Hyundai Santa Fe 2019: A Breakthrough SUV for the European Market

Introduction

The Hyundai Santa Fe may not be a prominent player in the European SUV market, but it holds a special place within Hyundai’s internal company circles. This car marked a turning point in Hyundai’s success in the North American car market. With its introduction in 2000, Hyundai’s sales in the US nearly doubled. The Santa Fe was well-received for its value, practicality, comfort, and convenience. Now, Hyundai aims to update and improve the Santa Fe to cater to the global demand for SUVs without compromising its established success.

Design and Styling

The Santa Fe’s success in the UK market is largely due to its value for money. The latest generation of the Santa Fe has grown slightly in size, making it even more appealing to buyers. With a length of 4770mm, it is now comparable to the BMW X5 and falls between the Land Rover Discovery and Land Rover Discovery Sport in terms of size. However, the Santa Fe is priced much more competitively than these luxury SUVs.

Underneath its body, the Santa Fe features an all-steel monocoque construction with a higher proportion of hot-stamped, high-strength steel than any other Hyundai model. The suspension system consists of struts at the front and multiple links at the rear, with steel coil springs and a self-leveling damping system. While four-wheel drive is not standard on all versions, Hyundai now offers a front-wheel drive option for the first time in the UK.

Performance

The Santa Fe is powered by a redesigned version of Hyundai’s 2199cc CRDi turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, producing 197bhp and 325lb ft of torque. This engine meets Euro 6d-TEMP emissions requirements and is available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. Four-wheel drive models come equipped with Hyundai’s latest HTRAC four-wheel-drive system, allowing drivers to adjust the torque split for optimal handling and fuel economy.

Although the Santa Fe is not the most capable off-road SUV in its class, it offers a ground clearance of 185mm and decent towing capacity. Manual versions can tow over 2.5 tonnes, while automatic versions have a slightly lower towing capacity.

Conclusion

The fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe retains its core strengths of value, practicality, comfort, and convenience. With its updated design, improved chassis, and new driveline systems, it aims to compete with the growing number of compact European SUVs and premium-branded SUVs in the market. Additionally, Hyundai plans to introduce petrol-electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions in the near future. While the Santa Fe may not be the best SUV for off-road adventures, it offers a compelling package for families looking for a spacious and versatile vehicle.