New Hyundai Santa Fe is here, but be prepared to wait
Hyundai’s fifth-generation large SUV undergoes its most radical change ever – and Aussies are already queuing to own itThe all-new fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is now in Australian dealerships and has already attracted a long waiting list – despite a $10,000 base price hike – and it’s the most expensive variant that’s proving a sales hit.
Available initially with only a hybrid drivetrain, with a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine to follow in December, the large seven-seat family SUV is already in hot demand in a market segment with intense competition from the likes of the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento, Nissan Pathfinder and Mazda CX-90.
“At the moment there’s a three-to-six-month wait for new purchases of Santa Fe,” said Sam Dabestani, Hyundai Australia product planning manager.
“We do feel that for the remainder of the year demand is likely to outstretch supply.”
And it’s the hybrid system that’s proving popular, with Hyundai predicting the petrol-electric drivetrain will account for 60 per cent of Santa Fe sales once the more affordable and more powerful petrol-only variants arrive later this year.
“We’re increasingly finding in this segment that hybrids are actually what customers are demanding,” said Dabestani.
Despite the popular turbo-diesel engine no longer being part of the Santa Fe range, Dabestani believes the hybrid will get more buyer interest as the company looks to boost Santa Fe sales.
“We’re expecting increased demand over the diesel,” he said.
The Santa Fe hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor to make a combined 172kW/367Nm (the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 206kW/422Nm).
It’s available as either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, each boasting an impressive claimed average fuel consumption number of 5.6L/100km.
Towing capacity is below many of its rivals at just 1650kg, but Hyundai doesn’t believe that will be a deterrent for buyers, many of whom are keen to reduce their fuel bills.
The entry-level Santa Fe – simply known as Santa Fe – is priced from $55,500 in front-drive form, or $58,500 with AWD (both plus ORCs).
It comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch central infotainment display, each of which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity embedded and can be updated via over-the-air software functionality.
There’s also 20-inch alloy wheels (with a matching full-size spare), smart key with remote start functionality, a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charger, powered tailgate, power-adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone ventilation with fan control the third row.
White or orange are standard colours and there’s a choice of six metallic/mica hues for $695.
Meantime, the Santa Fe Elite sells from $65,000 plus ORCs and is only available in AWD guise.
It adds partial leather trim, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front passenger seat, satellite-navigation, a second wireless phone charger, stainless steel scuff plates on the doors and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
The new Calligraphy flagship – which replaces the Highlander at the top of the Santa Fe line-up – costs $75,000 plus ORCs and gets unique alloy wheels, memory functions for the driver’s seat, black exterior design highlights and additional equipment including a head-up display, Nappa leather, sunroof, ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats and a digital rear-vision mirror.
There’s also a “UV-C sanitation tray”, which is part of the upper glovebox. When activated, it peppers whatever is in there with UV rays that are claimed to kill 99.9 per cent of surface germs.
On the outside, the Calligraphy also gets folding handles on the C-pillar to make it easier to access anything fitted to the optional roof rack.
Calligraphy customers can also have the middle-row bench seat replaced with two captain’s chairs for $500, in turn reducing seating capacity to six.
Plus, the Calligraphy can be optioned in one of two matte paint colours for another $1000.
How much does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe cost?
Hybrid – $55,500
Hybrid AWD – $58,500
Hybrid Elite AWD – $65,000
Hybrid Calligraphy AWD – $75,000
Hybrid Calligraphy AWD 6-seat – $75,500
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Related: Hyundai to close the gap with Toyota in hybrid sales
Related: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe turbo-petrol due by year’s end
Related: All-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe entry price up by almost $10,000
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