|
Hyundai Cars
|
|
Sunday, 26 October 2008 05:09 |
ONCE upon a time, there was only one reason for getting the Santa Fe SUV, it was cheap.
Introduced in 2001, it was Hyundai Motor’s first SUV and was more affordable than similar vehicles in the same size category. It was a hit with consumers in the United States. So, cheap worked.
Riding on this success, Hyundai upped the ante with the second-generation Santa Fe, which has been re-badged in Malaysia as the Inokom Santa Fe and is offered with a choice of 2.2l CRDI VGT diesel or 2.7l V6 DOHC petrol engine.
My hubby Anthony and I did not let the chance slip when given the opportunity to test-drive the diesel version,
And, as usual, we conscripted in our car-mad friend Chew Boon Loong, who devours every car (and bike) magazine in sight.
At first sight, the Santa Fe is immediately pleasing to the eye with its graceful curves, well-contoured bumpers and stylish light clusters front and back.
In fact, if I were to give in to whimsy, I would say it’s elegantly feminine with all the curves in the right places.
The Santa Fe is pleasing to the eye with its graceful curves, well-contoured
bumpers and stylish light clusters front and back.
Inside it has three rows of seats, making it ideal for a mid-size family of mum, dad, three kids and the maid, and maybe even the family dog.
When not in use, the third row seats can be folded flat for enhanced cargo space.
It boasts a range of active and passive safety features like Electronic Stability Programme, and airbags extending to the third row seats.
A nice touch is the so-called drop-down conversation mirror that would be really handy for monitoring the kids in the back.
Blue backlighting on the instrument gauges sets off a soothing ambience, adding a touch of sophistication to the well-laid out interior.
Anthony’s first impression was one of space and grace. The dashboard and instrument panels were well laid out and the feeling of comfort and openness hit him immediately.
Taking it out on a nice Sunday morning on the NKVE, with the song Beautiful Sunday playing over and over in my mind, I had such a smooth run that I did not realise I was beyond the speed limit.
Despite the diesel engine, the car was so quiet and efficiently gobbled up the miles with the lightest pressure on the accelerator.
The third row seats can be folded flat for enhanced cargo space.
As I veered to the Subang Jaya exit, I caught a glimpse of a traffic policeman on a motorcycle behind me. Wow! Did I breath a sigh of relief that I had slowed down by then, and was doubly relieved when I saw a convoy of his colleagues behind him.
Ensconced in the driver’s seat with everything adjusted just right, I felt like I was driving a saloon.
Getting in and out was a breeze, and that’s what would score with ladies heading for the office or a night out, parents tucking in fractious children, or for shoppers loading in the day’s purchases.
When I had my half-pint of a niece (she’s all of 151cm) try it out for a short drive, she had no trouble reaching the controls and it took only a few minutes for her to get accustomed to the size of the vehicle.
We were all deceived by the hand, err ... foot brake. But it is easy once you get used to it and stop reaching out with your hand.
As a 4WD enthusiast, Chew felt it was his duty to thoroughly test the vehicle’s capabilities. He was all thumbs-up, saying this was the SUV that would make the reputation of Korean SUVs.
While admitting that it was not a workhorse like the many 4X4 pickups running around, he said it would not disappoint on fuel economy, practicability and driveability.
Local Hyundai and Inokom vehicle distributors Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd quotes an urban cycle fuel consumption of 11l per 100km for the diesel Santa Fe, while the figures for extra urban and urban/extra urban combined drives are 6.4l/100km and 8.1l/100km respectively.
Truth be told, I prefer compact cars but if I were eyeing an SUV in this range, the Santa Fe would be on top of the list. I loved the storage nooks and cubby holes. How about an automatic door-locking system for peace of mind?
Anthony thought he was driving a sports car! The Santa Fe is so powerful and agile that it is easy to forget it is powered by a 2.2l diesel engine.
Chew was taken by the fuel economy, solidity, style and grace, space for seven people, (or, with the flat bed rear seats down, five people and half of a van of storage space).
In short, it was the perfect family utility vehicle for him.
The Santa Fe 2.2l diesel is priced at RM160,358.50 (on the road, without insurance) while the 2.7l V6 petrol is RM158,827.60.
© 2008 thestar.com. All Rights Reserved.
|
Share this page.
|
|
0 Comments