subject: Under Review : Hyundai Santa Fe [print this page] Of all the automotive winners and losers starting to surface from the global financial mess, the biggest winners must surely be South Korean manufacturers, spearheaded by their own biggest, Hyundai.
Hyundai's market share in New Zealand has shot up from 2.9% in 2004 to 7% YTD 2009, almost doubling the sales volume of 5 years ago.
A brand that has truly taken on the world's heavyweights head to head, with a wide product line appealing to buyers in many market segments, Hyundai is in the enviable position of having a good spread of product with big market shares in all parts of the globe.
In order to illustrate Hyundai's strong global position, 2009 is 9.5% up on 2008, with total production of 2.67 million units taking the Korean giant to 4th position globally, having overtaken Ford.
Hyundai New Zealand's National Sales Manager, Tom Ruddenklau says Hyundai has its sights on the number 1 position in passenger car sales in New Zealand and has strategies in place to get there.
There's nothing like success today to flow on to even more success tomorrow.
Profits made from years of strong business have contributed to an R&D budget of NZ$227 million for the Santa Fe's new R series diesel engine alone.
Already New Zealand's number 1 selling diesel brand, and the Santa Fe New Zealand's number 1 selling diesel model, the stage is set for bigger and better things to come.
Externally, the face lifted Santa Fe gets a revised grille and front bumper with new fog lights, new tail lights and rear bumper, as well as changes to alloy wheel designs and silica compound tyres for improved efficiency.
Cabin ambience is lifted a notch or two, with new carbon fiber style dash inserts with titanium-look accents, an updated sound system, instrument cluster and a/c control panel, a re-styled steering wheel and a push-button keyless start system.
What a cracking engine!
But the biggest improvements relate to the drivelines, with the new 2.2 R Series diesel engine being the jewel in the crown.
Sister company, Kia has chosen this engine in New Zealand for its new Sorento without the clean burning particulate filter option, but Hyundai has done the right thing here by fitting it as standard.
Now with 145kW of power, and 436Nm of torque, the new Santa Fe 2.2R CRDi is a lively performer, with power output up 35kW and torque up a massive 101Nm from the previous 2.2 CRDi.
Assisted by an intelligent slick shifting new 6 Speed automatic transmission that never hints at having selected the wrong ratio, ample power delivery in the upper-mid-sized SUV is always in abundance.
Truly a great performer both on and off road.
On road performance, comfort and handling are among the best in class and overall fit and finish is of the highest standard.
Our test track at launch took us over a wide range of surfaces, from motorway, course chip open roads, unsealed corrugated surfaces, off-road terrain and even some sandy beach driving.
The Santa Fe took each surface in its stride, was well balanced at open road speeds and was perfectly poised and sure footed on steep hill country.
If petrol power is more your thing, the old 2.7 liter V6 has been replaced with two options, a 2.4 liter 128kW four cylinder or a 206kW 3.5 liter V6. The V6 is offered in 2WD only. Fuel consumption is quoted at 7.5L/100km for the 2.2R diesel, 9.4L/100km for the 2.4 liter petrol and 9.6L/100km for the V6.
Towing capacity across the range is rated at 750kg unbraked and 2,000kg braked.
All models achieve a 5 Star ANCAP safety rating with ESP (Stability Programme), ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist, 6 airbags including curtains front to rear.
The entry level 2.4 liter petrol version is available in five seat configuration only, while seven seat configuration is optional on the 2.2R CRDi and standard on the 2.2 CRDi Elite. The 3.5 V6 Elite is offered in seven-seat configuration only.
Elite models get a reversing camera, leather faced seats and duel zone climate air-conditioning. Depending on model, pricing ranges from $52,990 through to $65,990.
by: Jepan Mihai.
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