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Chris Fincham10 Apr 2015
REVIEW

Hyundai Santa Fe 2015 Long-Term Test

After 12,000 fuss-free kilometres, it's time to give the top-spec Santa Fe's third-row seating a thorough workout

Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDi (MY15)
Long-Term Test (Update #4)

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander the most popular 'long-termer' ever to grace the motoring.com.au garage?

It would have to be close, as after three months it's now clocked a whirlwind 12,000-plus kilometres and had more drivers than you can count on two hands.

I know this because with a maximum eight phone numbers capable of being stored in the Santa Fe's hard drive, I was forced to delete one in order to 'pair' my iPhone for some hands-free connectivity during a recent stint in the mid-sized seven-seater.

Apart from some minor gripes, it's fair to say the Santa Fe's all-round versatility, fuss-free performance and user-friendliness has endeared it to all testers so far, for one reason or another. Tow tug, family holiday-mobile, 'burbs blaster, photographer 'support' vehicle… there's little the Santa Fe can't do – or at least have a decent crack at.

However, one area yet to be put under the microscope – and a major reason for buying the Hyundai in the first place – is the functionality of its third-row seating.

Not all third-row pop-up seats are equal, as we've discovered in a number of SUVs over the years, with some having more in common with a park bench than something designed by an orthopaedic specialist. So we were keen to see if the Santa Fe's were more family friendly than marketing gimmick…

The toughest test we subjected it to was a two-hour return trip to Melbourne's scenic Dandenong Ranges, carting four adults, two primary school aged children, a medium-sized dog and a couple of bags.

Accessing the third row is relatively easy, at least for my nine and 11-year old girls, with a sufficient entry gap once the lever on top of the outboard (kerbside) second row seat is pulled to slide the seat forward and flip the seatback.

While still good for hopping kerbs, the Santa Fe's 185mm ground clearance is also low enough so smaller kids (and dogs) don't have struggle to climb into the vehicle.

Once back there in the two back seats, foot and knee room is limited, not helped by the low-set seating position. But with some fine-tuning of first and second-row seating positions (the second row, split-fold seats are adjustable fore/aft and have reclining seatbacks), and re-shuffling of passengers including putting the shortest child behind the long-legged driver, there were no serious complaints or leg cramps during the trip.

Helping matters are various levers and handles (we counted seven in total) that flip, fold, recline and slide the 60:40 second-row and 50:50 third-row seats, ensuring a workable configuration to accommodate family and cargo.

Even Raf the Portuguese Water Dog seemed content on his 'half' of the loadspace, including a folded, third-row seat.

With second-row seats pushed even further forward, you could possibly squeeze some lanky teenagers in the back, although with a payload of just 632kg, the Santa Fe is not really designed to cart around seven, full-sized adults, even if it could fit them in.

The top-spec Hyundai also gets top marks for contoured seatbacks and cushioned squabs, adjustable air-con vents, and individual storage pockets for third-row passengers. Durable seat coverings and plastics also proved resistant to the odd foot kick (is it just my kids that use any opportunity to turn a car into climbing equipment?).

Less positive is the low seating position and tiny rear windows, which severely restrict outward visibility. But with a 12V outlet close by (making four in total), the tiny tackers shouldn't ever need to live without constant, rechargeable power for their DVD players and tablets.

Common to most seven seaters, the other downside is loss of load space, with just enough room for a couple of boogie boards with the third row in play. While a roof-mounted storage pod would help carry the excess on family holidays, you'd block any benefits of the full-length sunroof.

And while nit-picking, is the automatic tail-gate fitted to the top-spec Highlander really necessary? It takes about 10 seconds to open or close, depending on whether you press the button on the key fob or tailgate to operate it or let it open automatically by sensing your presence behind (if the 'Smart Tailgate' function is switched on in the trip computer settings).

Although the 'hands-free' option did come in handy at least once when returning from supermarket shopping with both hands full, more often than not it would have been quicker and more convenient to open and close the tailgate manually. Turning it off completely wasn't the solution either, with the strut-assisted lifting action quite stiff compared to other wagons.

But that's another minor gripe in what continues to be a polished performance from the long-term Santa Fe. While not quite as spacious or practical as a purpose-built people mover, it's arguably more stylish, better on rough roads and practical enough to meet the needs of most busy families.

Unless they have six kids, three dogs and own a three-tonne caravan, whoever grabs the keys to the Hyundai next should have little to complain about either…

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDi pricing and specifications:
Price:
$53,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 145kW/436Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 192g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)
   

What we liked:
Not so much:
>> Seating adjustability >> Tiny rear-side window
>> Easy-going performance >> Frustrating auto tail-gate
>> Third-row features >> Thirstier when fully laden

Related reading:
>> Hyundai Santa Fe Long-Term Test (Introduction)
>> Hyundai Santa Fe Long-Term Test (Update 1)
>> Hyundai Santa Fe Long-Term Test (Update 2) / Tow Test
>> Hyundai Santa Fe Long-Term Test (Update 3)
>> Hyundai Santa Fe Long-Term Test (Video)
    

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Written byChris Fincham
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