Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi 4WD in the test

M it is 4.77 meters long the new Santa Fe is quite a chunk. An impression that the design reinforces by the powerful radiator grille and narrow LED daytime running lights that sit above the headlights.

We already know that from the brand's smaller SUVs, but it works with the Santa Fe More coherent.

The same applies to the interior: In the premium version tested here, it is not only extremely richly equipped, but apart from a few plastic parts that have smuggled between the leather elements, it is also furnished to a high quality.

The trunk is also not dainty with a volume of 547 to a maximum of 1,625 liters. Two seats are optionally hidden in the loading floor (for an extra 1,400 euros), but only people up to 1.50 meters tall can travel comfortably. A row further forward, the backrest, which can be divided in a ratio of 60:40, ensures elevated seating comfort, as it can be tilted into the reclining position, the entire bench can also be moved and the front passenger seat can be electrically moved back and forth from the driver's side. Thanks to the head-up display and fully digital tachometer on-board computer unit, which keeps all driving information ready, the driver always has an overview. The standard infotainment can also be operated intuitively, but could react more quickly and have a higher resolution of navigation maps. In addition, there is no real-time traffic data and voice control that works without a paired cell phone.

Powerful diesel, convenient automatic

Achim Hartmann

The Santa Fe is comfortable, curves hardly make it sway.

Let's see what the Santa Fe can do on and off the road. On Clickthe 2.2 liter CRDi, which already meets the Euro 6d Temp standard, wakes up. Nevertheless, it is a diesel engine from the old turbo blow, with everything that goes with it - from the turbo lag to the flattening thrust at the top. Thanks to 200 hp and 440 Newton meters of torque, however, the diesel only seems acoustically strained, accelerates quickly to 100 km /h in 9.6 seconds and comes to a standstill after 36 meters when braking from this speed.

Traction is variable thanks to the All-wheel drive is always available, and the 4x4 can also be permanently engaged for off-road use. With it, the Santa Fe wades up to 50 centimeters deep water. But the Hyundai also feels at home on the road: the newly developed automatic shifts its eight gears almost smoothly. The driving behavior can be sharpened by driving modes, but these mainly affect the cockpit animation, steering and throttle response, but not the chassis.

In the test, the almost two-ton SUV approved a passable 8 , 7 liters per 100 kilometers. That doesn't sound bad, but the price of 53,600 euros is by no means a stick.