Hyundai Santa Fe – the most interesting SUV from Korea

One thing is certain: the new Hyundai Santa Fe stands out on the street, although not in such a way as sports cars with a streamlined figure. It is simply very characteristic. It has a massive front, a bit like a great American SUVs. In addition, LED lights in the shape of the letter “H” attract. On the back, Santa Fe reminds some … caravan. But this is a malicious comparison. It simply has a fairly massive, vertically set trunk lid with a very clear, large inscription “Santa Fe” in the middle. The whole looks pretty good, although when the car is in black, it can really evoke some associations …

It can also be said that Hyundai decided to break with the polished SUVs, making his model to real off-road car from many years ago. This is evidenced not only by the already mentioned angular silhouette, but also a clearly marked wheel arches with plastic “protectors”. In my opinion, the whole looks very interesting and certainly stands out from the competition.

Hyundai Santa Fe – interior without controversy

Because I have been dealing with cars for over two decades, I have already so that after a few minutes of driving a car I know if I like it or not. Interestingly, this opinion usually translates into the opinions of other users of individual models. When I covered Hyundai Santa Fe after a few kilometers of driving, I could say that it had a well -designed interior. Everything is in place, it looks modern, but technologies did not make the ergonomics forgotten.

For example, we have a large, 12.3-inch multimedia system screen (dominating over the entire cockpit), but under it there was a comprehensive space with buttons that are shortcuts to the most important functions, a volume knob and the entire air conditioning control panel. It is a pity that with flat, touch buttons. The annoying “piano” varnish was used unnecessarily, which for unknown reasons was very fashionable some time ago, even though it is easy to get dirty and you can see every pollen on it.

But a big plus is to Hyundai for quality: finishing materials are very good, and ecological skin is not much worse than natural, which nowadays probably appears only in the most luxurious models. In the tested, rich version, such eco-water are covered with armchairs and the rear sofa. No matter where we travel, we can count on a high level of comfort.

There are also equipment for equipment at hand: a wireless smartphone charger, many USB-C ports, as well as a lot of shelves and storage spaces, some of which can be closed, hiding the little things needed while traveling. Noteworthy is also the multimedia system, which even in the standard has wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto interfaces. There are even more electronics: Hyundai allows you to control some functions remotely, using the application (e.g. blocking and unlocking the door, as well as checking basic parameters, such as fuel levels).

In addition, this well -made interior is quiet even while traveling through fast roads. The engine operation was effectively suppressed, although, unfortunately, at a rapid increase in speed, you can hear that a four -cylinder 1.6 unit works under the hood, not a larger engine.

Hyundai Santa Fe – a large SUV with a small heart

It seems that the engine with a larger jumping capacity should hit the hood of such a large car. Santa Fe will often cover long distances with four people on board and with substantial luggage. SThe gas span has a turbocharging and 160 hp, and in the hybrid we still have an additional 65-horsepower drive that supports it. This system works very well in the city. It gives a total of 215 km and allows you to really accelerate-according to the manufacturer's data, we will achieve “a hundred” in 9.6 s. It is equally good on the route, because the 6-speed gearbox chooses gears with economic driving in mind, but when it suddenly increases the speed, it reduces the gear and Santa Fe accelerates efficiently. Only that during acceleration the noise in a well-donated cabin increases, because the 4-cylinder engine must work a little.

And how much does a hybrid drive cost? Well, Hyundai Santa Fe is a large car, so despite the use of an electric engine, fuel consumption will not be symbolic. In the city, the result can be obtained 8 l/100 hp, but if we press the gas harder, it is not unusual to exceed 9 l/100 km. On the other hand, Eco-Jazd can make us go to 7 l/100 km even in the city-but it requires very quiet acceleration. On suburban roads, at 90 km/h, we will easily get about 7 l/100 km, but on the express route it will be over 9 l/100 km, while on the highway – a minimum of 10 l/100 km. It's a lot. The reason for not the best result at high speeds is the weight of the car, its size, aerodynamics and an internal combustion engine that must deal with it.

Hyundai Santa Fe – a car for long routes

This does not change the fact that without remorse, I would recommend Hyundai Santa Fe to anyone who, among the family or friends, covers long routes. Tfor a very good holiday car. First of all, it is comfortable, equipped with a suspension that effectively suppresses unevenness, but at the same time gives a sense of certain lead. The steering also works well, although I would prefer a bit weaker support. However, this is a matter of taste. The only downside is that Santa Fe does not belong to the returnable SUVs-in a tight parking lot you will definitely need to use the camera system to effectively use every centimeter. It is also not always easy to enter a tight “envelope”. Electronics helps, but dimensions and a large turn of turning do their job.

A big plus is also a spacious interior, which – depending on the version – will accommodate five to seven people. In this for seven people, only four passengers will have enough space in abundance. When three people go on the back, it gets tight – during a long journey it causes discomfort. In turn, two places hidden in the trunk floor are rather “short -distance”, and adults will definitely feel the lack of proper leg and above their heads.

The Hyundai Santa Fe trunk has an impressive size, because when we do not use the third row we have as much as 711 liters of volume to use, and when we submit support – over 2 cubic meters. Of course, the rear seat can be moved, so you can increase the trunk at the expense of the place at the back.

Hyundai Santa Fe – Is it worth buying it?

When I saw Hyundai Santa Fe for the first time, I was wondering if I liked this car. The unusual silhouette does its job. However, as I already sat behind the wheel, I convinced one hundred percent of the new Korean SUV. If I needed such a car, I would definitely reach for it. The more that in the basic version it retains its functionality (space, suspension), although at the expense of equipment. Only that then we pay just over 200,000 PLN, not almost 300,000 PLN, as for a top variant with ordinary hybrid drive. A lot, but the truth is that competitive SUVs, often smaller, cost similarly.

Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDI HEV 215 HP 4WD, technical data:

R4 gasoline engine, 1.6T, 160 HP, 265 Nm (internal combustion), 65 HP, 265 Nm (electric), 215 HP (total). Automatic, 6-speed gearbox. Acceleration 0-100 km/HW 9.8 s. Maximum speed-180 km/h. Average fuel consumption: 6.9 l/100 km (WLTP). Price: from PLN 232,900.