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By
EWAN KENNEDY
6 August 2007
Hyundai has greatly increased the variety of models in its Santa
Fe range, not only offering a new high-performance V6 engine, but also
importing a 2WD version. The latter is aimed at the people mover market
and is an admission that most people who buy so-called 4WDs are actually
not interested in going off-road, rather they want a macho wagon with
good interior space.
Having the simplicity of 2WD in place of the complication of
4WD can significantly reduce the mass of a vehicle. This, allied
with reduced friction in the drivetrain makes for greater fuel
economy, as well as a smoother, quieter mechanical setup.
An anomaly in our import regulations means that many 4WDs are
brought in as trucks and so gain favourable import rates. This
often makes it just as expensive to import a 2WD wagon, despite
its lower-cost mechanical layout, because it’s classed as a car
not a truck.
However, Hyundai has kept the cost of the front-drive V6 Santa
Fe to a pretty reasonable $37,990. It’s hard to make direct
comparisons, but the existing 2.7-litre V6 Santa Fe with 4WD is
priced from $35,990 with a four-speed automatic transmission. The
3.3-litre V6 is mated only to a five-speed auto. And the automatic
turbo-diesel version of Santa Fe, in the model that most closely
approximates its petrol brothers, is priced from $39,490.
Only the new Santa Fe V6 3.3 is being sold with the new
front-wheel drive layout at this stage.
Hyundai led the way in imported 2WD ‘SUVs’ when it
introduced the Tucson City in 2005. Ford has always offered 2WD
variants of its top-selling Territory, however it is a locally
built vehicle so, obviously, doesn’t attract any import duty.
Toyota has already announced its upcoming Kluger will be imported
in 2WD and 4WD formats and a 2WD version of the Kia Sportage is
anticipated soon.
The modern twin-cam 3.3-litre V6 engine used in this latest
Santa Fe is based on the one already used in the Hyundai Sonata
and is very much a sporty unit. With 180 kW, and 309 Nm of torque
at 3500 rpm, it’s able to go from a standstill to 100 km/h in
just 8.7 seconds. Overtaking is prompt and easy thanks to the
ability of the Hyundai wagon to go from 60 to 100 km/h in only 4.3
seconds.
On the economy side of the equation, the Santa Fe 3.3 is rated
at a more than reasonable 10.7 litres per hundred kilometres when
measured to the appropriate Australian standard. This is surely a
real advantage of having front drive rather than four-wheel drive.
Economy is further improved on a country trip by the use of
tall gearing in the five-speed automatic. At 110 km/h the engine
is turning over at just 2200 revs.
At this stage we haven’t driven the new Santa Fe 3.3 in our
home area so can’t make full comments on its consumption.
The Hyundai Santa Fe range is also offered in a seven-seat
layout, though the extra seats are only offered in the upmarket
variants. There is a pair of reasonably sized rear seats,
generally aimed at children, though adults can be installed
without too much of a squeeze. The rearmost seats can be folded
down individually to give plenty of permutations on the
luggage/passenger front.
As well as the additional seats, these mid-range and topline
Santa Fe models also have the additional safety offered by an
electronic stability program (ESP).
Comfort in all Santa Fe models is assured by the use of an air
conditioning system with a standard pollen filter, as well as
additional ducting to take the conditioned air directly to the
rear seat passengers.
Santa Fe is a good-looking vehicle, though we must admit to
some doubts as to the very exposed front end that has virtually no
protection if you do take it into off-road areas. The fitment of a
big V6 engine further improves its appeal to Australian buyers who
love their engines to have plenty of grunt.
The complete Santa Fe range, with prices (excluding on-road
costs) is:
SX 2.7-litre V6 five-seat wagon: $33,990 (manual), $35,990
(automatic)
SLX 2.7-litre V6 five-seat wagon: $35,990 (manual), $37,990
(automatic)
SLX 2.7-litre V6 seven-seat wagon: $39,990 (automatic)
Elite 2.7-litre V6 five-seat wagon: $43,490 (automatic)
SX 3.3-litre V6 five-seat wagon: $37,990 (automatic)
SLX 3.3-litre V6 seven-seat wagon: $40,990 (automatic)
Elite 3.3-litre V6 seven-seat wagon: $46,490 (automatic)
CRDi SX 2.2-litre diesel five-seat wagon: $36,990 (manual),
$39,490 (automatic)
CRDi SLX 2.2-litre diesel seven-seat wagon: $43,490 (automatic)
CRDi Elite 2.2-litre diesel five-seat wagon: $46,990 (automatic)
CRDi Elite 2.2-litre diesel seven-seat wagon: $48,990 (automatic)
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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