Hyundai Santa Fe 2006 test drive - 2009 SUV

Santa Fe from Taganrog against Tucson from Seoul

Two Korean cars from one manufacturer. A little different in price, but far from the same on the road and in pampas. The difference between the two Hyundai crossovers is 58 thousand rubles and 175 mm lengths. More expensive and shorter more modern Tucson.
And cheaper and longer the more experienced Santa Fe Classic Taganrog assembly. At the same time, both test cars are equipped with the same two -liter diesel engines and automatic boxes. Only the automatic transmission is not entirely similar. Both four -speeds with the possibility of manual gear shifts, but Santa Fe has a pseudo -shaped mode (with a cut -off at critical speeds), and Tucson honestly turns it all the way. True, as a result, it turns out that due to the cutting off the Santa Fe box has an additional sports regime. You translate the automatic transmission lever from the drive to the right position, and the sport is activated you can not be distracted by manual selection of gears. On the asphalt with active driving it is very convenient. But on off -road would be better without these tricks.

 
Santa Fe is devoid of anti -boom electronics, but due to a more basic transmission of the obstacle, he is able to take in vat. In addition, the rear differential has high friction
 
 
TUCSON has an anti -wings system, although it works on the algorithm that is not too suitable for off -road
 
 
Santa Fe automatic transmission has a sports mode, which is included in the translation of the lever into manual

 
Tucson automatic transmission, judging by the main pair, is more asphalt than that of Santa Fe. But overclocking is more vigorous
 
 
Well, Santa Fe can not boast of the volume and additional organizer in the trunk
 
 
Although the luggage compartment of Tucson is small, but the seats are laid out in an even floor

Disappeared in the ice
Asphalt races from a traffic light to a traffic light and between the rows, however, like protracted throws in a straight line in the left row, the Tucson driver is better better. This crossover is easier and more pleasant along the asphalt due to more built pendants and steering. Santa Fe Classic reacts slower and not as clearly as a smaller fellow. You need to get used to it a little, and you take TUCSON with ease immediately.
Recently, on one forum on the Internet, I read a comment that sounded something like this: say how these cars are different. And do not about controllability, from these terms he is sick! Good. Especially for you, buddy, we will go on crossovers made for solid roads to the maximum possible off-road and we will talk about cross-country ability.
Tucson gave up quickly, falling through the wheels between two ice floes. At first it seemed that everything should be the other way around, since Santa Fe Classic is heavier than 191 kg, and with the same motors, such a difference for off -road is serious. But the Taganrozhets easily walked along the entire route both on lifts, and in deep mud, and in promoons with anxure.

 
A terribly convenient thing is an organizer in the trunk. How many unnecessary things can be hidden!
 
 
TUCSON sector lies in the trunk, and Santa is suspended under the bottom
 
Probably, the point is different rubber, because Tucson will be shod in the summer wheels, and Santa Fe in the all -season? No. Santa felt too confident to write off it on tires. Most likely the matter is the transmission. This conjecture was confirmed in the representative office. It turns out that the gear ratio in the rear gearbox has Santa Fe Classic 3.8, and Tucson 3.0. The main pair in the box, respectively, 4.3 and 4.0. Obviously, the traction characteristics on the side of Santa. Therefore, despite the excess weight, he completely won the off -road part of our test.

Matter: Hyundai Santa Fe
 

 

Matter: Hyundai Tucson
 

 
Diesel pulled out
Usually it’s a pity for the off-road crossovers, but I never had to cry over Santa Fe Classic. It is not equipped with either the blocking of the central differential, or the ESP shutdown button (because there is simply no stabilization system), and the mud is perfectly knitted, once again proving that the automation of the automatic transmission+diesel can make a noble passage from any crossover. Plus, a 207 mm road clearance for a parquet in essence of the car is solid. Well, we will not forget about the differential of increased friction in the rear bridge and the Viso-Muft, which controls the center differential.

   
With a height of more than 175 cm, the adjustment range in Santa Fe Classic will seem insufficient
Oddly enough, but a tall driver is more convenient at the wheel of a little Tucson to sit down and away

   
The rear sofa Santa Fe is noticeably more spacious than that of a colleague. However, the trunk too ...
The inconvenience in Tucson will only be experienced by passengers tall from 1.75 m, the rest is comfortable

Tucson has less than 195 mm, and we had to pull it out of the promo, while damaging the thresholds (who only came up with them?), But on the rest of the route he passed everywhere. Not as confident as an opponent, sometimes only with acceleration, but got to the finish line.
Of course, the off-road is not his discipline, however, it should not be written off TUCSON accounts. It is equipped with a central lock and the ESP shutdown function. You can add cross -country ability, shoes of a crossover to the tires of the AT category, but then the WISKOFT will be under threat. Under a strong load, it will overheat and fail.
Many Santa Fe Classic buyers claim that they have chosen this model due to a spacious salon. Indeed, the space on the back is not just any more than that of Tucson, it is really a lot.

   
The trunk is larger, in the second row is more spacious, the road clearance is higher than the advantages of the old Korean
Although Tucson is small, and he has more the wheelbase than that of Santa. In this case, the rifle of rivals is the same

But this was done due to the longitudinal adjustment of the driver's place: at the wheel of Santa, a tall person first wants to move back another ten centimeters. But in Tucson, the possibility of adjusting is much more extensive. What is there, just look carefully on the photo on the next page you can see everything.
In general, so: if you need a passable and roomy crossover, choose a classic Santa. TUCSON holds the primacy on asphalt disciplines of acceptance, course stability and handling. Well, on off -road, it is more inferior in purity to execution than in possibilities.
 
Author: Dmitry Leontyev, photo of Alexander Ortnova-Baranov


 

A source: Magazine 4x4 [May/2008]