Hyundai Santa Fe V6 2007 Review

On the surface this seems like a straight-forward proposition: Hyundai upgrades the Santa Fe soft-roader with the likeable 'Lambda' 3.3-litre V6 engine that's been seen here in the Sonata since 2005.

Ah, but there's a twist. Not only does Hyundai keep the older 'Delta' 2.7-litre V6 in the range, it introduces the 3.3-litre with front-wheel drive only. Hyundai Motor Company Australia says it went this way because almost half of all medium-SUV buyers never utilise AWD. As a result, it believes the 3.3 Santa Fe will be the biggest seller in the range.

If we were in the USA this would be non-news, as the majority of SUV sales there are 2WD. But in Australia, where 4WDs pay a lower import tariff (five versus 10 percent), all-wheel drive has traditionally been the sole choice.

Ford offers a rear-wheel-drive Territory, of course, but that is built locally. Toyota has bitten the bullet and will sell the second-gen imported Kluger as front- and all-wheel drive. HMCA could have played it safe and brought the 3.3 in as an AWD, too, as it was offered the choice of drive formats by the factory. However, with the 2WD version cheaper to build, therefore negating the tariff issue, it took a punt on an emerging trend.

It doesn't feel like HMCA has taken much of a risk when you drive it - after all, the AWD Santa Fe is actually front-wheel drive until slip is detected. And when the 3.3 does get to dirt, ESP is your safety net.

What you really notice, however, is the extra 42kW, 61Nm and (fifth) automatic gear ratio. The 3.3 is not an all-pervading torquer, not with nearly 1900kg to pull along in SLX and Elite trim (ironically, still heavier than the 2.7 AWD, which now only comes as the base SX model), but there is more urgency and response. As a clincher, fuel consumption is claimed to be near-identical: 10.7 versus 10.6L/100km. But include the CRDi 2.2-litre turbo diesel, and the case for Lambda isn't as clear-cut - not if you're after grunt (343Nm) and frugality (8.2L/100km).

Hyundai says there have been only subtle suspension alterations, but the 3.3 feels to have less kickback through the steering than AWD versions. The ride remains a little too harsh, responding to road imperfections it should smother.

The interior remains one of the Santa Fe's strong points, however. It's spacious, clever and looks good. We fancy this, rather than which wheels are being driven, will be more persuasive for many buyers.

FULLY SPEC
With the arrival of the 3.3-litre V6, Hyundai has recast the Santa Fe range. The 2.7-litre V6 is now only available in SX form. It starts at $33,990 for the five-speed manual, a price cut of $2000.

There are three spec levels of both the 2.4-litre CRDi turbo diesel and 3.3 V6 - SX, SLX and Elite. CRDi pricing starts at $36,990 and spreads all the way to $48,990; the auto-only 3.3 starts at $37,990 and tops out at $46,490.

The 2.7-litre SX equipment includes air-conditioning, power windows, ABS, dual airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloys, roof rails and anti-whiplash head restraints. The SX 3.3-litre V6 adds ESP, while the CRDi picks it up at SLX level.

The SLX specification also includes third-row seating, side airbags, third-row curtain airbags, a cool box and a trip computer. The Elite adds a sunroof, 18-inch alloys, leather trim, dual-zone climate control, six CD audio and powered front seats.

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