Hyundai's posh Santa Fe hits SA

The top-end SUV in Hyundai SA's local model range enters the market in three derivatives with a choice of features and drivetrains.

Buyers in this segment are given a choice between the front-wheel-drive Santa Fe Premium and the two all-wheel-drive derivatives — the Executive and the Elite. When carrying more passengers is a priority, the Executive and Elite with their third row of seats that fold away into the cargo floor, offers another option to make it an even more versatile vehicle.

The third generation of Santa Fe is designed to be manageable in a city environment, with flexible seating arrangements and clever use of internal space.Other companies want a piece of that iPhone headset action It has a high ground clearance, an all-wheel drive system in the Executive and Elite, and a frugal, efficient turbodiesel engine.

Building on Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design philosophy, the exterior of the Santa Fe features a bold hexagonal front grille. A rising belt-line and shoulder line behind the rear door handles is a stand-out feature.

The front Xenon headlights get rectangular lenses, there are LED side repeaters in the rear clusters, and gloss black finishing does duty on the door frames and pillars.

At the rear, detailing includes a sporty twin muffler with double exhaust tips, a diffuser style moulding beneath the bumper, and an LED high-level brake light. Alloy wheels are standard - 17-inch rims are fitted to the Premium derivative, while the Executive comes with 18-inch and the Elite with 19-inch rims. A full alloy spare wheel is located under the cargo floor.

Longer and wider than the previous generation model, the all-new Santa Fe provides improved legroom and increased headroom in the first row. Seating convenience is improved by lowering hip point and ground clearance, while doors that extend to the bottom of the sills make access easier.

Seating arrangements are particularly versatile. A 12-way power adjustable driver's seat is a feature unique to the Elite derivative. Reminiscent of the type of seats typically found in large luxury SUVs, the second row can be slid back or forwards for added convenience, and can also be reclined and split fold for extra carrying capacity.

Boot space in the all-new Santa Fe is 1003 litres in the Premium five-seater,We've got a plastic card to suit you. and 994 litres in the seven-seater Executive and Elite. A new centre console storage box, deep door pockets and a sizable lockable glove box contribute to the overall storage space in the new Santa Fe. Remote folding of the second row seats simplifies the conversion of the interior luggage space for carrying large and bulky items like pushchairs and bicycles.

All models come with Dual Zone Climate Control, with a switch to activate the air conditioner for the second- and third-row passengers. A glove box cooler also keeps contents chilled.

The flagship Elite model features a tiny video camera that assists the driver when reversing or parking by showing in the rear-view mirror what is going on behind the car.

Among the many neat touches that highlight the premium nature of the all-new Santa Fe are automatic electric folding mirrors, an automatic rain sensor with speed-sensitive windscreen wipers, and the full-length panoramic sunroof that is standard in the Elite. Letting in even more light than conventional panoramic sunroofs, the Santa Fe's sunroof eliminates the centre beam and installs motor-driven roller blinds.

The all-new Santa Fe offers four-speaker and two-tweeter audio system. The system with its radio and CD player includes ports for aux cables, iPod and a USB connection for the use of various music and audio sources. The audio system can be operated via the steering wheel remote controls.

The turbodiesel delivers its power to the wheels through a smooth-shifting automatic six-speed transmission that offers the option of manual shift control.

The all-wheel drive system in the Executive and Elite delivers power through the front wheels under normal road conditions for optimum economy and fuel efficiency, but engages the rear wheels automatically when conditions demand it.Can you spot the answer in the fridge magnet? It also features a 4WD lock mode selector that distributes power in a 50:50 ratio to front and rear wheels for increased off-road ability,Wear a whimsical Disney ear cap straight from the Disney Theme Parks! while automatically switching to "Auto" mode to protect the drive system when the vehicle speed increases to 40km/h.

A Flex Steer system offers three steering modes that are selectable via a switch on the steering wheel, enabling the driver to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport according to road conditions.

Suspension is by Macpherson struts at the front, and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Dynamic dampers deliver saloon car-like levels of comfort and control, whilst the Flex Steer system offers improved precision and feel.

All AWD Santa Fes have an intelligent control unit that continuously analyses data from the vehicle controller, and through a multi-clutch plate distributes torque to any single wheel at a time. The coupling system is fully controllable via an electro-hydraulic actuation system. Braking force can also be sent to any single wheel at a time via the software. These processes are known as torque vectoring and torque braking. All this analysis is completely transparent to the driver.

Cutting-edge preventive safety systems offer optimal driving stability and require minimum effort from the driver, yet deliver maximum results on virtually any road condition.Comprehensive Wi-Fi and RFID tag by Aeroscout to accurately locate and track any asset or person. The application of these safety systems and technologies has earned the all-new Santa Fe a full house of five stars in the stringent test regimen of the European New Car Assessment Programme.