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New car lines
publication date: Nov 18, 2009
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author/source: Robin Roberts
 | | The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe looks too good to be true.
But buyers looking for a big, practical family car can stop pinching
themselves, as Hyundai has confirmed the amazing news that its 2010
Santa Fe will actually be cheaper than the car it replaces, despite a
raft of improvements.
The headline news is the Santa Fe's world-class new powertrain offers
an unrivalled combination of performance and economy. It means that the
Santa Fe is now comparable on price and emissions with MPVs and estate
cars, and comfortably powers ahead of SUV rivals.
Much more than a simple nip-and-tuck, the new Santa Fe also benefits
from subtly enhanced exterior styling and improved safety. Despite
this, Hyundai has actually managed to make the list price even more
competitive - with obvious benefits to private buyers and company car
drivers alike.
Revisions to the design of the Santa Fe are concentrated on the finer
details. At the front, the black two bar grille is replaced by
chrome-edged three bar version, while revised headlight clusters sit
above a new, more sculpted bumper which also houses new fog lights in a
black surround. The rear gains a new bumper that curves neatly into
more distinctive light clusters, while trapezoidal exhaust pipes and
new alloy wheel designs improve the car's stance and presence on the
road.
On the inside carbon black trim replaces the previous wood finishes to
highlight the Santa Fe's modern feel, and the standard single CD/RDS
radio now comes with an AUX/USB connection with full iPod control.
The range has been simplified, with a two-model range now comprising of
entry-level Style and higher spec Premium. Style models are packed with
standard equipment: 17-inch alloy wheels, reversing sensors, ESP and
air conditioning are among the standard features, while moving up to
Premium adds 18-inch wheels, dual climate control with rear controls on
seven-seat versions, heated leather seats with electric adjustment for
the driver and automated lights and wipers.
The Santa Fe retains its outstanding MPV-rivalling practicality, with
the even more versatile seven-seat option available for a modest £750
on both Style and Premium models. In either version it offers a huge
969 litres of load space in a five-seat configuration - double that of
some its rivals - rising to a van-like 2,247 with all the seats folded.
This is an increase of 34 litres over the previous model. Seven-seat
versions are also fitted with a self-levelling rear suspension set up,
rear privacy glass and roof rails as standard, while five-seat versions
get a substantial under-floor storage area.
At the heart of the rejuvenated Santa Fe is a new 2.2-litre direct
injection ‘R' diesel engine that demonstrates major improvements over
the already-impressive outgoing version. This new all-aluminium 2,199cc
powerplant offers up a class-leading 194bhp - more than the
six-cylinder units offered in some rival vehicles - backed by a mighty
311lb.ft of torque (322lb.ft when specified with an automatic gearbox)
which amounts to improvements of 26% and 27% respectively on the
previous engine.
These huge strides in power and efficiency give the Santa Fe an
advantage over a wide range of competitors. With the six-speed manual
transmission fitted, the Santa Fe can sprint to 62mph from rest in 9.8
seconds, giving it hot-hatch like acceleration. Although ultimate
performance is not usually top of family 4x4 buyers' priorities it is
nice to know that it is the fastest seven-seat SUV you can buy for
under £35,000.
That doesn't come at the expense of economy however, as the combined
cycle figure now breaks the 40mpg barrier and emissions have fallen
significantly to 176g/km, moving it down on the Vehicle Excise Duty to
Band I. These figures also put the Santa Fe ahead of the competition,
with no seven-seat SUV or MPV coming close to its combination of
economy and performance. In fact the Santa Fe can even beat the economy
figures of the entry level Vauxhall Zafira and diesel Ford Galaxy while
producing more torque than a Porsche 911!
These impressive figures are helped by a number of clever engineering
developments, including the sophisticated six-speed manual and
automatic gearboxes and an alternator management system that disengages
when not required in order to save fuel. Drivers looking to maximise
the efficiency benefits are helped by the ‘ECO' Drive Indicator on
automatic versions to monitor fuel efficiency, while manual versions
have an optimum gear shift point indicator built into the trip computer
display.
Another advantage of the new engine is an increased towing capacity,
with a maximum braked towing weight of 2,500kg, up 300kg on the
outgoing model.
The new Santa Fe proves that exceptional performance and a high
specification need not come at the expense of running costs or a
sky-high purchase price. Despite the improvements in equipment levels
and drivability, prices are actually lower compared with the outgoing
model.
The entry-level five-seat manual 2.2 CRDi Santa Fe Style starts at £21,495 (at the higher 17.5% VAT rate).
Significant improvements in economy and emissions have pulled back
running costs for the Santa Fe and service intervals have been doubled
to 20,000 miles, helping to slash maintenance bills. Company car
drivers with P11Ds to consider will find the lower price and CO2 levels
reduces their contribution further still, with the Santa Fe dropping
from 29% to 26% tax rates - saving company car drivers hundreds in tax
every year. Indeed the Santa Fe is not just more efficient at tax
avoidance than other 4x4 rivals; it can also now be a real alternative
to MPVs and estate cars.
Residual values are also expected to improve still further due to the
enhanced specification and lower prices, placing it amongst the best in
class for retained value. |
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