The all-new, third generation, Hyundai Santa Fe has gone on sale in Ireland with prices starting from €36,995.
Due to its well established name the Santa Fe flagship does not go with Hyundai's 'i' naming convention, instead retaining the tag it had held since first launched. The new SUV is the latest exponent of the South Korean's 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language with the hexagonal front grille giving the Santa Fe an imposing look on the road. Longer and wider than before the new car boasts more interior space, which Hyundai has filled with kit.
Entry level Comfort models include seven seats, air conditioning, Bluetooth with phone and audio streaming capabilities, 17-inch alloys, a reversing camera and downhill brake assist (despite being the two-wheel drive model).
For four-wheel drive you have to move up to the Executive version that starts from €40,995 (€44,995 with an automatic gearbox). This includes leather upholstery, climate control, integrated roof rack and auto wipers. Top of the range Premium models, which come in at €48,995, add 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, power driver's seat and satellite navigation.
In two-wheel drive guise, which Hyundai Ireland expects to account for the bulk of Santa Fe sales, the reworked 2.2-litre CRDi engine emits just 147g/km, though the four-wheel drive model doesn't fair much worse with 149g/km.