The new Hyundai Santa Fe will be roaming local roads soon, and HNZ is launching its latest large SUV with special introductory pricing.
The three variant line-up kicks off with the Active which has an RRP of $84,990. But wait, Hyundai is giving you a $10k discount without you having to ask.
While the full RRP is a steep increase on the previous $69,990 start point, Hyundai says it represents ‘incredible value compared with the old model’. And at the discounted price, things aren’t so bad.
Helping justify the price rise, the new Santa Fe is all new and packed with more features. For instance HNZ says the new entry point now has bigger wheels, heated seats, wireless charging, a better media system, more safety tech, powered seats, privacy glass and a powered tailgate.
Click here to get the full Santa Fe spec
The next variant is the Limited, with yet more standard features, and priced at $96,990, And this too has a $10k discount. The top Calligraphy is $104,990, and you guessed it, it’s also $10k cheaper.
The introductory offer is valid until further notice, Hyundai NZ not giving us a time frame on when the sale period ends.
The new seven-seat SUV is a big deal for HNZ, a model that ‘the brand is built on here in New Zealand’, it being its most recognisable nameplate. On sale here since 2002, more than 26,000 have been sold.
The big news is that the new model is without diesel power, the only powertrain being offered at present is a petrol hybrid.
That’s a step change for Santa Fe, but Hyundai NZ says there’s a global move away from diesel, especially in Europe. And so there is no diesel variant available at all. There might be a 2.5 petrol turbo (non hybrid) offered at some point however.
HNZ said it’ll be ‘an education piece to get people behind the wheel of the hybrid’ to experience first hand the refinement and drivability.
HNZ introduced hybrid tech (both parallel and PHEV versions) in the previous generation, but it only accounted for 20 per cent of sales. There is a plug-in hybrid version of this new fifth generation (dubbed MX5) but that’s for Europe only at this stage.
The hybrid outputs a combined 172kW/367Nm from its 1.6T and motor, returning an average of 6.2L/100km WLTP. That’s about the same as the previous diesel’s 6.1L/100km (but with far fewer of the harmful NOx emissions). The hybrid runs a six-speed auto, has a 0-100kmh time of 9.5sec and can tow up to 1650kg. That might be a sticking point for some, the old diesel model good for up to 2500kg.
Since 2018, there has been a big trend toward SUVs here in NZ, sales of the vehicle type up 37 per cent and they now account for 82 per cent of the passenger car market. The large SUV segment, where the Santa Fe sits, accounts for almost 10 per cent of the market. Another more recent trend is the rise of the hybrid powertrain, an area showing the healthiest growth. So, the hybrid powertrain is coming along at the right time for Santa Fe says HNZ, commenting that there are no road user charges to pay but you also get the benefit of good economy and performance.
Look for a full road test of the new model in the August issue of NZ Autocar.
