History and description of the Hyundai Santa Fe car

Santa Fe — South Korean mid-size crossover SUV, which is produced by Hyundai from 2001 to the present. It was named after the city of Santa Fe in the state of New Mexico, USA. It is the first SUV of the Hyundai automaker, and was released at the same time as the Ford Escape and Pontiac Aztek. Buyers appreciated the car and it became very popular, sometimes the factories could not keep up with the growing demand for it.

The body is designed as a 5-door SUV, the engine is located in the front with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. In terms of size, since 2007, the Santa Fe has been between a slightly smaller crossover Tucson and the large luxury crossover Veracruz (which replaced the Terracan). Competitors from other manufacturers are 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 cars were sold in the US for the entire period and as of the beginning of 2018.

First generation (SM, 2001—2006)

The first generation was codenamed "SM". It was assembled on the Hyundai-Kia Y4 platform, which is also the basis of Sonata. Assembly shops were located in South Korea, Russia and the Philippines. There were three trim levels - GL, GLS and LX. The car's safety was tested by Euro NCAP, see the test results of the 2002 model in the table.

Since this is the first car of this class, Hyundai has been subject to annual improvements throughout its entire life. The following were added: lighting in the glove box, telescopic gas struts for the hood, 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 the bumpers, headlights, radiator grille, instrument cluster, sun visors, etc. The fuel tank was increased from 64 to 71 liters (from 17 to 19 gallons).

From the start of sales, only two petrol engines were available: 2.4 liters (I4, 146 hp) and 2.7 liters (Delta V6, 173 hp), as well as one diesel engine with a volume of 2.0 liters (D4 I4, 112 hp). In 2003, a petrol V-shaped 6-cylinder engine with a volume of 3.5 liters and a capacity of 203 hp appeared. In 2006, the 2.7-liter engine was updated, and a diesel engine with a volume of 2.2 liters and a capacity of 150 hp 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 presented as a 2007 model. Production began in April 2006. Assembly shops were located in Egypt, Malaysia, the United States and South Korea. The exterior design of the car has changed significantly and has become more modern. The interior has also been significantly modernized, with blue backlighting of controls and the instrument panel (instead of green). It was produced in three trim levels called GLS, SE and Limited.

During the life of this generation, the car was improved. They began to install the LG navigation system, Infinity sound, some models had a glass roof, and other minor changes. In 2010, the exterior and interior design, which was developed in Germany, was restyled. Changes affected the radiator grille, lights, wheels, as well as fonts and instrument panel lighting. The engines and transmission were also updated. In 2012, the car underwent a minor facelift.

Over the six-year period of production of this generation, the car was equipped with many different gasoline engines of the following volumes and characteristics - 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). There were four models of diesel engines - 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-speed or three automatic 4-, 5- and 6-speed.

The car's safety has been tested by Euro NCAP, ANCAP and NHTSA. The results and ratings are shown in the following tables.

Third generation (DM, 2013—2018)

On April 4, 2012, the generation named "DM" was shown at the New York Auto Show, and in June 2012 went on sale as a 2013 model. The car has two wheelbase options - a short five-seater (Santa Fe Sport) and an extended 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 cars were assembled in Algeria, Egypt, China, Malaysia, Russia, the United States and South Korea.

The petrol engine range includes the following models: 2.4 litres (Theta II MPI I4, 174 hp), 2.4 litres (Theta II GDi I4, 190 hp), 3.3 litres (Lambda II MPI V6, 267 hp), 3.3 litres (Lambda II GDi V6, 290 hp) and 2.0 litres (Theta II Turbo I4, 264 hp). Two diesel engines were also available: 2.0 litres (CRDI VGT R-Line I4, 183 hp) and 2.2 litres (CRDI VGT R-Line I4, 200 hp). The car was equipped with two types of gearboxes: automatic or manual, both 6-speed.

Three TV commercials for the Santa Fe were shown during the Super Bowl XLVII in the United States. The 2017 model received a facelift, 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)

The fourth generation, named "TM", was unveiled 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.

At the time of the car's release, there were two models of petrol engines - 2.4 liters (Theta II GDi I4, 185 hp) and 2.0 liters (Theta II Turbo I4, 232 hp). There is one diesel engine with a volume of 2.2 liters (CRDI VGT R-Line, I4) 200 hp. The transmission is only 8-speed automatic.

Hyundai Santa Fe IV, back view

Hyundai Santa Fe IV, side view

Hyundai Santa Fe IV, driver's seat