Santa Fe gets serious

Newswheel staff :: 23 November 2005 :: Filed under Four wheel drive, SUV, Hyundai, Hyundai Santa Fe, Europe & UK, US

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New Hyundai SUV looks like a proper player

Hyundai has released the first official pictures of its new mid-sized SUV, the Santa Fe. While few technical details have been divulged, it’s believed the new Santa Fe is larger and more luxurious than the existing model, thereby creating more space between it and the Tuscon, launched early last year.

The range-topping Santa Fe is expect to pack the 3.8-litre  263bhp V6 as seen in Hyundai’s new flagship luxury saloon, the Azera. All-wheel drive and a third row of seats for a grand total of seven berths will also be offered. Overall, the Santa Fe is a pretty good looker and certainly the most convincing effort from Hyundai to date. More importantly, it probably signals the arrival of the Korean outfit as a major player. It should be the first Hyudai fully able to compete on pure ability and desirability, and not just price. No word on UK sales and pricing as yet.

For the Japanese and European estabilishment, the new Santa Fe is one scary-looking motor vehicle.