The body is made in the form of a 5-door SUV, the engine is located in front with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. In terms of size, since 2007 the Santa Fe sits in between a slightly smaller crossover Tucson and a large luxury crossover Veracruz (which replaced the Terracan). Competitors from other manufacturers Chevrolet Captiva, Honda CR-V, Infiniti QX30, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Venza, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, Skoda Kodiaq, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Volkswagen Teramont. In total, more than 1.5 million vehicles have been sold in the United States for the entire period and as of the beginning of 2018.
First generation (SM, 2001—2006)
The code name for the first generation was assigned «SM». Gathered on the Hyundai-Kia Y4 platform, which is also based on Sonata. Assembly shops were located in South Korea, Russia and the Philippines. There were three trim levels - GL, GLS and LX. Vehicle safety has been tested by Euro NCAP, see table for test results of 2002 model.
Since this is the first car of this class from Hyundai, the first generation has undergone annual improvements throughout the entire time. Added: a light in the glove box, telescopic gas hood supports, a three-point seat belt in the center of the rear seat and the radio antenna was moved. There were also changes in the design of bumpers, headlights, grille, instrument clusters, sun visors, etc. The fuel tank has been increased from 64 to 71 liters (from 17 to 19 gallons).
From the beginning of sales, only two 2.4-liter gasoline engines were available (I4, 146 HP) and 2.7 liters (Delta V6, 173 HP), as well as one 2.0 liter diesel engine (D4 I4, 112 HP). In 2003, a 3.5-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of 203 hp appeared. In 2006, a 2.7-liter engine was updated, and a 2.2-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 150 hp also appeared. Gearboxes were offered 4 and 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual.
Second generation (CM, 2007—2012)
In 2006 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the next generation of the Santa Fe SUV was introduced as a 2007 model. Production began in April 2006. Assembly shops were located in Egypt, Malaysia, the USA and South Korea. The exterior design of the car has changed a lot and has become more modern. The interior has also been heavily upgraded with blue backlighting for the controls and dashboard (instead of green). It was produced in three trim levels with the names GLS, SE and Limited.
During the life of this generation, the car has undergone improvements. They began to install the LG navigation system, Infinity sound, some models had a glass roof, as well as other minor changes. In 2010, the exterior and interior design was restyled, which was developed in Germany. The changes affected the grille, lights, wheels, as well as fonts and dashboard lighting. Engines and transmission have also been updated. The car received a minor facelift in 2012.
Over the six-year period of production of this generation, a lot of various gasoline engines of the following volumes and characteristics were installed on the car - 1.5 liters (4G15 I4,), 1.5 liters (15S4G I4,), 2.0 liters (4G94 I4,), 2.4 liters (Theta II I4, 174 hp), 2.7 liters (Mu V6, 185 HP), 3.3 liters (Lambda V6, 242 HP) and 3.5 liters (Lambda II V6, 276 HP). Diesel engines were four models - 2.0 liters (OED483Q I4, turbocharged,), 2.2 liters (CRDI VGT I4, 150 HP), 2.2 liters (CRDI VGT I4, 155 hp) and 2.2 liters (CRDI VGT R-Line I4, 200 hp). There is also a wide variety of transmissions - two mechanical 5 and 6 speeds or three automatic 4, 5 and 6 speeds.
Vehicle safety has been tested by Euro NCAP, ANCAP and NHTSA. See the results and scores in the following tables.
Third generation (DM, 2013—2018)
April 4, 2012 a generation with a name «DM» was shown at the New York Auto Show and went on sale in June 2012 as a 2013 model. The car has two wheelbase options - a short five-seater (Santa Fe Sport) and an elongated seven-seater with three rows of seats (Grand Santa Fe), called Sante Fe XL in some markets. The latter is available in two different trim levels - SE and Limited. The assembly of cars was carried out in Algeria, Egypt, China, Malaysia, Russia, the USA and South Korea.
The range of gasoline engines is the following models - 2.4 liters (Theta II MPI I4, 174 l. With), 2.4 liters (Theta II GDi I4, 190 hp), 3.3 liters (MPI V6, 267 hp), 3.3 liters (Lambda II GDi V6, 290 hp) and 2.0 liters (Turbo I4, 264 hp with.). Two 2.0 liter diesel engines were also available (CRDI VGT R-Line I4, 183 hp) and 2.2 liters (CRDI VGT R-Line I4, 200 hp). The car was equipped with two types of gearboxes - automatic or manual, both 6-speed.
During the Super Bowl XLVII sporting event in the United States, three television commercials for the Santa Fe were shown. For the 2017 model year, a facelift was carried out, which changed the headlights and taillights. The car passed the Euro NCAP test in 2012, the results of which you can see in the table below.
Fourth generation (TM, 2018—present)
Fourth generation named «TM» was shown in South Korea on February 21, 2018 and was shown at the 88th Geneva Motor Show in March. The car is equipped with a highway driving assistance system.
There were two models of gasoline engines at the time the car was released - 2.4 liters (Theta II GDi I4, 185 hp) and 2.0 liters (Turbo I4, 232 hp with.). Diesel engine one volume of 2.2 liters (CRDI VGT R-Line, I4) 200 hp The transmission is only 8-speed automatic.