HYUNDAI SANTA FE
The Santa Fe SUV is one of Hyundai's longest-running and most popular models, and it is beloved around the world for its reliability, comfort, and good value. While earlier editions of the Santa Fe were lauded for their practicality, newer versions took a step in the more premium direction with higher levels of technology, spaciousness, and comfort. Keep reading to learn more about this popular SUV and icon in the automotive world.
Origin
Hyundai's Santa Fe is the South Korean automobile manufacturer's foray into the SUV category. It is named after the city in the US state of New Mexico and was first produced in 2000, making its debut at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show. Though a small SUV, the Santa Fe was longer and broader than its competitors.
First Generation (SM; 2000-2004)
The first generation Santa Fe was marketed by Hyundai as an off-road capable vehicle, coming standard with FWD and 4WD as options. While built on the same platform as the Sonata sedan, it was more spacious, giving a considerable amount of headroom to seat up to five passengers comfortably, and it had a sizable trunk that could be expanded by folding down the rear seats. The first generation Santa Fe received a range of engine options, including a 2.4L inline four-cylinder, a 2.7L and 3.5L V6 six-cylinder gasolines, as well as a 2.0L inline four-cylinder diesel.
Second Generation (CM; 2005-2011)
For its second generation, the Santa Fe was less rugged and featured a more conservative body design, receiving a reduction in grille size and amount of body cladding. On the inside, the second generation Santa Fe came with high-end, soft-touch materials and leather upholstery for a more premium feel. There was an option to add a third row of seats, increasing the seating capacity from five to seven. For the first time, the vehicle included electronic stability control, side curtain airbags for all seating rows, a tire pressure monitor, active front head restraints, and anti-lock brakes.
The second generation Santa Fe comes with an extensive range of engines, including 2.4L inline four-cylinder and 3.3L V6 six-cylinder gasolines, and 2.0L and 2.2L inline four-cylinder diesels.
Third Generation (DM/NC; 2012-2017)
The third generation embarked on a different design direction known as "Storm Edge,” which included more refined lines, bolder surfaces, and a new hexagonal grille. With this generation, the Santa Fe showed that it was transitioning away from being a purely functional vehicle to a more premium one. The third generation could come with a new infotainment unit with a reverse camera, navigation, sound system, USB ports, Bluetooth connection, and aux. Gasoline engines were 2.0L and 2.4L inline four-cylinders and 3.3L V6 six-cylinders. Diesel engines were 2.0L and 2.2L inline four-cylinders.
Fourth Generation (TM; 2018-2022)
The two-row Santa Fe grew in dimensions for the fourth generation, with a three-row version available in some regions and even as standard in others. Hyundai upped the fun factor of driving by tuning the steering of the Santa Fe to be more responsive. It also stiffened and angled the suspension to increase comfort, stability, and noise reduction. In the base models, LED running lights, heated side mirrors, a rear-view camera, and a 7-inch infotainment display, among many other features, come as standard. Engines included gasoline 2.0L and 2.4L inline four-cylinders, 3.5L V6 six-cylinders, and diesel 2.0L and 2.2L inline four-cylinders.
Fifth Generation (MX5; 2023-present)
The fifth generation Santa Fe is designed to be more rugged while still retaining its refined look, appealing more to the city dweller with an outdoor lifestyle. It is once again more roomy than the previous generation owing to a 2-inch increase in wheelbase length. Those who have lots to move around will be pleased to note that Santa Fe has a cargo capacity of 725 liters. An optional Panasonic Curved Display combination of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment system into one curved screen is also available. The selection of engines was decreased to 2.0L and 2.5L inline four-cylinder petrols, and a 1.6L inline four-cylinder for the hybrid models.
Engine Performance & Technology
Hyundai has fitted the Santa Fe with robust engines that offer exceptional horsepower and a thrilling ride. Their Theta and Lambda engines, found in the third generation onwards, feature gasoline direct injection technology, which increases engine efficiency and power output while reducing exhaust emissions, or multi-point injection, which is able to better achieve the desired fuel-air ratio.
Safety & Reliability
Hyundai takes safety seriously with the Santa Fe. It has a long list of standard safety features, including dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, side-curtain airbags, ABS, brake assist, EBD, traction control, and electronic stability control. The Santa Fe is also available with more advanced safety technologies such as standard daytime running lights, optional blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and lane departure prevention, among many others, depending on the model year and trim.
Trim Configurations
The Santa Fe is available in several trims, although these differ according to the region and generation. For the fourth generation Santa Fe, in certain regions, trims were the SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited, and Ultimate, which differed by type and size of the engine, number of rows of seats, and the level of equipment. Higher grades brought along upgrades such as 19-inch wheels, leather seating, heated seats, a steering wheel, an upgraded sound system, and many more.
Conclusion
Comfortable, safe, and practical, the Santa Fe checks all the boxes for the ideal SUV. And if you're looking for a less-frills SUV to drive around, you could go for one of the earlier versions. Great deals on well-maintained Santa Fes can be had when you shop with Japan's number one car exporter - BE FORWARD.
BE FORWARD : Excellent cars stocked in Japan, Singapore, UK, UAE, Thailand, and Korea, safely delivered worldwide to your location.
BF Points $10
50
SAVE SEARCH
