’s naturally a few kilograms heavier, so it accelerates to 100km/h two-tenths of a second slower
Standard safety kit covers most of the bases: ABS brakes with EBD, ESP, VSM, DBC and HAC; six airbags; automatic locking; safe exit assistance that keeps the back doors locked if a passing vehicle is detected; rear cross traffic warning; smart key entry and starting; auto-defogging windscreen with rain sensor and de-icer; self-levelling headlights and a reversing camera that now includes rearview monitoring (is the trailer still attached?).
We could tell you more, but these new Santa Fe models offer more kit than most other sevenseaters – worth remembering if someone points out that Brand F’s alternative looks slightly cheaper.
Colours? There’s Lagoon Blue, White Cream, Typhoon Silver, Phantom Black, Taiga Brown or Magnetic Force.
The familiarisation run through North Coast countryside was all on asphalt although Deon the PR guy assured anyone interested that he could show them a nice stretch of gravel close to the vehicle swopping point.
The run showed that the cars are spacious, comfortable, accelerate and handle well and the gearbox does all that’s advertised.
We look forward to putting a test vehicle through its paces.
Information gathered at a manufacturer-sponsored launch event