Hyundai says in the intervening time it has sturdy availability of its Santa Fe Hybrid, which can simply be sufficient to coax you over from selecting its extra supply-constricted hybrid Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger rivals.
However there’s extra to suggest the hybrid Hyundai for than simply short wait times. Although a brand new technology will debut this year and certain go on sale in Australia subsequent yr, the present automobile was extensively overhauled lower than three years in the past.
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The thrifty hybrid joined the native line-up in direction of the tip of 2022, and it’s already outselling the base petrol V6.
After all, the diesel nonetheless accounts for the lion’s share of gross sales however when you’re diesel-averse, the hybrid makes for a compelling various – to not point out a tantalising substitute for a Sorento or Kluger.
How a lot does the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite Hybrid price?
Whereas petrol and diesel Santa Fes can be found in base, Lively, Elite and Highlander trim ranges, the Hybrid is out there solely in these two highest trim ranges.
Our tester is an Elite Hybrid, priced at $63,000 earlier than on-road prices. That’s a steep $6500 premium over the petrol Elite, although you acquire all-wheel drive along with the hybrid powertrain.
The premium over the diesel Elite is $3000.
Our tester had the non-compulsory Cognac Brown inside which is totally price the additional $295, whereas all paint finishes bar Glacier White and White Cream add an additional $695 to the worth tag.
The drive-away worth, based mostly on a New South Wales postcode, got here to $69,323.
The Kia Sorento Hybrid has the identical powertrain, however comes solely in a single trim stage if with a alternative of front- or all-wheel drive. The FWD mannequin is $72,322 drive-away, whereas the AWD mannequin is $75,472 drive-away.
The Toyota Kluger Hybrid is AWD-only, and in mid-range GXL guise rings up at $73,350 drive-away in NSW ($67,140 earlier than on-roads).
What’s the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite Hybrid like on the within?
The Santa Fe Hybrid’s cabin is well-built with a gorgeous array of supplies, and the non-compulsory Cognac Brown choice additional elevates the house.
There are stitching particulars on the armrests, the edges of the centre console and throughout the sprint. The stitching on the highest half of the sprint offers it the looks of being wrapped in leather-based, a chic contact, whereas the applying of soft-touch trim on the edges of the console the place your knee may relaxation is most welcome.
There’s a giant piece of laborious plastic trim on the higher half of the doorways, nevertheless it’s in any other case laborious to seek out fault with this inside. Even the knit headliner is good to the contact, whereas the diamond-patterned, metal-look trim is proof you don’t want gloss black trim to supply distinction. Different automakers ought to take be aware.
There’s a shelf on the passenger aspect of the sprint the place you possibly can put a telephone, in addition to a spacious shelf under the bridge-like centre console that’s massive sufficient to suit some purses; down right here you’ll additionally discover USB-A and 12V retailers.
The centre console storage bin can be a superb measurement, although the cupholders being at staggered heights is an odd contact, as are the bottle holders within the doorways that don’t assist you to simply arise a bottle.
The latter jogs my memory of my Genesis, as does the Santa Fe Hybrid’s incapacity to recollect your auto maintain and heated seat settings upon startup.
The centre console is slightly daunting at first, showing to have a sea of buttons. However we’ll take this over an inside that’s too reliant on a touchscreen. It helps, too, that there’s a mixture of tactile buttons, knobs and rocker switches.
The touchscreen infotainment system is simple to make use of and attractively introduced in typical Hyundai vogue, although there’s nonetheless no wi-fi smartphone mirroring. You’ll want a cable to make use of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
There’s no map view within the digital instrument cluster, however you do get pleasure from enticing shows and completely different ‘skins’ which are by default assigned to the completely different drive modes.
The Harman Kardon sound system was surprisingly disappointing given the model’s repute. We fiddled with the settings fairly a bit attempting to enhance the sound high quality nevertheless it nonetheless sounded moderately distant and tinny.
We additionally query the design of the wi-fi telephone charger. On one event, my telephone didn’t cost because it bought too scorching. One wonders if that’s as a result of there’s inadequate airflow, because it’s basically a vertical pit.
Step into the again and also you’ll discover a commodious second row. There’s a reasonably flat ground with minimal intrusion from the centre tunnel, and occupants get pleasure from air vents and a pair of USB-A retailers plus a fold-down armrest.
A change on the aspect of the kerbside seat routinely tumbles and slides the seat ahead.
There are solely child-seat anchor factors within the second row: three top-tether, plus an ISOFIX level for every of the outboard seats.
Within the third row, my head was up towards the roof and my knees towards the seatbacks. For reference, I’m 180cm tall. It’s actually no worse than a Kluger again right here, nevertheless it’s nonetheless best-suited for kids. The boxier next-generation mannequin could rectify this challenge.
The second row is cut up in two with each side in a position to slide to liberate more room for third-row occupants. Third-row occupants even have cupholders, vents, fan pace controls, a single 12V outlet and a single USB-A outlet.
With the third row up, there’s 130L of house – scarcely sufficient for a typical suitcase. Drop that row and there’s 571L of house, although you possibly can increase this to 782L by sliding the second row ahead.
Press the buttons to drop the second row and there’s 1649L. A full-size spare is situated underneath the automobile, not precisely widespread these days as increasingly more vehicles supply space-saver spares or mere tyre restore kits.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Santa Fe Hybrid makes use of a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 132kW of energy and 265Nm of torque, mated with a 44.2kW/264Nm electrical motor and a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.
Whole system outputs are 169kW at 5500rpm and 350Nm between 1000-4500rpm.
It makes use of a six-speed computerized transmission and lively on-demand all-wheel drive.
The official mixed cycle gas financial system declare is 6.0L/100km – simply 0.1L thriftier than the diesel – and over a mixture of inner-city, suburban and freeway driving we averaged 5.9L/100km.
On one journey, consisting largely of freeway driving, we noticed as little as 5.4L/100km, although the everyday freeway commute every day noticed the Santa Fe Hybrid recording gas financial system within the low 6s.
Gasoline financial system within the low 6s can be what we noticed within the barely smaller GWM Haval H6 and Nissan X-Trail e-Power hybrids, so that is thrifty for a three-row SUV. It’s price noting on an analogous loop, we averaged 5.9L/100km in a Kluger hybrid, so the Santa Fe is greater than aggressive.
Not like a Kluger, it’s rated to run on 91RON common unleaded gas, which helps hold working prices low. The gas tank measures 67 litres.
The Hybrid does take a success by way of towing capability over petrol and diesel fashions, with the braked towing determine dropping from 2500kg to 1650kg.
How does the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite Hybrid drive?
For those who’re popping out of a hybrid Kluger, the Santa Fe Hybrid will really feel a bit completely different. The petrol engine will generally fireplace sooner than within the Kluger, however conversely you’ll generally see the EV mild come on throughout high-speed driving.
There’s additionally no button for an EV-only mode, although within the Kluger this cuts out the second you apply an excessive amount of throttle or exceed a sure pace anyway.
When solely the electrical motor is working, there’s a ghostly automobile sound to warn pedestrians you’re on the transfer.
Whereas the transitions to and from electrical energy is usually a little much less predictable than in a Toyota, they’re typically clean and there’s additionally not one of the e-CVT slurring within the Santa Fe attributable to the usage of a conventional computerized.
The shifts are clean and however for a bent to hunt for gears a tad a lot on hilly roads, we now have no complaints with this transmission. The push-button gear selector isn’t as nice to make use of as a conventional shifter or rotary dial, nonetheless.
The Santa Fe Hybrid is punchy, and although it received’t push you again in your seat it has greater than sufficient energy to get out of its personal approach.
The engine be aware is inoffensive. It’s not probably the most inspiring sound, nevertheless it’s not as gruff as a few of Hyundai’s four-cylinder engines.
Experience consolation is superb. It’s much less floaty than a Kluger and but is impressively damped, with bumps effectively absorbed – it feels poised, but comfy.
The Santa Fe Hybrid is an effective steer. The steering is probably a contact heavier than anticipated of a automobile on this section and street really feel isn’t plentiful, however the tiller is total fairly confidence-inspiring.
Physique roll is well-controlled for a automobile this measurement and the Santa Fe Hybrid total feels balanced and surprisingly nimble for a bigger crossover. That is bigger than a Toyota RAV4, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel it.
You may pop the Santa Fe Hybrid into Sport mode which provides some synthetic steering resistance and holds onto gears a bit longer. It doesn’t do the latter in an obnoxious method, not like some vehicles’ Sport modes, however we didn’t really feel the necessity to use this drive mode. We additionally didn’t hassle with the paddle shifters, although they’re pleasantly tactile.
Along with Eco, Sport and Sensible drive modes, there are additionally Snow, Mud and Sand terrain modes.
On the freeway, the Santa Fe Hybrid’s cabin is quiet with solely a touch of wind noise coming into the cabin.
Hyundai’s Lane Following Help is often distinctive at protecting its automobiles centred in a lane, however the calibration appears a bit off within the Santa Fe Hybrid. The shortage of camera-based site visitors signal recognition is a bit disappointing.
What do you get?
Santa Fe Elite Hybrid highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size alloy spare
- Automated LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights, positioning lights, fog lights and tail lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Satin chrome exterior trim
- Digital parking brake with auto maintain
- Keyless entry and begin
- Rear privateness glass
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Passenger Discuss operate (driver’s voice projected via rear audio system)
- Leather-based upholstery
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- 10-way energy driver’s seat with two-way energy lumbar
- 8-way energy passenger’s seat
- Heated entrance seats
- Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- Knit headliner
- Electro-chromatic rear-view mirror
It’s a fairly complete tools record, although if you’d like all of the fruit you possibly can step as much as the Highlander. It provides options like ventilated entrance seats, a head-up show, panoramic sunroof, and Nappa leather-based upholstery.
Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite Hybrid protected?
Whereas petrol and diesel variations of the Santa Fe have a five-star ANCAP security score, based mostly on testing performed in 2018, hybrid fashions stay unrated.
Santa Fe petrol and diesel fashions acquired an grownup occupant safety rating of 94 per cent, youngster occupant safety rating of 86 per cent, pedestrian safety rating of 67 per cent, and security help rating of 78 per cent.
Commonplace security options embrace:
- Entrance, centre, aspect, and curtain airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Lane-keep help
- Blind-spot help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Driver consideration warning
- Reversing digital camera
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Tyre stress monitoring
Notably, the blind-spot and rear cross-traffic options will actively intervene if a collision is detected. In lots of rivals, these are merely alerts.
Additionally included are Hyundai’s Secure Exit Help, which actively prevents occupants from opening a door into oncoming site visitors, and a rear seat occupant alert which makes use of radar to detect when you’ve left anyone within the again seat and notifies you when you attempt to lock the automobile with them inside.
Stepping as much as the Highlander nets you rear AEB, a surround-view digital camera, and Hyundai’s Blind-Spot View Monitor and Distant Sensible Parking Help.
How a lot does the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite Hybrid price to run?
The Santa Fe is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, whereas the high-voltage battery is roofed for eight years or 160,000km.
Servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000km, with the primary 5 companies capped at $459 every, or $2295 all up.
Not solely are these intervals shorter than a Kluger hybrid (12 months or 15,000km), every service prices extra. The Toyota’s first 5 visits to the servicing division will set you again $265 every, or $1325 over 5 years.
Nevertheless, the Santa Fe does look higher towards its Kia Sorento cousin. It has the identical servicing intervals, however its first 5 visits are capped at $329, $669, $402, $985 and $370 ($2755 in complete).
CarExpert’s Tackle the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite Hybrid
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid makes loads of sense in comparison with key rivals.
It has a classier inside than a Kluger, is extra available than a Sorento, and gives equally spectacular gas financial system to each.
I don’t thoughts the styling nevertheless it received’t be to everybody’s style. That mentioned, the Kluger is not any magnificence queen, both. And whereas the hybrid powertrain has a really completely different really feel to Toyota’s, the tip outcome is similar: wonderful gas financial system. A pity the Hyundai is costlier to service.
In opposition to its personal stablemates, the case for the Santa Fe Hybrid is slightly weaker. Hyundai expenses a steep premium over the diesel mannequin for nearly equivalent gas financial system, and whereas the Hybrid is clean and refined, the diesel is not any tractor.
For those who will need to have a three-row hybrid SUV, nonetheless, the Santa Fe is a compelling alternative.
It has all of the strengths of different Santa Fe fashions like balanced dealing with, polished trip high quality, a gorgeous inside (with buttons!) and an extended record of ordinary tools.
It stacks up remarkably effectively for a automobile that’s on the very finish of its lifecycle.
MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe
Professionals
- Engaging, well-appointed inside
- Undercuts key rivals
- Easy, responsive powertrain
Cons
- Steep premium over different Santa Fe powertrains
- Shorter, pricier servicing intervals than a Kluger
- Gasoline financial system virtually equivalent to cheaper diesel
High Line Specs
- Energy: 132kW
- Gasoline Sort: Unleaded Petrol/Electrical
- Financial system: 6L/100km
- CO2 Emissions: 137g/km
- ANCAP Security Ranking: 5
