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Santa Fe Gallery
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| COMFORT AND EQUIPMENT RATING: |
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This Santa Fe is 50mm taller than its predecessor (1795mm, including the roof rails), 45mm wider (1890mm) and 150mm longer (4650mm), which gives it similar dimensions to the Touareg, X5, XC90 and so on. Legroom has been increased all round and is good for rear-seat occupants. The high-roofed cabin feels light and airy, especially with the sun-blind pulled back to reveal the glass-panelled sunroof (optional). There aren't as many storage/stowage boxes, cubby holes or pockets in which to stash stuff as in some rivals, but there are plenty of compartments for toting most of the family's toys and treasures.
The boot is large, too, and reasonably deep, as the 4WD system does not intrude into loadspace. This creates room for the seven-seat option: it's going to be tight in there for taller adults, but most people would fit in there for a short journey - though there's very little legroom, there's enough of a gap under the seats in front to slide your feet, which makes it more viable. The middle seats flip forward (in two sections) for access. This isn't a full seven-seater in the same way as, say, the long-wheelbase Mercedes R-Class, but it's good enough to fit a couple of extra people, preferably kids, in occasionally, and at just £600, it's a useful option well worth having.
Ride comfort has been much-improved over that of the outgoing model, with the suspension smoothing out most lumps, bumps and surface imperfections. It can wallow a bit on fast corners but, by and large, it gives a smooth, quiet ride. Seven-seat versions have self-levelling suspension, though you'd have to drive it very hard to notice much of a difference. Noise levels are generally well-contained, with little tyre or road noise and though the 2.7 V6 can get a bit rough when revved, the engines intrude very little. There's considerable wind noise at speed, though, probably from around the roof rails and their crossbar.
Equipment levels are generous, though the GSI (diesel engine only) lacks stability control, a very important safety feature. Otherwise, it has 17" alloy wheels, front fog lights, electrically-adjustable door mirrors, remote central locking, alarm, air conditioning, CD player, electric windows and front, side and roof-curtain airbags.
CDX models add dual-zone climate control, with an extra set of controls for the rearmost passengers in seven-seat versions, heated front seats, a full leather interior, windscreen de-icer, an upgraded sound system with six-CD autochanger and steering wheel-mounted controls, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 18" alloys, a rear spoiler - and active head restraints and ESP stability control. The leather trim is good quality and tasteful, with perforated panels and, in some colour-schemes, contrast-colour piping.
CDX+ models, at the top of the range have a further-upgraded audio system with PlayStation/Xbox-compatible DVD player, rear roof-mounted screen, in-dash autochanger, satellite navigation, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, a centre console-mounted coolbox and an electrically-adjustable passenger seat.
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