- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
2.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
138kW, 241Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 9.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Hyundai Santa Fe Active 2018 Review
'Entry Level' models generally aren't the most appealing variants.
Used to describe the cheapest model in any line-up it brings negative connotations that you're missing out on something better. But that isn’t always the case, as this new Hyundai Santa Fe.
The Active is the ‘entry-level’ model in the range, sitting beneath the Elite and Highlander Santa Fe, and is the only version available with a petrol engine in the line-up.
The 2.4-litre four-cylinder four-cylinder may not be as powerful or efficient as the 2.2-litre turbo diesel that comes standard in the Elite and Highlander but it's still good enough to do the job and gives families an option to avoid the controversy currently surrounding diesel technology.
What’s more the Active is just as stylish and excellent value as its more expensive siblings so it could change the way you think about entry-level models.
- More premium looks.
- Nicely presented interior.
- Well sorted chassis.
- Petrol engine lacks punch of diesel.
- Engine is also thirstier than diesel.
- Third row still tight on knee room.
Is it right for me?
Hyundai has tried to add more style and sophistication to the new Santa Fe range but it remains a car built for families.
The South Korean brand has catered to the current popularity of seven-seat SUVs by making this new model bigger and most spacious inside than its predecessor in a bid to make it even more appealing to large families which need six or seven seats on a regular basis.
Can I afford it ?
The Active is priced from $43,000 (plus on-road costs) and if you really prefer the diesel engine you can get that for an extra $3000.
That’s a competitive price for the Santa Fe as it puts it below or on par with key rivals including the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Kluger.
What do you get for your money?
While it may not have as many creature comforts as the more expensive Santa Fe models, Hyundai has equipped the Active with all the important gear including 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.
It also gets a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive included in the price.
What’s more it also comes with the full suite of active safety features as the rest of the range, so autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assist, active cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention warning and high beam assist are all included.
How much does it cost to maintain?
Servicing costs are covered by Hyundai’s lifetime capped price scheme which requires visits ever 15,000km or 12 months. Prices are reasonable for a big SUV with a minor service costing $315 while a major visit, which is only every 60,000km, is $420.
Is it well built?
Hyundai backs up all of its new models with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. While that may increasingly the norm, the South Korean brand was the first to offer such lengthy coverage which underlines its faith in its product.
What are the Standout features?
As well built and well equipped as the Santa Fe may be it’s the new looks that really strike a chord. The brand has made a deliberate move to give its various models more differentiation and to try and create ‘family’ styling for its SUVs.
The result is a bolder look for this new Santa Fe compared to the more generic examples that came before it. In keeping with that family theme there are elements shared with the compact Kona SUV, such as the thin front lights, but it has been executed better than the cluttered front end of the Kona.
What does it have that others don't?
As interesting as the exterior is, it’s the interior of the Santa Fe that gives this new model a big advantage in an increasingly competitive seven-seat SUV contest. The quality and presentation of the cabin is a huge step forward, not just for the brand but also the SUV market in general.
Hyundai has introduced textures and trim elements that would previously have been exclusive to more premium badged cars - such as the 3D waveform pattern on the speaker covers.
While there are still some cheaper looking elements that represent its place in the Santa Fe range, overall the effect of the new design is positive.
How practical is it?
The company hasn’t forgotten this is a family car so there’s still excellent storage scattered thoughtfully around the cabin.
There’s cup holders, storage shelves, USB charging ports and seat back pockets to stow your odds and ends. The only criticism are the door pockets are a bit narrow and don’t swallow a large bottle as easily as some rivals.
Is it comfortable?
The cloth-trimmed seats look nice and offer good support for a family SUV, even if they are a little firm. But there’s good space across all three rows as Hyundai has expanded the cabin dimensions.
There’s more room throughout thanks to a longer wheelbase and the second and third row is where you feel it the most directly. The second row seats can slide forwards up to 300mm to trade-off more room in the back row when needed. The transmission tunnel has also been lowered so there’s more foot space for the passenger in the middle of the second row.
The third row is still tighter on knee room than some rivals (such as the CX-9) but headroom has been increased so taller kids can fit more comfortably.
Easy in, easy out?
Getting in and out of the third row is easier than before with the second row seats able to tilt and slide out of the way to create a bigger opening to the back. Hyundai says the aperture for third row access is now 36mm larger than before.
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Space and versatility?
The boot has also grown in size too with 130-litres of space behind the seats when all three rows are in use. That’s still pretty small if you need to take luggage or shopping with a full load of passengers.
It expands to a generous 547-litres once the third row is stowed and if you need to carry an extra large load with the second row seats folded down the cargo area measures 1625-litres.
What's the engine like?
Despite all the styling changes, Hyundai has largely carried over the engines from the previous model. So the 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol unit is a variation of the same ‘Theta II’ found in the old model. It produces 138kW of power and 241Nm of torque which are both reasonable figures and gives the Santa Fe respectable performance on road. However, the petrol engine delivers its best performance higher up in the rev range than the turbo diesel so you do have to work it harder to extract maximum performance.
You certainly miss that low-end pulling power offered up by the 440Nm diesel option, but if you can’t stretch the budget or just prefer the smoother, quieter nature of a petrol engine the 2.4-litre powerplant is adequate.
How much fuel does it consume?
It is thirstier than the diesel though, with a claimed rating of 9.3-litres per 100km on the combined urban/freeway cycle. That means you’re likely to see real-world returns in the low teens, which isn’t great and suggests Hyundai should be planning for upgraded and more efficient engines for the Santa Fe’s mid-life upgrade.
Is it enjoyable to drive?
Hyundai Australia’s decision to tune all of its cars and SUVs to the unique local conditions continues to pay off. The Santa Fe rides with both composure and sure-footedness, soaking up bumps while still giving the driver responsive handling. The steering is nicely weighted so it never feels like a big, cumbersome SUV to drive.
The biggest annoyance is the active lane keeping assistance system, which can take control of the steering when it detects the lane markings. In theory it’s a great idea and a nice safety addition to include in the Active model. In reality is becomes an irritation that makes you feel like you’re fighting the car at times. Some fine-tuning in making the system more subtle and better integrated would be a step in the right direction.
Does it perform as you expect?
The Santa Fe Active powered by the petrol engine isn’t the pick of the range - the diesel engine is the better choice for its stronger response off the mark and lower fuel consumption. But that’s not to say this is a bad choice. It offers a stylish and sophisticated way to transport your family in safety and comfort at an affordable price.