Hyundai Santa Fe 2006 test drive - 2009 SUV

Commercial interest

The wonderful start of the day: no more than 10 minutes passed after I got behind the wheel of the new Hyundai Santa Fe, and the traffic police officer, having poked in my direction with a striped wand, already presents a radar with a number 117 on the display.
 

“And where are we in a hurry?”

- Yes, we took the new Santa Fe for the test, we are going to try out. - I hold him the rights and documents for the car.

- Just an hour later, return the car, and the time is in the back: we have not even shot it yet. I agree, the absurdity came up with an excuse, but some traffic police officers forget about fines and show non -profit interest in the work of car journalists. Then I remembered another traffic cop, not so long ago stopping us on the new Rav4. He did not let us go for ten minutes, falling asleep with questions about the car. But this time the punishment of the offender, it seems, was interested in the traffic police officer much more than the new SUV from Hyundai.

- Well, Alexander Georgievich, you have to wait with the test: go to the car

The myth of the loyalty of traffic police officers to the press was completely dispelled.

  

So, bypassing nails and wands, a new Santa Fe in the most complete configuration came to us for the test. Probably today, this is the most stylish Korean. Yes, skeptical citizens can find in his design something in common with others (mainly Japanese), cars, but I personally like the car.
 
Prices:
The basic configuration of Santa Fe costs $ 35,990. Of the main options, it includes: ABS with EBD, steering wheel, adjustable tilt of the steering column, alarm, central castle, immobilizer, frontal, side pillows and safety curtains, heating the front seats, and electricity lifts. , lockable glove box, wood inserts, adjustment of the back of the 2nd row of seats, air conditioning, salon filter, electro-regulated side mirrors, fog lights, rails, electric lifts, gas tank hatch, 17-inch light-melodous discs, audio training (antenna on the roof, on the roof, 4 dynamics). The version with a box will cost $ 2,000 more.
 

The first Santa Fe was too anatomical, excessively muscular, and the outlines of the beginner were more smooth, smoothed and even. But on the front and rear wings, the muscles did not completely atrophied: they are simply not as pumped as before. And the harsh, but pretty optics in the spirit of the NF sedan are perfectly suitable for the new look of Santa Fe. Still, the window sill closer to the fifth door did not go up
 

The metal body kit, standing on a test machine, did not like me personally: it’s better not to get up on the steps - they are bending, even if they are not loaded with all weights, and Kangurin is attached to the TV (I’m afraid even with a slight blow to pull out the latter). Yes, and off -road stylistics to the Korean is not to the face - the smooth asphalt Hyundai is clearly wider.
 

Inside, the car looks good, even very good. The harmonious interior does not give the impression of insufficiently equipped, there are practically no incomplete voids. But still, the salon is characteristic of a slightly more affordable car, and after all, almost $ 41,000 is asked for Santa Fe in full uniform.

They spoil the picture, first of all, inexpensive plastic and wood inserts, an unsolvid failure between the central console and the tunnel, as well as the unpleasant blue backlight of the radio, climate control and the devices. However, the latter is a matter of taste, but ergonomic flaws are invisible: the devices are well read, even despite the already mentioned backlight. The steering wheel is convenient in the hand; There are no complaints about the placement of all kinds of pens-caps.

  

The driver’s seat has all the necessary electrical regulations, the steering wheel can be configured along the corner and departure, and the automatic box selector is just at hand. The front passenger will have to be comfortable without the help of an electrician, and he will be able to regulate only the back and position of the seat on the scheme back and forth. It is very convenient to sit on the back sofa, even the three of them.
 

In winter, Hyundai will also make yourself a kind word: passengers and the driver will not allow a powerful stove with various options for blowing warm air, heating the seats, as well as the front and rear glasses.
 

Let us return to the episode with the traffic cop: it turned out funny, because Santa Fe with an automatic machine does not have a fast driving, even despite the 2.7-liter 189-horsepower engine. According to factory data, it accelerates to 100 km/h for 11.7 s (version with mechanics - for 10.3 s). At the same time, optimal acceleration is achieved in manual automatic transmission mode, and on the drive, it seems, the set lasts at all seconds - no less. And just simultaneously with our measurements, an employee of the traffic police carried out a similar procedure, aiming us with a radar. But he, apparently, was more satisfied with the results ...
 

D. ah, Santa Fe is quite slow, which is why riding on the highway creates certain problems. For example, in order to overtake, you need to take a substantial distance to the advanced car, and press the gas in advance, highlighting the machine for an extra second to comprehend what is happening. We recommend that you use manual mode more often, although this is not a panacea. After 150 km/h, Hyundai gains difficulty, without much desire. But there are no obvious reasons for this speed: SUV keeps the way well, stable in wide -angle turns and overcomes small road flaws well.
 

The effort on the steering wheel with a set of speed almost does not change, but, in general, it is clear and does not cause any complaints. Noise insulation fully justifies the funds spent on it: on the smooth asphalt, the news of Santa Fe is one continuous pleasure. It goes like a small, but expensive yacht: inaudibly touching the wheels of asphalt and allowing a minimum of longitudinal swing. Shine - just like thoroughbred, three times dear rivals in the class!

 

Still, the roads were straight and without bumps, but if the suspension professionally practices individual fits and small potholes, then the uneven relief of the suburban canvas is fully reflected on the body. True, at a speed of more than 140 km/h noise and vibrations are felt less - it remains only to find the opportunity to accelerate
 

Nevertheless, something in common was discovered with the traffic police officer: when we saw the Korean SUV, we first thought about money. Only I hoped that the price is the competitive advantage of Hyundai, but it turned out to be no less than the one that was asked for his Japanese rivals. That is, fresh Santa Fe should be considered as a new Korean: a product that does not need discounts.
 



The car is provided by the company Vostok-Auto.

During the test, the car is insured by Rosno.


Text: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
   
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 104/2006]