As soon as the new generation Hyundai Santa Fe broke cover people began comparing it to a Range Rover, or at least to the Land Rover Discovery. It’s a much boxier, more angular and upright design than the Santa Fes that have gone before and I don’t doubt there was some Land Rover/Range Rover influence in at least the back of the designer’s mind.
But my headline isn’t about the Santa Fe’s exterior looks. No, I think the new Santa Fe is a better Range Rover in the way that it provides luxury SUV motoring for a fraction of the price and with added peace-of-mind from a five-year warranty.
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Now, I know what you’re thinking – ‘there’s no way a Hyundai is as luxurious as a Range Rover.’ And maybe it can’t quite match the opulence and plushness of the range-topping Rangies, but after spending a week in the top-of-the-line Santa Fe Calligraphy, I don’t know if I could be convinced to spend the money on the British SUV even if money was no object.
Yes, the new Santa Fe is that good.
It starts before you even open the door. Hyundai is offering the Calligraphy with two matte paint finishes (Creamy White and Earthy Brass) in addition to the eight other exterior hues to choose from. The Calligraphy also gets an exclusive ‘blacked-out treatment’ that sees the badging, wheels and body cladding all finished in black for a unique and premium look.
Then you open the door and the impressive elements keep coming. For starters, the Santa Fe is a deceptively low SUV, finding a nice balance between giving you an elevated view of the road without the need to bring a step-ladder to get in.
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Once inside the driver’s seat is trimmed in soft leather (of which there are three colours to choose from) and come complete with Hyundai’s ‘Relaxation Seating’ set-up that includes leg rests for the front seat occupants.
From there you look down upon a huge double-screen display that looks and feels suitably modern and hi-tech. In-between the two front seats is a double-decker centre console that is wide enough for two wireless smartphone chargers – which is something I haven’t seen in any other car, let alone one at this price point.
If that’s not enough, you can also pop your phone, or any other small item, in the small storage area in front of the passenger which features a UV sterilisation light to kill any germs on the surface.
You get treated with all the creature comforts you expect from a luxury SUV, like a Range Rover, including dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. So you are well catered for as the driver, but the luxuries don’t stop there.
In the second row there are two captain’s chairs, meaning there’s no need for the kids or your friends to squeeze across a bench seat. Instead they can relax in their own personal space and enjoy the ride.
The third row seats are tighter, but there’s no seven-seat SUV on the market today that has a spacious back row. But by having the extra room, space for six in total, the Santa Fe is a great family car as it allows smaller families to bring along their friends or your grandparents when the situation calls for it.
So that’s how the Santa Fe Calligraphy looks after those on the inside, but how does it drive? Well, Hyundai Australia has launched the new Santa Fe range with a new hybrid powertrain. Like the rest of the range, the Calligraphy is equipped with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor that produces 172kW of power and 367Nm of torque. It’s paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and, in the case of the Calligraphy, an all-wheel drive system.
The hybrid isn’t a potent powertrain but it offers the kind of performance you need in a family-friendly SUV, with respectable pulling power and smooth operation between the petrol engine and electric motor.
One disappointment, which we mentioned in our previous Santa Fe review, is Hyundai Australia’s decision not to tune all of its offerings to the local road conditions. This was something the company did previously and it made a tangible positive impact in the way its cars rode and handled. The Santa Fe isn’t uncomfortable or rides poorly, and Hyundai Australia gave its expert input into the global suspension tune, but it feels like there’s room for improvement.
Still, given the level of luxury the Calligraphy offers it’s hard not to be impressed with the new Santa Fe. Especially when you factor in the price, with the range-topping model starting at $75,000 (plus on-road costs), which compares very favourably to would-be luxury rivals. The Land Rover Discovery starts at more than $116k, so if you can look beyond the badge you’ll find yourself with a lot more luxury SUV for the money with the new Santa Fe.
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