2010 Hyundai Santa Fe First Drive Review
ALTHOUGH IT WON’T be in showrooms until December, Hyundai Australia has decided to jump the gun and launch its updated Santa Fe a month ahead of dealership deliveries.
Timed to coincide with the new Santa Fe’s involvement in the 2010 Global Green Challenge, Hyundai used the launch to highlight the car’s new diesel powertrain, new transmissions and improved fuel economy.
The Santa Fe competing in the Green Challenge won the Medium SUV category – a good omen for Hyundai perhaps – but does the refreshed soft-roader kick goals in areas other than long-distance economy runs?
Cosmetically, the new Santa Fe is largely unchanged over the old. The grille, bumpers, sideskirts and wheels are different, but sheetmetal is the same.
Although mild, the external update is an improvement. The horizontally-slatted front grille borrows a few cues from the i30, and the more pronounced cheeks of the front bumper house new fog-light surrounds.
The lower air-dam, sideskirts and underside of the rear bumper continue to be finished in matte black plastic, but subtle tweaks in shaping modernise the lines.
Both front and rear light clusters have had the jewellery refreshed, although the basic shape is unchanged. The rear lamps, with contrasting white-on-red lenses, are nicely ‘eye-grabbing’.
The twin tailpipes are new too, now featuring a trapezoidal chrome tip instead of the old oval one.
As with the exterior, the 2010 Santa Fe’s interior is also familiar but lightly refreshed.
The same basic layout remains, except clothed in new trim and with a few extra features. A faux carbon-fibre trim-strip runs across the dashboard and door cards, and is joined by aluminium-look accents and subtle touches of chrome.
The centre-stack and steering wheel are identical to the outgoing Santa Fe, but the higher-specification Elite and Highlander models now get a high-contrast “supervision” instrument cluster and keyless starter button.
The Highlander also gets leather upholstery and a reversing camera as standard, while all models benefit from rear-parking sensors.
A USB input for iPods and other music players is standard, and the Highlander boasts a six-CD stacker. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls feature on all variants, and are joined by cruise control buttons on the opposite side of the wheel.
All models score a wide-angle rear-seat monitoring mirror, which is housed in the roof console next to the flip-down sunglasses holder. A nifty gadget, and one that will no doubt be appreciated by parents of rowdy children.
All Santa Fe models get two third-row seats as standard. Those third-row passengers will like the fan controls that are fitted to the rear cabin of Elite and Highlander models. The Elite and Highlander are also equipped with dual-zone climate control.
Importantly, safety has been given a big boost for 2010. The updated Santa Fe range now wears a full 5-Star rating from ANCAP, scoring 33.34 points out of a possible 37 for occupant protection.
Front, side and full-length curtain airbags are standard on all models, as is electronic stability control, traction control and ABS with EBD and brake assist.
A rollover sensor is also part of the 2010 Santa Fe’s safety suite, firing the curtain airbags and front belt pretensioners should the car start to topple over.
But despite these improvements in appearance, specification and safety, the biggest changes are under the Santa Fe’s bonnet. The mechanical spec for the 2010 Santa Fe has come in for a serious upgrade over the model it replaces.
Gone is the old 2.2 litre CRDi diesel and V6 petrol engine, both replaced with the same R-series 2.2 litre diesel that powers the Santa Fe’s corporate cousin, the 2010 Kia Sorento.
Developed at a cost of roughly AU$227 million, the 2.2 litre R engine is a twin cam common-rail diesel that utilises a variable-geometry turbocharger to increase output.
Touted by Hyundai as the smallest, lightest and most powerful turbodiesel in its segment, its numbers certainly impress.
A healthy 145kW of power is generated at 3800rpm and torque peaks at 436Nm for auto-equipped models and 421Nm for manuals. Peak torque is produced between 1800 and 2500rpm, boosting low-down response.
In comparison, those numbers are a 27 percent increase over the old 2.2 diesel’s output.
Fuel consumption has improved by a claimed seven percent, bringing combined fuel economy to just 6.7 litres per 100km for the six-speed manual. The auto requires 7.5 l/100km over the same cycle.
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Looks good. Maybe still a little pricey compared to its competitiors.
What is the estimated ‘lifespan’ (how many km’s?), of the completely sealed unit auto transmission? I gather from other reports that it will never need an oil change?? Would it make to 300K or is this an unknown?
Hi Sean,
Hyundai’s claim is that it will last the “life of the vehicle”, however what that translates to in either time or mileage isn’t exactly clear.
Hi Tony
Considering waiting for the new 2010 Ford Territory. Is this car worth looking at as a viable option ?
Can you take it off road and is it available only available in a 2WD
Cheers
towing compasity automatic, and manual 2010 santa fe ,model prices
Was this car tested in the Southern Highlands or was it driven though the Southern Highlands because we saw two of them and they stoped out side i house, I think they were lost! thnx
I’ve read there is no trek n tow for this model. Do you know whether seperate tow kits will still be able to be fitted and not void the warranty? Thanks.
anybody know what the towing specs are, particularly the ball weight as previous model only had 150kg and was considered to low considering the 2000kg towing capacity
Thanks for a great review TMR. My wife and I just bought the Elite. By far it was the best performer out of our price range and other vehicles tested (vs 2010 Mazda CX-7 vs Nissan Xtrail ST-L)
Cant wait to pick it up this Friday!!
This is one of the most honest review website I’ve ever come accross, thank you and keep the good work.
Cheers
I am seriously close to buying one of these, the only thing holding me back is lack of real comment anywhere about off road performance - any comments would be useful
Thanx
Spent 10 min to seat inside one of these Santafe (Highlander) and the interior wasn’t that impressive as I expected for a vehicle over 50k. The glovebox is very small for such a big vehicle, the leather feel cheap, floor is just too shallow for rear passengers who’s above average height. One 3rd row seats is in use, not much space for shopping bags. Had a look at the the Sorrento the other day and I reckon the Sorrento has higher quality interior.
Just spent a week or so in a demo of the base model and have come away fairly impressed with this vehicle.
It is by no means perfect, but there are a lot of positives.
- The engine is great (doesn’t always encourage economy though) but has still managed to stay under 10l per 100km with mostly suburban and commuting duties. Minimal turbo lag and strong performance from 1600rpm up, also very smooth at higher revs. The six speed auto is a great match too.
- Handling for a soft roader with V8 torque is excellent. Acceleration in wet conditions or on a dry road when turning is positive and fuss free, with hardly any steering pull (try that in an Outlander and you’ll know what I mean). It is also very surefooted on windy roads or when being driven spiritedly (which is hardly what these are made for)
- Seat comfort is good and the access and useability of the rear (independently moveable) seats is handy. The middle row of seats will fit 3 people (Not comfortably possible in Forester and Outlander)
- Visibility and parking is easy with plenty of glass and reverse sensors for those trickier parks. This is a wider vehicle than you would expect so does take some getting used to.
- Level of standard equipment, means you can buy the base model and not feel too cheap!
- Radio / Speakers are good quality and iPod connectivity (with $60 cable) is very handy.
Some detracting points from me would resale (a little soft compared to some), seating position isn’t as good as some competitors (and other Hyundai models), iPod connection should have been in the centre console, floor level is a little high and middle row seats are fixed (ie don’t move forward or back, like the Outlander for example), needs shopping bag holders in the back. Also load area not as big as I would have liked (but really depends on what you are looking for)
I think the quality of trim materials, dash plastic etc are on par with other brands/vehicles in this price segment.
It would be high on the shopping list, but waiting to try the Kia Sorento, ix35 and the Mitsubishi RVR/ASX before working out what I’d like to get. I’ve been looking at the Outlander, Forester/Outback, Mondeo Wagon also.