2015 Hyundai Santa Fe SR Review – A Sauced-up Santa Fe
The skinny: Hyundai’s launch of its ‘N’ sub-brand (as seen on its World Rally Championship i20s) heralds the big, capable Korean’s rising interest in the sports-performance end of the market.
It’s a logical next step, and, alongside the Genesis luxury nameplate, puts another piece in place for the world’s fourth-biggest car company.
Hyundai Australia has a new Santa Fe coming, but it’s keeping the interest alive with the smarter, sharper, sportier-looking Santa Fe SR.
A full-size SUV with some good looking and nicely engineered enhancements is a smart move by Hyundai’s ‘downunder’ team – it doesn’t go any faster, but it handles quite a bit better.
Vehicle Style: Large SUV
Price: $59,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 145kW/436Nm 2.2 litre 4cyl turbo-diesel | 6sp auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 7.2 l/100km | tested: 8.3 l/100km
OVERVIEW
There’s a lot to like about the current Hyundai Santa Fe. The range kicks-off at $38,490 for the ‘Active’ model 2.4-litre petrol and the diesel line-up stretches from $41,490 to $59,990 for the SR tested here.
The SR, for all that extra dosh, comes with a bunch of wheel, tyre, brake and suspension changes courtesy of Hyundai’s Australian engineering team.
Starting point was the Santa Fe Sport model (sold in Korea) but fitted locally are springs from H&R Performance - six percent stiffer up front, 11.0 percent stiffer at the rear. (They’re painted red should you want to lob your bonce down below for a look.)
Clearly visible are the tell-tale red Brembo brake calipers which bite into new discs (340mmx28mm at the front and 302mmx22mm at the rear).