First drive: Does the new Hyundai Santa Fe have a driving experience to match its striking looks?
Available with seven seats as standard and efficient hybrid powertrains, is Hyundai’s flagship SUV the one to beat? Cameron Richards finds out.
What is it?
The Santa Fe has become one of the most recognisable models in Hyundai’s range and that’s because it’s been around since 2001 here in the UK.
It was the first premium SUV for the brand and in the last two decades, it has improved its driving dynamics, equipment levels and drivetrains. But, does this latest fifth-generation car set a new benchmark? Let’s find out.
What’s new?
This new Santa Fe not only debuts a wild and wacky exterior but has also been given some healthy increases in space to help deliver more interior room than before.
Its cabin materials have improved and there is the option of a six-seater variant to help out when you’ve got more people to take along for the ride.
Also, while a lot of car manufacturers are pushing for EVs in this sector of the market, Hyundai has decided to go the other direction and offer this big family bus with either plug-in or hybrid powertrains only.
What’s under the bonnet?
There’s a choice of two engines, a standard hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. We are driving the former which comes fitted with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor that produces 158bhp, 265Nm of torque and can enable 0-60mph in 9.5 seconds.
