Hyundai Santa Fe: Long-Term Update

Travelling east of Melbourne through the dairy farms of Gippsland, we wound our way north from the Strzelecki Ranges and into the picturesque and historic town of Walhalla.

The roads leading to this quaint tourist town are damp and windy, occasionally inducing some unexpected wheelspin from the inside wheel as the Santa Fe grappled for traction. It’s quickly evident the seven-seater’s all-wheel drive system is biased to the front axle, occasionally assisted by the rear wheels when faced with a sustained lack of purchase up front. It’s not ideal, but typical of systems of its age. 

Climbing steeply from Walhalla en route to Aberfeldy, we scale the narrow and tightly curving track, occasionally glimpsing Lake Thomson to our western side. Recent heavy rains had carved deep trenches across steeper sections of the road -- usually on corners -- Santa Fe clearing them comfortably, albeit at a considerably reduced pace. And that’s the key to much of this vehicle’s potential.

It will go most places a so-called proper four-wheel drive will go, provided you respect its limits. The stiffer suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels offer restricted compliance on coarse terrain, and the car’s speed must be altered accordingly. It’s hardly a bother considering most punters will seldom utilise the Santa Fe this way, but highlights an aptitude the humble station wagon can’t hope to compete against -- and one outdoorsy types will no doubt revel in.

Steep climbs were easily conquered with the all-wheel drive system locked to ensure grip, Santa Fe’s 421Nm four-cylinder turbodiesel engine dismissing precipitous grades with collected ease. Our fuel consumption tally rose to an even 10.0L/100km upon reaching 1000m above sea level, and this with the climate control running the entire time.

Santa Fe successfully crossed a stream deep enough to reach the top of the wheels as we continued through to the mining and logging town of Woods Point. The AWD system, locked in for maximum adhesion, operated proficiently to clamber and crawl our way to the other side. Again, respecting the car’s limitations, we had no signs of water ingress, even as the cabin flexed slightly upon climbing the shallow bank on exit.

Navigating tight corners were another highlight of the Santa Fe, and despite its obvious length, managed to turn in the same space as many small hatches (10.8 metres). The steering rack is reasonably quick (three turns lock-to-lock) and well assisted to boot. It’s a good thing, too, as on faster gravel sections much of the car’s course was dictated by driver input, the stability control system’s counterintuitive intervention eventually getting the better of this driver, opting to disable it entirely until back on the black top.

Descending the 7km fall from Matlock to Woods Point we noticed the two-tonne Santa Fe required significant braking in addition to the assistance provided by the transmission’s manual (+/-) override. By the time we arrived in town the brakes were decidedly on the nose, a point we feel could be exaggerated if carrying the full host of seven passengers, and/or towing. We also lost use of the driver’s power window briefly here, function restored after switching the car off and on again. 

Upon reaching the sealed road at the top of the Reefton Spur we were relieved, and somewhat impressed, to find the Santa Fe had developed not a single squeak or rattle after nearly 100km of rough corrugated road. The car promptly returned to becoming a composed family lugger, and much like colleague Tim Britten reported recently, fuel economy quickly returned to 7.5L/100km when cruising on the black stuff.

When you compare the Santa Fe to some of its nearest rivals, its price, and its ability as a sometimes softroader give it a flexibility family buyers can really enjoy. Who knows, it might even prove a great stepping stone from station wagon to full-blown offroader! 

Hyundai Santa Fe Comparison Test:
- Comparison  

See more pics of the Santa Fe High Country drive at motoring.com.au

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