Hyundai Santa Fe (Gen. 2) Thread

[O!lman]

Nasa Phil Star motoring section ang Santa Fe...
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/BUS...0703244004.htm

[Piraeus]

Thanks for the link, Centum. Naks, ang ganda ng review ng Phil. Star sa Santa Fe, ah! Very nice!

[number001]

Nasa Phil Star motoring section ang Santa Fe...
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/BUS...0703244004.htm

Posting it here for everybody's benefit, 'cause the Star does not archive their articles.

Benchmarking the Korean car biz with the Hyundai Santa Fe
By Manny N. De Los Reyes
The Philippine STAR 03/21/2007

If you want to know how far the Korean car industry has come, look no further than the Hyundai Santa Fe. First of all, its distinctive looks are far from the bland and derivative styling of previous efforts. Just about every Korean carmaker is coming up with more and more original and inspired designs, and the Santa Fe is easily one of them.

Of course, with so many car companies churning out hundreds of different models, it’s not uncommon to have two different cars sharing similar design characteristics. The Santa Fe is no exception. I applaud the bold front end, whose large blacked-out grille extends below bumper level quite like the current Audis. (You see this design touch on the latest Starexes too.) The quad projector lamps won’t look out of place in an Audi or BMW.

Over at the rear, the cutlines of the tailgate and the taillamp clusters are reminiscent of the upscale VW Touareg’s, which shares its platform with none other than the Porsche Cayenne. I wouldn’t mind my SUV being mistaken for any of these aforementioned cars.

It’s the side view that shows the most Hyundai styling heritage. The Santa Fe’s Coke bottle curves on the front and rear fenders have been on Hyundais since the 97-era Coupe and Elantra, but rendered in 21st century sheetmetal by combining them with a beltline that rises towards the D-pillar, giving the Santa Fe a much more dynamic look compared to one with a simple horizontal beltline. Overall, it’s a successful design effort, bolder yet more mature than that of Hyundai’s own Tucson SUV, right down to the mean-looking twin oval tailpipes on either end of the rear bumper.

Build quality is good too, with impressively small panel gaps and solid-closing doors. Inside, fit and finish are eons ahead of the Korean cars of 20 or even 10 years ago. The materials are more plush and better built. Even the color schemes are geared to international tastes, as compared to the odd purple or orange accents found in the otherwise drab gray upholstery of the Santa Fe’s forerunners.

The all-important NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) levels are low. You barely hear the engine idling (and this is a diesel!) and road noise, too, is impressively subdued.

On the road, ride quality is excellent. The Santa Fe just glides over bumps, potholes and even railroad crossings; this despite its conventional front strut/rear multilink suspension matched with 17-inch wheels and 235/65R-17 all-terrain Hankook tires. The body is as stiff as the best from Japan and Europe and in some ways, exhibits better body control and handling dynamics than American SUVs. Steering and braking performance are topnotch.

Power-wise, I can’t rave enough about the seemingly small 2.2-liter common-rail direct-injected (CRDi) turbodiesel engine. Thanks to CRDi technology, it belts out an adequate 150 ps at a low 4000 rpm and a stunning 34.2 kg-m of torque at an astoundingly low 1800 rpm. With this torque figure, you find yourself vaulting past other vehicles with a mere tap of the accelerator. Another strong point is the smoothness and willingness of the engine to rev to its 4500-rpm redline. You hear the engine increasing its revs but it’s sound rather than noise. Gasoline engines have been noisier than this. Flooring the throttle with the automatic (a manumatic 5-speed, natch!), you just get surprised that the gearbox upshifts at about 4000 rpm when you expect it to go all the way to a 6000-rpm shift, just like a gasoline engine. It’s that smooth and quiet.

The only downside is the conspicuous torque steer even when you’re just moderately aggressive with the accelerator. You feel the front wheels tugging left or right in reaction to the prodigious torque being channeled through them. Early-generation front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars of the 80s were particularly prone to this. But even modern FWD designs (the Santa Fe CRDi is FWD; the 2.7-liter V6 gasoline version is the 4x4 variant) can be overwhelmed by this amount of torque.

So what other noteworthy things does this P1,528,000 SUV offer? Sumptuous leather upholstery with maroon piping, for one. A 3rd, row seat that disappears into the floor to leave a large flat rear cargo area, for another. Swing the backseats up and you have additional space for two adults or even three medium-sized persons. The resulting legroom for the 3rd row passengers is somewhat better than those found in the Toyota Fortuner, thanks to the Santa Fe’s deeper footwell.

Other goodies are an airconditioned console box, a convex conversation mirror that let’s the driver see all other occupants, steering wheel audio control buttons, aircon vents for the 2nd and 3rd row seats, and the very Lexus-like cool blue illumination for the instruments and even the power window switches.

Oh, and did I mention that our test car sported a truly glorious paint finish that Hyundai calls "Superior Red" but is actually a rich dark shade of metallic brown with burgundy overtones? It looked good enough to eat!

[yuichi]

"So what other noteworthy things does this P1,528,000 SUV offer? Sumptuous leather upholstery with maroon piping, for one. A 3rd, row seat that disappears into the floor to leave a large flat rear cargo area, for another. Swing the backseats up and you have additional space for two adults or even three medium-sized persons. The resulting legroom for the 3rd row passengers is somewhat better than those found in the Toyota Fortuner, thanks to the Santa Fe’s deeper footwell."


what about this one? yesterday i was with an agent who drives a Fortuner 3.0D4D. we're both idle while chatting near a sidewalk. he noticed that Santa Fe is more quiet and was even surprised to hear its a Diesel.

[safala]

ser, yung may built-in signal lights meron din nyan, kakakita ko lang.heto sya sa isang Santa Fe na nakita ko. gusto mo nyan? i can give you a price tom. sakto, sat may shipment kami.

btw, the 3D mat is made of carpet and the bottom is soft rubber. i'll post more pics when i see the one for SF.

2 colors available, Beige and Dark Gray.

ser, may price ka na nang bumper kits, with and without the signal lights? ty

[O!lman]

Safala,
Check mo yung tire pressure mo...Kaya pala bouncy yung Santa Fe ko ay 50psi ang pressure. Nagreklamo ako sa Service Manager ng Hyundai Alabang dahil ang alam ko ay may checklist sila after accepting their cars from their bodega. May crack din yung hatch door plastic panel malapit sa hand hole access ng right side tail light nya, siguro daw dahil sa pagkakabit ng back-up sensor at hindi iningatan ng installer ng winterpine. Kinuhanan ng picture yung crack at possible na ipasok sa warranty dahil 1 week old pa lang santa fe ko. Galit na galit yung Manager ng Hyundai Alabang dahil sa mga lapses ng mga personnel nila. Madumi magtrabaho ang taga winterpine dahil daming retaso ng tint naiwan sa loob ng SF ko. Ang isa pang bad Trip ay walang Plate number holder sa rear. Binubutasan yung hatch door mismo. Hindi kagaya sa ibang sasakyan na may naka-abang nang plate number mounting holes with screw nuts.

[chuaa]

Safala,
Check mo yung tire pressure mo...Kaya pala bouncy yung Santa Fe ko ay 50psi ang pressure. Nagreklamo ako sa Service Manager ng Hyundai Alabang dahil ang alam ko ay may checklist sila after accepting their cars from their bodega. May crack din yung hatch door plastic panel malapit sa hand hole access ng right side tail light nya, siguro daw dahil sa pagkakabit ng back-up sensor at hindi iningatan ng installer ng winterpine. Kinuhanan ng picture yung crack at possible na ipasok sa warranty dahil 1 week old pa lang santa fe ko. Galit na galit yung Manager ng Hyundai Alabang dahil sa mga lapses ng mga personnel nila. Madumi magtrabaho ang taga winterpine dahil daming retaso ng tint naiwan sa loob ng SF ko. Ang isa pang bad Trip ay walang Plate number holder sa rear. Binubutasan yung hatch door mismo. Hindi kagaya sa ibang sasakyan na may naka-abang nang plate number mounting holes with screw nuts.

yup...ganyan talag pag labas ng casa...they dont check the tire pressure...ako rin...it was at around 50 when i got it..they really overinlfate it during shipment...para di raw ma deform yung wheels...

buti ma cover ng warranty yung crack..eh winterpine ang gumawa...normally pag ginawa outside of casa...di na nila sagot yon

on the plate number...yes...talagang babarenahan nila yon sa rear...ewan ko kung bakit..but they said that this is to make the vehicle flexible...kasi every country has different sizes of plate number...parang yung sa starex...diba the rear plate number is not alligned...yung butas does not fit the holes of the plate...

[O!lman]

yup...ganyan talag pag labas ng casa...they dont check the tire pressure...ako rin...it was at around 50 when i got it..they really overinlfate it during shipment...para di raw ma deform yung wheels...

buti ma cover ng warranty yung crack..eh winterpine ang gumawa...normally pag ginawa outside of casa...di na nila sagot yon

on the plate number...yes...talagang babarenahan nila yon sa rear...ewan ko kung bakit..but they said that this is to make the vehicle flexible...kasi every country has different sizes of plate number...parang yung sa starex...diba the rear plate number is not alligned...yung butas does not fit the holes of the plate...

Winterpine ang may ari ng Hyundai accessories' shop sa lahat yata ng Hyundai dealers. Sila ang installer ng tints,Rain gutters, and backup sensors. Sa loob mismo ng Hyundai casa ikinabit ang mga freebees kaya sagot nila yan.

[yuichi]

ser, may price ka na nang bumper kits, with and without the signal lights? ty

the one with signal lights = P 21K

without signal lights = P 18K


dito sa chin mas mabenta yung with signal lights

[kpy555]

Yahoo! We'll get our copy of the Santa Fe very soon! Can't wait to explore its capabilities as claimed by the owners here!

[OTEP]

Test drove one at the MIAS '07. CRDi rocks!

[mazdamazda]

Yahoo! We'll get our copy of the Santa Fe very soon! Can't wait to explore its capabilities as claimed by the owners here!

You might want to wait for the Veracruz.

240hp & 450Nm torque from Hyundai's new 3.0L VGT engine.

Seems that the Koreans are outpacing the Japs in terms of diesel technology application.

[swimstroke]

^ Any idea how much?

[OTEP]

Nakakahilo yung Php2.7m pricetag ng Veracruz. But between Murano and Veracruz, mas ok ang VC.

[yuichi]

You might want to wait for the Veracruz.

240hp & 450Nm torque from Hyundai's new 3.0L VGT engine.

Seems that the Koreans are outpacing the Japs in terms of diesel technology application.

Hyundai CRDI vs Toyota D4D and others?

[Horsepower]

kpy555: Congrats!

with the SantaFe, you can drive up to 200kph with 7 passengers and still feel safe (it's as if it's only running at 80).

pag ikaw lang mag-isa, you can probably hit 220kph++ especially if you chip the ECU.


With the Veracruz, now that's uncharted territory!

[chuaa]

the one with signal lights = P 21K

without signal lights = P 18K


dito sa chin mas mabenta yung with signal lights

the price is inclusive of shipping cost already right? how long will the delivery time take?

thanks

[kpy555]

Hi Guys!

Saw the Veracruz also... pero ang mahal and out of our budget!

We'll settle for the Santa Fe na muna! Hopefully after Holy Week malabas na! Still waiting for papers.

[chuaa]

the one with signal lights = P 21K

without signal lights = P 18K


dito sa chin mas mabenta yung with signal lights

btw....any price on the side mirror with the signal lights also...

thanks

[yuichi]

the price is inclusive of shipping cost already right? how long will the delivery time take?

thanks

yup kasama na shipping at delivery, but within metro manila. delivery? kung may available agad sa store nila dito shenzhen, 2-3wks lang, kung ala, 3-4wks since kukuha pa sila sa main.

side mirror na may signal light? ala pa ako nakikita sa Santa Fe. i'll check next week, baka meron na.