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Tag: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

  • 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Review: Modern Diesel Innovation Meets Value

    2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Review: Modern Diesel Innovation Meets Value

    Examining the Redesigned Santa Fe with Advanced Engine, Improved Economy, and Strong Market Presence

    Table of Contents

    Introduction: Hyundai’s New Direction

    Hyundai’s revised Santa Fe offers the mass market reasonably priced, modern diesel engine technology. Starting from $37,990, the face-lifted Santa Fe receives a revamped interior and appearance plus a full new engine and gearbox system, promising exceptional fuel economy and drivability.

    Changing Perceptions of Korean Cars

    At one point, people thought Korean cars were cheap, ugly, and somewhat unreliable. Many folks out there will refuse to purchase a Korean car due to its seeming brand reputation. Until a few years ago, I was among those folks asking Hyundai questions. No, no, purchase Japanese if you want it to stay; these days, Japanese automobiles are so popular that even once ardent European or Australian car enthusiasts are moving over.

    Well, let me tell you, times have surely changed. If you remember the old Hyundai Excels, you might still have that negative opinion of the Hyundai brand. First of all, some 10–20 years later, the quantity of old Excels you still find around suggests that the bad-reliability myth was only that — a myth. Second, it’s time to visit a Hyundai dealership and check out the range if you still link Hyundai with Excels of old.

    Hyundai’s Growing Market Success

    While its Japanese rivals are losing market share due to the economic crisis, Hyundai us has increased sales by a stunning 36% between January and September of this year compared to the previous year. The company has so far this year raised sales globally by an amazing 61.3 percent.

    Back at home, the Hyundai Getz is the top-selling light vehicle; the i30 is the third best seller in its class after the Corolla and Mazda2; the Tucson is the best-selling small SUV; and the iLoad still ranks second among vans. Although the Santa Fe has such credentials to highlight, Hyundai has found great success as a demonstration of the company’s ideas and drive for success.

    Competitive Context: SUVs and Market Rivals

    To put that into context, the Toyota Kluger and Prado and the Korean-based Holden Captiva are selling on average over 1,000 units per month, and the Ford Territory is around the 900 mark. The previous Santa Fe model was selling about 250 units per month.

    Design and Mechanical Updates

    As is typical of automakers, some will modify a few bumpers and add some new alloys to keep consumers engaged when a model is around halfway through its life. Apart from a brand-new turbo diesel engine and gear system, the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is basically the same deal.

    Engine and Transmission: The Heart of the Santa Fe

    Designed jointly by Hyundai/Kia at a cost of around $250 million, the new R-2.2 turbo diesel engine is the same one featured in the newly launched all-new Kia Sorento, which generates 145 kW and 430 Nm torque (421 Nm in manual mode).

    Should those figures signify nothing to you, allow me to offer you a non-technical justification. Ten years ago, nobody would have thought a 2.2-liter engine could generate that much torque and power. Since most modern European diesel engines cannot equal those numbers, it is reasonable to note that this engine was indeed created in Germany.

    Among its class, the R-spec diesel engine is the smallest, lightest, and most powerful one. The Koreans have made an engine that can compete with both the Japanese and the Europeans.

    New Six-Speed Automatic Transmission

    On top of it, they have been occupied creating a completely new automatic transmission. Please consider the work done on this gearbox if you seek further justification for Hyundai’s commitment. Only Toyota, General Motors, and Ford produced their own gearboxes in-house until recently; four long years later, the Hyundai/Kia group may now join that select list.

    Somehow, the six-speed automatic transmission is 12 kg lighter than the five-speed it substitutes. It uses 62 fewer components and is 41mm shorter. It’s also a totally sealed machine that calls for no servicing or oil changes. Its intended lifetime is that of the vehicle.

    Fuel Economy and Real-World Performance

    While the automatic comes in at 7.5 L/100 km, in manual taste the combined (city and country) consumption is 6.7 L/100 km; mating the engine and gearbox together has produced some amazing fuel economy results.

    Under co-piloting by none other than our own editor, John Cadogan, the Santa Fe went almost 3,000 km from the top to the bottom of Australia during the recent Global Green Challenge, improving its ADR combined fuel number by 23.8%. Fascinatingly, it just beats its primary competitor, the Kia Sorento, which runs on the same engine and transmission and weighs roughly 80 kg less.

    Exterior and Interior Enhancements

    Hyundai brought the automotive journalists to Adelaide to test drive the 2010 Santa Fe over tight mountain and dirt paths. The 2010 Santa Fe’s revised rear light cluster is the most noticeable change, giving the car a much more modern appearance. The new grille is working in the front, but to the untrained eye the makeover may seem a touch subdued.

    Once inside, you will find some more subdued improvements, including the aluminum-effect finishes around the cabin and carbon-graphite-style accents. On high-spec models, a reverse camera is also buried within the driver’s rearview mirror.

    Features and Technology

    Features carried over are heated outside mirrors, cruise control and steering wheel-mounted controls, and USB audio connection with iPod® compatibility. Advance in the range, and you won’t even need a conventional key with a push-button start and proximity key incorporated.

    Safety Innovations: Rollover Sensors and Emergency Braking

    Rollover sensors and an emergency braking system are two recently discovered fascinating aspects of the Santa Fe. Hyundai claims the Santa Fe’s computers will automatically apply maximum brake pressure when the driver abruptly applies significant pressure to the brake pedals in an emergency.

    Not a completely fresh, groundbreaking concept, but nonetheless a fantastic quality.

    It’s odd that we find rollover sensors in the Santa Fe, as convertibles only typically have these sensors. Seat belt pretensioners will pull the occupants back into their seats and activate side airbags should the sensors identify an impending rollover.

    Practicality and Seating

    The Santa Fe is a really useful car with a seven-passenger capacity; yet, if adults are involved, it’s fair to say it’s best utilized for children or very short-distance drives after a brief two-minute spell in the third row.

    Driving Experience

    We immediately discovered the Santa Fe’s 2.2-liter engine truly is something to respect when my co-driver and I exited the Intercontinental Hotel in the heart of Adelaide CBD. Driving the Sorento with the identical engine just a week before, it was fascinating to observe that the Kia’s power delivery was somewhat smoother, particularly with regard to minimizing torque steer.

    All-around handling and riding comfort were precisely what was expected: predictable and fun. There was never any quick jolt through the cabin or any “ouch” events, despite some severe potholes and over thirty miles on dirt roads. Notably improved is also the turning circle.

    Drive around twisting narrow mountain roads; the Santa Fe runs well; corner to corner it will grip and accelerate forcefully when required. At times, there is slight torque steer over the front wheels, but this is rapidly self-corrected as power moves to the back.

    Buyer’s Dilemma: Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe?

    Right now, the toughest question I have to respond to is “Should I buy the Kia or the Hyundai?” Frankly, it’s a difficult subject to address. Hyundai boasts a considerably more established brand; hence, its diligent efforts will definitely result in more sales to its side of the Korean camp.

    It boils down to personal preference; I can only advise a test drive of each. Regarding the other direct rival, the Holden Captiva, albeit less expensive, it cannot keep up with other Korean vehicles now.

    Real-World Fuel Economy

    Later, after 180 km of driving, our average fuel efficiency was 10.4 L/100 km, not precisely the 7.5 L/100 km we were aiming for, and nowhere near the 5.1 L/100 km attained in the Global Green Challenge. Fairness dictated that fuel economy was low on the agenda as we passed over mountainous gravel roads.

    Conclusion: A Fierce Competitor in Its Class

    All things considered, the revised Santa Fe is a must-have item on the consideration list and a really fierce rival in its class. Watch this space, as CarAdvice will shortly spend a week with the vehicle, delivering a thorough driving test.

    Here’s a comparison table for the New Santa Fe trim levels (SLX, Elite, Highlander):

    FeatureSLXEliteHighlander
    R-series engine✅
    ESP Stability Control + TCS✅
    Front, side and curtain airbags✅
    Active front headrests✅
    Back warning sensors✅
    6-speed transmissions✅
    Cruise control✅✅✅
    Electric heated outside mirrors✅
    iPod® and USB connectivity✅
    Steering wheel audio controls✅
    Rear map lamps✅
    Rear spoiler✅
    17″ alloy wheels✅
    Front foglamps✅
    Tweeter speakers✅
    Toolbox✅
    Rear parking camera✅
    Conversation mirror✅
    Leather seats✅
    Front passenger power seat✅
    Driver’s power seat✅
    In-dash 6 stacker CD / MP3✅
    3rd row air con & heating✅
    Supervision cluster✅
    Rain sensing wipers✅
    Sunroof✅
    Push button smart key✅
    Electro-chromatic mirror✅
    Leather steering wheel & TGS✅
    Full auto climate control✅
    Deluxe door scuffs✅
    Chrome door handles✅
    Roof rails✅
    18″ alloy wheels✅

    Notes:

    • ✅ indicates features that are included in that trim level.
    • Features are cumulative; each trim adds more features over the previous one.