Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the high-end products that are offered by the leading car maker in India. Like most of its cars, even Santa Fe is focussed on giving the consumers comfort as well as convenience. Amongst all the other changes, the highlights of the new Santa Fe include a super vision cluster and a shift indicator, which aims at enhancing the fuel economy. The rear view camera display is the 3.5” LCD monitor that is built in the electro chromic rear view mirror, to help the driver park and reverse conveniently.

Bought pre-owned, a Dec 2013 model. One of the best equipped vehicle at this price point. Good handling for its size. Gerabox is ok for normal driving conditions. If you are rushing it, it might be a bit lost in which gear to switch to. Engine wise, good enough for driving around town at normal pace. Features are plentiful, auto parallel parking (it works!), big sunroof, cruise control, auto lights, auto driver seat sliding in and out for ease of entry, three beat signal lights, both front electrical seat adjustment, with driver memory seat, speed limit setting. The ride is good, absorping bumps well, quiet highyway drive, feels good with high visibility without much rolling effect. On the fly 4WD, hill descent (i doubt we need it), hill hold, electric parking brake (button), auto hold at traffic lights/stop situation. Overall bultd quality is good. Design is always a headturner. Can't get any better.

I rented the diesel variant in New Zealand, though the version in SG is the 2.4 petrol. The Sorento, which is based on the Santa Fe, has a 2.2 litre diesel engine as an option. This is a really pleasant car to own. It is spacious and comfortable, handles decently, and that AWD gave me the confidence to drive in the winter conditions. The ride is smooth and quiet, but road noise becomes quite intrusive above 100km/h, the NZ roads could have played a part too because they are rough to have grip in snowy conditions. Overall, if I were looking for a full-size SUV that is affordable by Singapore's standards, I will get this, but with the diesel engine. It is New Zealand's most popular full-size SUV for a reason!

Since buying my Hyundai Santa Fe in October 2014, I’d like to share my satisfaction in owning the best value for money large SUV on the market. Previously driving a Mercedes C-Class but needing more space for family, brand stigma (of a Korean) was the biggest inner demon I had to address. In the end, it was unwarranted as the Santa Fe packs a vast amount of space into a package that is practical and stylish.

The positive vibes first clicked during the test drive. The smoothness of the power train, with a good amount of power from the 2.4l was a pleasant improvement from the CVTs and robo-clutches used by many of its peers. Cabin insulation is also good, with little road noise, while the ride itself is comfortable, albeit comfort oriented. Also note that, while its a 7-seater, its no longer than most mid/large saloons, so coupled with the front/rear parking sensors and reverse camera, its actually quite easy to park and navigate.

Space is its speciality. In 5-seater mode, the rear passengers will luxuriate in the sliding and reclining rear seats, which are limo-like in dimensions. The boot’s also big enough to fit the 2 kid bikes (along with our foldable ones) with minimal gymnastic. For seven folks, you’ll lose most of the boot, but the (small) kids certainly enjoy their time in the back. Not for adults, the last row, and its a bit dark, but the open panoramic sunroof does wonders in uplifting the cabin.

That sunroof, and other cool tech features like the auto hydraulic tailgate that opens based on proximity, keyless entry/start, welcome puddle lights, xenon headlights further underscore that for $150k, you get tech and space that costs double in the equivalent German model. Its also better value than its sister Korean equivalent, which has similar kit but commands a 15% premium for almost the same equipment (although I also think the Hyundai is much more masculine in styling).

In short, Hyundai has come a long way in recent years, and this Santa Fe, along with the Genesis saloon, are solid proof. If you need the flexibility of 5+2 seating, yet want a stylish ride that doesn't look like a box, this is one of the sweetest deals out there!

I was originally eyeing the Tucson (all thanks to "The Walking Dead") when I went down to Komoco but that changed when I saw the Santa Fe.

The Santa Fe is a big, muscular, handsome looking car and coupled with 19" shiny gunmetal rims it definitely stood out on the showroom.

Took a test drive and really "drove" the car (should see the expression on the SE's face). Went on a weekday afternoon so the traffic around the Leng Kee / Alexandra area wasn't really that heavy. Pressed the accelerator pretty hard then brake to see how the car respond; not too bad I must say, pick up was quite good for a car this size (though there were only the two of us in it so can't say if that applies when fully loaded) and sudden braking was firm but not too uncomfortable either.

Handling was pretty good too, managed to get right into the 2nd lane after a U-turn without slowing down too much, body roll was acceptable. Also had the opportunity to drive through a cramped and narrow workshop corridor and the car did well too.

Overall drive and ride was comfortable, the panoramic roof is indeed panoramic. Not only does it opens up to the sky, it opens up to good mood as well. And one thing which I really liked was how the side view mirror auto-tilted down when in reverse gear to help look out for kerbs when parking.

Now for the things I didn't enjoy as much.

When driving through the cramped and narrow corridor the side sensors kept beeping, and personally I found that irritating, and might distract me when there are real dangers. The auto parallel parking thing also doesn't work for me, you need to be close to the other vehicles and travelling really slowly for the sensors to pick up the available space, and you then need to control the brakes as the car move in. For someone who is used to parallel parking, I think it would be much faster and smoother if I just do the parking myself, so this feature will probably benefit those who can't parallel park.

All in all I would give this car an "A", but not yet a "Distinction". But not everyone's looking for an AD, so yeah, go see it, touch it, drive it, and if you like what you saw, touched and drove, just go for it, still a good buy.