The original Santa Fe was Hyundai’s first excursion into the world of SUVs. This is the third generation of that popular vehicle, and it’s received a substantial facelift.
Notable changes include new bumpers, which were restyled using sharper accent lines, with added shiny bits and LED running lights.
Safety features have also been upgraded. Radar sensors in the body will warn you of vehicles in your blind spot and scan the street for approaching cars when you back out of your driveway. The sensors also pair up with the cruise control to keep a constant following distance between you and the vehicle ahead. Another helpful addition is the automatic rear hatch, which opens and closes at the press of a button.
The updated Santa Fe retains its cheerful 2.2 turbo-diesel engine, but the automatic gearbox is now managed by Eco and Power mode buttons. The former causes the gears to shift sooner than usual, which in turn lowers fuel consumption.
Due to its price tag, the Santa Fe competes with the KIA Sorento and the Ford Everest. The Everest will annihilate it off-road, but we like the Santa Fe for its car-like road manners and because it’s not a converted bakkie.
