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Seven seater comparison review: Hyundai Santa Fe 30

The Hyundai Santa Fe better at pleasing its driver, rather than shifting a tribe of seven, as we uncover headroom and visibility issues in the third row.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
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First published in the October 2016 issue of Wheels magazine, Australia's best car mag since 1953.

The Hyundai Santa Fe better at pleasing its driver, rather than shifting a tribe of seven

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IF THERE’S one vehicle that clearly stands out as a driver’s express among this motley crew, it’s Hyundai’s Santa Fe.

Tuned in Australia to deliver precise handling and some enthusiast appeal, this limited-edition ‘30’ (see sidebar) introduces Hyundai’s punchy 3.3-litre petrol V6 to the Series II Santa Fe line-up for best-in-class acceleration to back up its sporting claims.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 30Thing is, it could be argued that the excellent Mazda CX-9 is also a driver’s car – one that manages to spread its talents across a broad field covering ride quality and refinement, as well as driver appeal. And that leaves the handling-biased Santa Fe high and dry if we’re viewing these chariots in a seven-seat context.

On its lonesome, the sharp-looking Hyundai has enough sex appeal to reel in surfing and adventure types looking for an SUV not hindered by any ‘old codger’ stigma. Handsome, masculine Mineral Blue paint and charcoal 19s are supported by hot-hatch-rivalling 7.6sec 0-100km/h ability and a chassis that’s quite chuckable and decently grippy, negating any concerns that the front-drive Santa Fe might struggle for traction (on bitumen, at least).

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 30But then there’s the Hyundai Santa Fe’s steering, which is arguably too heavily weighted even in its default mode, and definitely a step too far in ‘Sport’. Combined with an oddly shaped steering wheel with overly fat spokes, and reach adjustment that doesn’t extend far enough, the Santa Fe almost trips on its own sneaker laces. And while it relishes enthusiasm in twisty terrain, its drivetrain isn’t quite on the same page, refusing a manual downshift until the tacho is showing less than 5000rpm, even though the V6’s rev ceiling is a heady 6850rpm.

The other downside is Santa Fe’s ride. Regardless of the surface, its suspension is constantly busy, jostling away underneath like a massage function, though it recovers beautifully from the big hits that country Australia can still deliver, and it’s reasonably quiet. Yet despite leather facings in this tricked-out variant, Santa Fe’s front seats rate only average for comfort, beaten by the middle row for under-thigh support (if not lumbar support), and trounced by the Kia pews for generosity of padding.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 30Still, could be worse. You could be sentenced to Santa Fe’s third row. Styling’s gain is clearly at packaging and vision’s expense, since the rear section offers far-from-adequate vision or headroom. It’s like being below-deck on a U-boat, though air vents with a three-position fan save it from being complete claustrophobia. You’d only ever put kids back there, unless you really dislike your in-laws that much.

The rest of the Santa Fe’s interior is quite liveable. Nothing class-leading, mind, but a distinctive (if plasticky) dash design with functional controls and neatly symmetrical his-and-hers switch blanks. It lacks the colour and design flair of the better cabins here, but even when drenched in sombre charcoal tones, the Santa Fe feels far more cheerful and upmarket than the Captiva or Pathfinder.

2016-Hyundai -Santa -Fe -30-third -rowWhat ultimately kills the Santa Fe under such focused seven-seat scrutiny, though, is its sizing. With a shorter wheelbase than even the Holden Captiva, and significantly less interior room than its newer Kia Sorento relative, the Santa Fe simply doesn’t have the real estate to tackle the breeder market head-on.

But as an appealing, double-income-no-kids SUV, where fur babies and Ikea visits might take preference, the Santa Fe 30 is bloody good value and a good drive to boot.

Dirty thirties

To celebrate three decades since Alan Bond invited us to say “Hi to Hi-un-die”, Hyundai has launched two Special Edition ’30’ models – an all-wheel-drive Tucson 30 with a 1.6-litre turbo donk for $37,750 and this front-drive V6 Santa Fe 30 for a razor-sharp $40,790. Among its inclusions are unique paint, 19-inch wheels, heated mirrors, chrome door handles, tyre-pressure monitors, leather-appointed seats, dual-zone climate control and a chilled glovebox, adding to an already extensive list of standard Santa Fe kit.

Hyundai

SPECS
Price as tested: $40,790
Engine: 3342cc V6 (60°), dohc, 24v
Power: 199kW @ 6400rpm
Torque: 318Nm @ 5300rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Dimensions (L/W/H/W-B): 4700/1880/1690/2700mm
Weight: 1844kg
Cargo capacity: 516 litres
Tyres: Hankook Ventus Prime 2 235/55R19 101H
Test fuel cons: 13.8L/100km
0-100km/h: 7.6sec
0-400m: 15.5sec @ 147.9km/h
80-120km/h: 5.0sec
3yr resale: n/a
Plus: Sharp handling; strong brakes; performance; value
Minus: Unsettled ride; compromised vision
Verdict: 6.0

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Opportunity knocked, but Nissan didn’t fully open the door. We find the Nissan Pathfinder, while smooth and likeable, falls short of the competition.

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The Toyota Kluger offends no one by sticking to the middle of the road. There’s no escaping that the Toyota offers plenty for the money.

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The Volkswagen Multivan is certainly the leader of the space race, if not quite the final frontier. Commercial vehicle origins let it down against more sophisticated competition.

Ellen Dewar
Nathan Jacobs

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