Hyundai Santa Fe
2017 - ENDURNCE ED BDR CRDIA 5-Door
7 SEATS!
Hyundai Santa Fe
2016 (66) - 2.2 CRDi Blue Drive Premium 5dr [5 Seats] EURO6
LEATHERS / SATNAV / 1 OWNER /FULL SERVICE HISTORY
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a large SUV that’s a great choice if you have a large family or need to carry heavy loads. Most models have seven seats with space for an adult in each. It has a big boot, diesel models can tow at least two tonnes, and four-wheel-drive models are very capable when driving off-road. The interior has the look and feel of a pricier, premium-brand car – especially the latest version – because all models are packed with tech and it’s relaxing for the driver and passengers. Hybrid models are also surprisingly efficient.
The current Santa Fe has been sold new since 2018 when it replaced a version produced from 2012 to 2018. You can easily tell the two apart as they have different styling and interiors.
The latest version is available with diesel, hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. The diesel model was sold new until 2020, then reintroduced in late 2021, and is available with a manual or automatic gearbox. All hybrids are automatic. If you want four-wheel drive, it’s available with any of the power options, and you can spot it by the ‘HTRAC’ badge on the boot lid. There are several trim levels to choose from – SE, Premium, Premium SE and Ultimate – all of which have seven seats.
All models of the older Santa Fe have a diesel engine and four wheel drive, with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, and five or seven seats. Trims include SE, Premium and Premium SE.
In the latest Santa Fe, all models will give you a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for your smartphone. You’ll also get climate control, cruise control and a reversing camera. Premium models add sat nav, hands-free boot opening and a heated steering wheel to go with the heated electric leather seats. The top-grade Premium SE was renamed Ultimate in 2021; on top of everything listed above, these models include a 360-degree parking camera, head-up display and an opening panoramic sunroof.
Older Santa Fe are also very well equipped. SE models have air con, cruise control, Bluetooth, heated front seats and rear parking sensors. Premium models will give you climate control and sat nav, a reversing camera, leather seats and front parking sensors. Premium SE models also have electrically adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel and a sunroof.
According to official figures, the latest Santa Fe can give you an average fuel economy of 38-44mpg with diesel or hybrid power. The plug-in hybrid can give as much as 173mpg if you keep the battery topped, to maximise usage of its 36-mile zero-emission electric range. The older version can give up to 47mpg. In both cases, Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax) and insurance costs are reasonable for a large SUV. Overall, the Santa Fe is very good value considering how much space and equipment you get.
Other large SUVs available with seven seats include the Kia Sorento, the Skoda Kodiaq and the Nissan X-Trail. The Kia has a sportier look than the Hyundai, which you may find appealing, the Skoda feels more nimble to drive and the Nissan is more affordable, if less spacious for passengers. In comparison, though, the Hyundai’s premium quality interior, impressive tech and efficiency stand out.
Both versions of the Santa Fe are very spacious, with room for adults to sit comfortably in the front and middle rows of seats. The third-row seats will keep children comfortable on long journeys, and can be stowed in the boot floor when not in use. Adults will fit in these stowable seats, but will feel a bit of a squeeze.
There’s space for a few shopping bags in the boot behind row three, and if you need to get more stuff in, you can fold away both seats individually. In five-seat mode, the Santa Fe’s boot isn’t the biggest for this type of car, but it’ll still hold several pushchairs, shopping and school bags, or a couple of Labradors. Fold down all the back seats and there’s space for a full-size fridge.
If you need to tow a trailer or caravan, diesel models are the better option as they can pull at least 2,000kg, compared to the hybrids’ limit of 1,650kg.
The latest Santa Fe received a full five-star rating from safety organisation Euro NCAP. It scored very highly for protecting both driver and passengers and has many driver safety features including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
The older version also has a five-star rating and was named the safest large 4x4 of 2012 by Euro NCAP. Being an older car, it doesn’t have the same advanced driver safety features as the latest version, but does have seven airbags, hill-start assist and lane-departure warning (on top-spec models).
The latest Santa Fe is available with hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, both of which use a petrol engine with their electric motors. The regular hybrid will give you a similar average fuel economy to the diesel but is more efficient in town, because it can drive for short distances on battery power. Plug-in hybrids can manage up to 36 miles on battery power. They also produce little CO2, putting them in a low VED band and low benefit-in-kind company car tax bands too.
