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The new Sante Fe moves upmarket, and adds a 2WD company car tax cutter to the range

Hyundai has added much improved quality to the Sante Fe’s inherent practicality
And company car tax is down to 25% on some models – business buyers take note.
Hyundai car review: PETER NUNN
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26 September 2012

Hyundai Sante Fe SUV
Hyyndai have added more room, better design, and much improved quality to the 3rd generation Sante Fe SUV

 

Hyundai Sante Fe Premium 4WD 7-Seat 2.2 CRDi Automatic

Hyundai car review: PETER NUNN

What is it?

Hyundai has worked major changes in putting this third generation Santa Fe on the road. The new model is bigger, roomier and marks a notable shift up in quality and all-round efficiency.  Something of a looker, too, with stylish all-new shape for this SUV.

On sale in the UK from October, this third generation Santa Fe comes in a broad variety of forms, all based around a reworked 2.2-litre four cylinder turbo diesel offering lower C02 emissions and improved economy versus the outgoing Mk 2.

You get a choice of 6-speed transmissions – manual and auto – although most buyers (68%) are expected to choose the latter.

Hyundai is now offering 2WD manual versions of the Sante Fe in the UK for the first time to boost the eco factor – and broaden the big Hyundai’s appeal to company car drivers. However, the bulk of the range goes with 4WD.

Hyundai SUV
Improvements in quality are especially noticeable inside. The materials are better and the Sante Fe is lavishly equipped

You also need to decide on the five or seven-seater configurations and which trim level to go for, since there are three: Style, Premium and Premium SE.

Clearly, this is the most sophisticated Santa Fe to date, sporting new design and technology and moving with the times to reflect the growing and ever more competitive SUV market. While the Sante Fe’s price has gone up,  Hyundai has at the same time put a lot of effort into lowering running and repair costs.

Hyundai says a signficant move in Benefit in Kind company car tax change, from 29% to 25%, makes it attractive to business users too.

Hyundai SUV
Much sharper looks, and with a suspension set-up tailored to UK roads, the Sante Fe feels safe and comfortable to drive

 

What’s hot?

  • The Sante Fe now sports a more premium look and feel, inside and out. The new shape, another rendition of Hyundai’s ‘Storm Edge’ design philosophy, looks sharp and contemporary. Cabin plastics and materials also step up.
  • The new shell, 40 mm longer, 5 mm wider yet 45 mm lower, offers a useful stretch in cabin space. Front legroom increases by 38mm. Rear legroom is up 45 mm and first row headroom improves by 11 mm. As before, five and seven-seater options up for grabs.
  • Reworked 2.2 diesel engine is significantly greener. With the 2WD model, combinined economy is 47.9 mpg and sub 160 g/km C02 emissions (actually 155 g/km) will appeal to company car  buyers.
  • The manual 4WD model is almost on a par, with 46.3 mpg and 159 g/km. The 4WD auto delivers 41.5 mpg, but C02 emissions hit 178 g/km.
  • Equipment levels are high across the range and a variety of safety features  including Trailer Stability Assist (useful for owners towing a boat, for example), are standard issue.
    Hyundai SUV
    The body shell is bigger, so there’s more room inside. The rear seats in the 7-seater are best kept for children
  • To drive, the Sante Fe is impressively smooth, quiet and refined,with the 2.2 diesel engine up ahead well subdued. There’s a massive wall of torque (engine pulling power) between 1800-2500 rpm which gives the Hyundai easy pick up. The Sante Fe also cruises serenely on the motorway.
  • With suspension tuning specific to the UK, the Sante Fe handles tidily and offers up a comfortable, compliant ride. This is an easy car to drive, despite its relatively large size.
  • Insurance costs have been slashed. Instead of the old car’s group 29, the new Sante Fe sits in groups 18-20. Along with improved C02 emissions, economy and lower repair costs, company car tax also lowers from 29% to 25%. So for a company car buyer, this new Sante Fe will cost less to run than old.

 

What’s not?

  • While the Santa Fe, steers, rides and corners competently enough, it’s still not what you might call a thrill to drive. This is a new, bigger Sante Fe and at times with that bulkier body, it lacks the agility of some of its rivals, like the Nissan X-Trail and Honda CR-V.
  • Steering works well but ultimately lacks feel.
  • While overall cabin presentation has moved up, the centre console design will likely divide opinion. While some will like it, for others it’ll be too garish and gadgety. Maybe a simpler design would work better.
  • On this seven-seater, the rearmost seats aren’t really sized for adults. For children, however, they will be fine.
  • Price has moved up, with top spec models now hitting the £33-£35k mark. On the other hand, with higher technology, improved equipment and safety and lower running costs, the Sante Fe goes some way to justiying that premium.
  • Hyundai now moving the Santa Fe directly into the BMW-Audi line of fire….

Business Car Manager car review verdict

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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