The all new third generation Hyundai Santa Fe is set to take on the SUV market in three versions. There is a five-passenger model, that similar to the outgoing model, and an all new longer wheelbase model with third row seats.
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| Hyundai Santa FE Sport |
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (5-seater version) rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, with an overall length of 184.6 inches, height of 66.1 inches and width of 74.0 inches. The larger Santa Fe (7-seater or LWB version) rides on a 110.2-inch wheelbase, which is 3.9 inches longer than the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport’s wheelbase.
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| Hyundai Santa Fe Long Wheel Base |
Its exterior design follows Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture characteristic that is visible in all Hyundai models. It design features a three-bar hexagonal front grille, LED headlight accents, low stance, rising beltline, roof spoiler and wraparound taillights.
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| Rear of the LWB Santa FE |
The grill and door handles are finished in chrome while the side mirror are painted in the same colour as the body. The Santa Fe Sport 2.0T comes with 19-inch wheels and a twin-tip chrome exhaust.
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| LWB side design with unique detailing |
The longer Santa Fe features a shape that highlights the increased passenger and cargo room behind the second row seat. It also has its own bodyside character lines from the B-pillar back, grille design, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tips and a flush-mounted tow hitch design. On the roof is a large panoramic sunroof which allows more natural light into the cabin. It is fitted to all 2.4 litre models and comes standard on the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T.
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| Side mirrors in painted in matching body colours |
The five seater Santa Fe version comes with a choice of two engines. There is a 2.4litre Gasoline Direct Engine (GDI) engine and a turbocharged 2.0-liter GDI engine. The 2.4 GDI engine has an output of 190hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
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| 2.0 litre GDI turbocharged engine |
The 2.0 litre GDI engine is turbocharged to produce 264hp. The large Santa Fe gets a 3.3litre GDI V6 engine with an output of 294hp. Married to the engines is a six speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control. The transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide ratio spread that suits the engine’s characteristics.
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| Hyundai Santa Fe Sports 2.0T |
All models are fitted with an Active ECO System that modifies engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response and increase fuel economy. The suspension consists of a compact and light MacPherson strut front suspension and a fully independent in-wheel multi-link rear suspension.
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| Rear exhaust pipes |
An optional Active Cornering Control All-Wheel-Drive (ACC AWD) system that cooperatively controls engine torque and braking in conjunction with the Vehicle Stability Management System is available.
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| Side of the Santa Fe Sport |
It’s also fitted with Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) to maximize control on steep hills. HAC minimizes rolling backwards on steep ascents while DBC helps the driver maintain vehicle control and speed on steep downhill descents. A Driver Selectable Steering Mode (DSSM) is also available.
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| Door slits |
This comes with three operating modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport. The system allows drivers to adapt the Santa Fe’s steering characteristics to varying driving preferences and road conditions. . Comfort mode is ideal for city and parking environments, Normal mode is ideal for a mix of driving conditions and Sport Mode is optimized for higher-speed freeways or winding roads.
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| Rear of the Santa Fe Sport |
The five-seater Hyundai Santa Fe Sport rides on 17-inch wheels while the larger seven-seater Santa Fe sits on 18 inch or optional 19 inch wheels. It also has a powerful braking package.
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| Stylish front cockpit |
The package includes four-wheel disc brakes (12.6 inch front and 11.9 inch rear), an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist providing maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on vehicle loading conditions.
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| Headlamps with LED accents |
Inside the LWB Santa Fe comes with standard with three-row seating or optional second row captain’s chairs. Dual-zone climate controls ensure a comfortable environment for all occupants during long journeys.
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| Side of the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T |
The dual-zone climate controls also incorporate an automatic defogging system, which detects humidity levels using a sensor and removes it from the windshield. Another premium feature is a CleanAir Ionizer that automatically cleans the air when the heater or air conditioner is running.
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| Rear lights |
There is also an overhead console sunglass holder, two front and two rear seat cupholders, door bottle holders, cooled glovebox, enlarged central storage console, front storage bin, front seat- back pockets and an innovative cargo under tray and floor board storage. The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport also features sliding and reclining second row seats.
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| Rear of the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T |
It has seven airbags, including driver’s knee airbag and side curtain airbags with rollover sensors. When the sensors detect a potential rollover, the control module triggers the head-curtain side airbags and safety belt pre-tensioners to help protect passengers against serious injury. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for children’s seats is also fitted while all seats feature three-point seatbelts for all positions.
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| Inside the Santa FE LWB |
All models come with a standard AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six-speakers and iPod®/USB/auxiliary input jacks and wireless audio streaming. One can upgrade the standard radio to feature a 4.3-inch full color LCD touchscreen with HD Radio technology and rear view camera.
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| Interior of the 5 seater Santa Fe |
The top of the range audio system comes with a Gen 3.0 Navigation unit and rearview camera. The system is paired to a Dimension 10-speaker premium audio system or the Infinity 550-watt, Logic 7 audio system with 12 speakers, including an eight-inch subwoofer. A Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, address book download and audio streaming is also standard.
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| Large panoramic sunroof |
Prices for the Santa Fe Sport start at $24,450 (Kshs. 2 million excl. taxes). The Santa Fe Sport 2.0T price starts at around $27,700 (Kshs. 2.4 million excl. taxes). The LWB Santa Fe is expected to be priced around $30,000 (Kshs. 2.6 million excl. taxes). It might land on Kenyan shores as from next year.