What to expect from the new Hyundai Santa Fe seven-seat SUV

Hyundai is just weeks away from launching its all-new Santa Fe in Australia – and the good news is that the seven-seat SUV is finally big enough to rival the likes of Toyota’s Kluger and the Mazda CX-9.

Third-row accommodation grows to more family-friendly size thanks in part to a platform it shares with the Kia Sorento, while a focus on design and refinement helps the Hyundai Santa Fe’s cause in matching premium models from Europe and beyond.

With more advanced infotainment and electronic safety technology than ever before, and efficient, yet familiar driveline packages, it’s fair to say the new Hyundai Santa Fe is raising the expectations of Aussie SUV buyers.

A classier cabin

Hyundai made no bones that its new Santa Fe would move away from the “safe and familiar” looks of its predecessor.

The Korean brand says family buyers expect more amenities, more comfort, more options and more premium appointments – deliverables it meets with lashings of leather, higher-grade trim materials, and soft-touch cushioning where it counts.

The design of the Hyundai Santa Fe is pretty classy too. Rivalling premium European marques in taking a clean, sculpted approach to cockpit décor it’s a definite move upmarket.

Better technology

As well as improving the technology you can’t see – but have increasingly come to rely upon – Hyundai’s infotainment technology joins improved electronic safety features in being faster-acting and less intrusive.

The Santa Fe range scores a 7.0-inch touchscreen audio system as standard, higher grade variants landing an 8.0-inch display with in-built digital radio , satellite navigation and Krell premium sound.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is again standard, with head-up display, a digital instrument panel, MirrorLink technology and wireless charging available in higher-grade variants.

Family friendly seven-seater

The previous-generation Santa Fe sold in Australia was the smaller of two models Hyundai offered globally. Marketed as the Santa Fe Sport elsewhere, it lacked the third-row space of the larger ‘Santa Fe’, leaving it short of rivals like the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9 in terms of overall flexibility.

With 65mm more space between the axles the new Santa Fe increases 70mm in overall length. A longer roof improves overall headroom, while larger doors aid in easier entry and exit, particularly to the third row of seats – which are electronically operated in high-spec models.

The cargo area also grows 55 litres to 625 – beating the Toyota Kluger by a whopping 96 litres – though braked towing capacity remains unchanged at 2200kg.

Getting a grip

Australia doesn’t necessarily need the all-wheel drive grip so relied on by our northern-hemisphere neighbours, but it’s nice to know it’s available all the same.

For the new Santa Fe, Hyundai offers its advanced HTRAC torque-splitting all-wheel drive system, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and, for the time being at least, a familiar 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine.

The driveline is joined by autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian collision avoidance, a near-full complement of airbags (no front knee airbags), lane-keeping and rear cross-traffic alert, safety exit assist, adaptive cruise control, and a 15 per cent stronger body to make this Santa Fe the safest yet.

Tuned to local conditions

Hyundai tunes the suspension of its entire passenger range to Australian conditions, and the new Santa Fe is no exception. The three-grade line-up will again mix front and all-wheel drive variants fettled by HMCA’s in-house chassis experts, the heavy-duty tow package also expected to carry over.

Backed by a “three to four per cent” improvement in fuel economy – petrol and petrol-electric hybrid models are not expected locally until the Series II update happens – and Hyundai’s five-year warranty and lifetime servicing plan the Santa Fe looks like a great match for the wants and needs of SUV-addicted Aussies families.

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe will be launched locally in late June.