REVIEW 2014 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Review

Car Tested: 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 30.81 – 34.24 lakhs

The third generation Hyundai Santa Fe not only looks spectacular but is highly capable.

Hyundai has lately been on a product offensive and the Korean manufacturer has been busy churning out new models in quick succession. The first launch of 2014 from the Seoul based manufacturer is the all new third generation Santa Fe. The Santa Fe began its life in 2001 when it went on sale in the United States. The second generation model came out in 2008 and the same was launched in India in 2010. The latest offering of the Santa Fe (third generation) was launched in India at the 2014 Auto Expo. This third generation Santa Fe combines Hyundai’s Fluidic design philosophy with pure muscle and athleticism and looks quite stunning. We take the new Hyundai Santa Fe for a spin and find out how it fares through the thick and thin.

Interiors:

Hyundai’s overall interior quality is top notch, be it any segment. The Santa Fe is no different. High quality interiors with precision fit and finish greet you on the inside. The fluidic theme runs in the interiors too with sharp lines and a design which mimics the flowing fluid. The Hyundai Santa Fe gets two tone beige and brown interiors with silver inserts around the AC vents and door trims. The interiors do feel quite premium and are clearly ahead of the the ones offered by the competition. Everything has been thought off well with great attention to detail. The controls are ergonomically placed and everything is easily accessible. There are enough pockets in the doors and centre console for odds and ends. There are two charging points at the front too.

The AC is quite effective as we realised in a hot and humid Cochin. The dual zone AC gets vents on the ‘B’ and ‘C’ pillars respectively for the the middle and third row passengers. The third row passengers also get fan speed adjustment. The audio unit churns out pretty good quality music with virtual surround sound through the 6 speakers. The 4.3-inch TFT LCD touchscreen interface supports CD, USB, AUX and Bluetooth streaming. Pairing the phone is pretty easy and the multi-functional steering wheel has buttons for audio controls and phone. The instrument cluster is easy to read and looks quite modern and stylish. The steering and gear lever get a special leather stitching. There is a foot operated parking brake instead of a regular handbrake.

Performance :

Powering the Santa Fe is the third generation R-Series 2.2-litre CRDi engine which produces 197 PS of peak power at 3800 RPM and a maximum torque of 420 NM (manual variant) at 1800-2500 RPM. The 4WD Automatic version gets a marginally higher torque rating of 436 NM at 1800-2500 RPM. The new R-Series engine is essentially the same 2.2-litre motor which has been reworked to improve fuel efficiency by reducing friction. The engine operates at 1800 bar pressure which helps in generating high torque at the lower end of the tachometer. The new R-Series also claims to be having better NVH levels than before. Mated to this engine are two transmissions. The 6-speed manual transmission is available only in the 2WD version and offers basic level of kit. Clearly, buyers prefer auto boxes and Hyundai has offered its 6-speed automatic transmission in both 2WD and 4WD trims.

Driving Dynamics :

The third generation Santa Fe has improved drastically in the dynamics department. Ride quality is impressive and the all independent multi-link rear suspension acts as sponge to filter out the craters on the road and the result is imminent. Be it a high speeds or low, ride quality remains quite plush. Also vastly improved is the handling. The new Santa Fe has lost close to 125 kgs of weight over the second generation model. This has a big role to play in improved handling. Body roll is there but is now well controlled and within limits. Moreover, you can drive this fast around the twisties and the Santa Fe feels much more surefooted around the corners.

A true SUV is all about off-road capability and the Santa Fe is one highly capable machine. In usual tarmac conditions, the Santa Fe works in front wheel drive mode. When a slip is detected at any of the wheels, it automatically shifts into 4-wheel drive. Moreover, one also has the option of locking the differentials and manually shifting it into permanent four-wheel drive mode by a flick of a button. We tried off-road antics on a river bed, rock and loose mud and it works absolutely perfectly, well almost. When the Santa Fe was conceived, it was targeted at an urban buyer, someone who wants off-road capability but seldom uses it. Keeping this in mind and to keep it extremely aerodynamic, Hyundai had to opt for a very conservative approach and departure angle. Which essentially means, that on steep inclines and declines, there is a chance it will kiss its underbelly. Which should not be a problem courtesy of the skid plates. Besides this point, the Santa Fe’s off-road capability is truly astonishing.

What’s Cool :

* New fluidic design
* Off-road capability
* Improved dynamics

What’s Not So Cool :

* No auto dimming mirrors
* No satellite navigation
* Overly expensive

Alternatives : Toyota Fortuner, SsangYong Rexton, Mitsubishi Pajero

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Specifications :

* Engine: 2199cc, third generation ‘R’ series CRDI
* Power: 197 HP @ 3800 RPM
* Torque: 436 NM @ 1800-2500 RPM (4WD); 420 NM @ 1800-2500 RPM (2WD)
* Transmission: 6 speed manual (2WD); 6 speed automatic (2WD, 4WD)
* Top Speed: 180 km/hr (est.)
* Fuel Consumption: 7-9 km/l (real world)
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Suspension: McPherson Struts (Front), Multi-link Independent Suspension (Rear)
* Tyres: 235/60/18 Silica tyres
* Brakes: Ventilated Disc (Front), Disc (Rear)
* Safety: ABS, TCS, BAS, VSM, ESC, HAC, DBC, 6 Airbags, Park Distance Control

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Dimensions :

* Overall length x width x height: 4690 mm X 1880 mm X 1690 mm
* Wheelbase: 2700 mm
* Ground clearance: 185 mm
* Boot Volume: 585 liters (with last row folded)
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 64 litres
* Kerb Weight: 1862 kgs