2019 Hyundai Santa Fe now has a seven-seat version with a diesel engine

MANILA: Is the Santa Fe too small for your needs? Now there is a newer and bigger version. The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe was recently launched at Hyundai’s Motorstudio Goyang in Seoul, South Korea for the global market. The end of the fiscal year is also going to see the launch of the new generation of Honda CR-V, hence Hyundai should be launching it in local markets pretty soon.  

Apart from the usual improvements in making the car more family-friendly, the biggest announcement came in the form of the new seven-seat model. Named the Santa Fe XL, this is the only version that will be carrying the diesel engine under the bonnet. The five-seater version also loses the Sport moniker and will be known as just the Santa Fe from now on. Hyundai also said that they are developing an 8 seater version.

There are three, four-cylinder engine options to choose from, all mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Apart from the 2.2-litre CRDi turbo diesel reserved for the XL, there are the 2.4-litre GDI and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines. The HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) comes equipped with three different driver modes: Normal, Sport and Smart.

With slightly larger dimensions of 4750 mm (L), 1879 mm (W) and a wheelbase of 2766 mm, the SUV carries its bold styling well. The styling has become more mature while maintaining its muscular proportions. The upswept rear windows are now more conventional. There are also new alloys nestled in those muscular wheel arches. In the front, the headlights have become narrower, and gel perfectly with the chrome lip. The fog lights along with the massive grille together with the composite LED DRLs, make for a handsome fascia. It almost seems inspired by the old Porsche Cayenne.

The interior is now more focused on visibility and giving a roomier feel. The center console is now a three-part instrument cluster. The main attraction here is the new touchscreen infotainment system flanked by buttons and dials on either side. Android Auto and Apple Car Play are standard on all models. Soft-touch materials and leather are used generously on the armrests and the upholstery. The highest trim level also gets the 5.0 version of Hyundai’s AVN navigation system. There is even a Heads-Up Display unit projecting an 8.5-inch image on the windscreen.

The car is also loaded with the latest in safety tech that has now become essential for an SUV of this size. Forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision warning, safe exit assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, rear view monitor with parking guidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist and much more should keep the driver and the passengers safe.

The Santa Fe was always a very capable SUV. The new improvements make its case even stronger.