Hyundai adds V6 power to Santa Fe range

HYUNDAI Motor Company Australia has reintroduced a V6-powered variant as a permanent member of its Santa Fe large SUV family, following the success of the 30th anniversary limited edition in September last year.

Priced at $40,990 before on-roads, the front-wheel-drive seven-seat auto-only Active X sits just under the all-wheel-drive four-cylinder petrol-powered Active variant.

Under the bonnet of the Active X is the same engine in the ‘30’ edition – a 3.3-litre all-aluminium V6 that pumps out 199kW of power and 318Nm of torque, making it the most powerful engine in the current Hyundai passenger range.

It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power exclusively to the front wheels, making it the only two-wheel-drive variant in the Santa Fe line-up.

Standard exterior features on the Active X include five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55 R19 rubber, chrome door handles, rear privacy glass, heated outside mirrors and rain-sensing wipers, LED daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and roof rails.

Inside, the Active X gets leather-appointed interior, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control plus air-conditioning for third-row seats, tyre pressure monitor, glovebox cooling, 7.0-inch touchscreen audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seven airbags, rearview camera and premium steering wheel and gearknob.

The Active holds a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and comes with safety features such as ESC, traction control, ABS brakes, brake assist, hill-start assist, electronic brake force distribution and rear parking assist.

It also comes equipped with Hyundai’s Australia-specific suspension and handling tweaks, as well as the brand’s lifetime service plan.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) COO Scott Grant said the Active X offered an attractive price point in a hotly-contested market segment.

“For buyers who don’t need all-wheel-drive, Active X is a capable and exceptionally well-equipped Hyundai large SUV for under $41,000,” he said.

“And that’s big news in one of Australia’s most popular market segments.”The Santa Fe has been one of the stronger sellers in the sub-$70,000 large-SUV segment this year, with 1495 sales in the first two months of the year to go with 7834 in 2016.

In 2017 it has outsold contenders such as the Nissan Pathfinder (1427), Mazda CX-9 (1339) and Toyota Kluger (1286), but remains behind segment leaders like the Toyota Prado (2383), Holden Captiva (2093) and Subaru Outback (1752).