Seven seater comparison review: Hyundai Santa Fe 30

First published in the October 2016 issue of Wheels magazine, Australia’s best car mag since 1953.

The Hyundai Santa Fe better at pleasing its driver, rather than shifting a tribe of seven

Can’t wait to see the final score? Jump to the verdict now.

IF THERE’S one vehicle that clearly stands out as a driver’s express among this motley crew, it’s Hyundai’s Santa Fe.

Tuned in Australia to deliver precise handling and some enthusiast appeal, this limited-edition ‘30’ (see sidebar) introduces Hyundai’s punchy 3.3-litre petrol V6 to the Series II Santa Fe line-up for best-in-class acceleration to back up its sporting claims.

On its lonesome, the sharp-looking Hyundai has enough sex appeal to reel in surfing and adventure types looking for an SUV not hindered by any ‘old codger’ stigma. Handsome, masculine Mineral Blue paint and charcoal 19s are supported by hot-hatch-rivalling 7.6sec 0-100km/h ability and a chassis that’s quite chuckable and decently grippy, negating any concerns that the front-drive Santa Fe might struggle for traction (on bitumen, at least).

The other downside is Santa Fe’s ride. Regardless of the surface, its suspension is constantly busy, jostling away underneath like a massage function, though it recovers beautifully from the big hits that country Australia can still deliver, and it’s reasonably quiet. Yet despite leather facings in this tricked-out variant, Santa Fe’s front seats rate only average for comfort, beaten by the middle row for under-thigh support (if not lumbar support), and trounced by the Kia pews for generosity of padding.

The rest of the Santa Fe’s interior is quite liveable. Nothing class-leading, mind, but a distinctive (if plasticky) dash design with functional controls and neatly symmetrical his-and-hers switch blanks. It lacks the colour and design flair of the better cabins here, but even when drenched in sombre charcoal tones, the Santa Fe feels far more cheerful and upmarket than the Captiva or Pathfinder.

But as an appealing, double-income-no-kids SUV, where fur babies and Ikea visits might take preference, the Santa Fe 30 is bloody good value and a good drive to boot.

Dirty thirties

To celebrate three decades since Alan Bond invited us to say “Hi to Hi-un-die”, Hyundai has launched two Special Edition ’30’ models – an all-wheel-drive Tucson 30 with a 1.6-litre turbo donk for $37,750 and this front-drive V6 Santa Fe 30 for a razor-sharp $40,790. Among its inclusions are unique paint, 19-inch wheels, heated mirrors, chrome door handles, tyre-pressure monitors, leather-appointed seats, dual-zone climate control and a chilled glovebox, adding to an already extensive list of standard Santa Fe kit.

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