Join The Santa Fe Trail With The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV.
Join the Santa Fe Trail with Hyundai’s latest version of the SUV.
Hyundai has launched the latest version of its popular SUV, the Santa Fe. It has changed internally and externally and oozes luxury in an ocean of space for passengers and cargo. Jeremy Webb was fortunate to test the car when he needed a people carrier and a removal van
The Santa Fe Trail relates to the exodus of people on the east coast of the USA who headed west for new beginnings, the promise of a piece of land, and better living conditions. The trail took wagon trains to Santa Fe, which is now the state capital of New Mexico. Although I didn’t jump in the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV to head out west, I did have to travel east to Canterbury to become a removal man for the day when my nephew moved from University digs to a flat of his own. I also had to utilise the gargantuan internal carrying space to carry a multitude of parts and products to renovate my house.
Some may take an SUV to a motor circuit to test drive it, but I prefer to try to mimic the conditions and activities that a vehicle is designed for when I have one to test. Tens of thousands of people experience the two situations mentioned above, and in most cases, they won’t have a vehicle that can cope. Investing in a Hyundai Santa Fe will give you a car with plenty of flexibility to perform daily tasks and many more.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has two engine choices: regular and plug-in hybrid. They both have a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder with 158bhp and an electric motor in the six-speed automatic gearbox (a 58bhp unit in the hybrid, 90bhp in the PHEV). The performance isn’t going to blow you away, but you can push it along at a reasonable rate when you need to.
Hyundai has extended the length of the Santa Fe to provide greater interior space than the previous model. The company has also made it look chunkier with many right angles, and it looks fab.
The interior also looks lovely and has all the features of a modern car. Hyundai makes the Santa Fe look luxurious, and it feels like it. You have a curved array of two 12.3-inch screens—a driver display and a central touchscreen.
Our model had a head-up display, and there are physical controls for infotainment shortcuts.
The seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the front is widely adjustable with heating and memory functions. There is a wireless phone charger and plenty of charging ports dotted around. Occupants get two gloveboxes with a shelf between them, storage space under the centre console and room for two phones up front.
Rear passengers get an extra drawer, and the armrest storage can be opened from the front and back seats.
All passengers have plenty of space and never feel cramped or squashed. Third-row passengers also get cupholders, charging ports, and an air vent with fan control.
When setting off, the Hyundai Santa Fe starts using the electric motor, but the petrol engine quickly cuts in to boost performance. Once on the move, you may find the suspension a tad soft as it floats over bumps and rolls in the corners, but you can push it hard into a twisty as there is excellent grip. You can still have fun driving a big seven-seat car.
The driving position is lovely, and the high view allows superb vision all around the car.
Competition comes from Peugeot’s 5008, Skoda’s Kodiaq and the Nissan X-Trail, but the Hyundai Santa Fe holds up against all of these.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has reasonable fuel economy, at a stated 37.6mpg, and a full tank range of 554 miles, perfect for European road trips.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is practical, versatile, and luxurious. Combine these with its enjoyment to drive and travel in, and you have everything you and your passengers need from a car. Its seven-seat ability makes it perfect for large families looking for an MPV but wanting a car rather than something like a van. When you only need five seats, the third row stashes away, and you get a vast boot for everything a family requires.
£43800 starting price.