The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe offers more saloon car-like refinement and handling characteristics while ushering in a new design language set to make an appearance on a number of firm’s future models. This new design in the car dubbed Storm Edge, is an evolution of the company’s now well known Fluidic Sculpture language that makes the car look more urban. So whether you are planning to buy or not this SUV from Hyundai, the new Santa Fe does look handsome and suitably up market. Hyundai is doing its level best to bring in the new Santa Fe into the Indian market by 2013 and with a price tag of Rs 23-26 lakh for the current car, the Korean company is definitely looking forward for its success here.
Looking at the car one can come to know that the designers at Hyundai have used the natural things to shape the car. The curving roof and pillar silhouettes give the impression of a cumulus cloud crest while the strong character lines on the flanks are meant to imitate the wind. Also the sharper elements like the headlamps, angular front valance and prominent single-frame grille allude to lightning. The front end of the car is marked with a striking hexagonal grille as well as LED accent lighting. The sides gets the attention via a sleek design LED Side Repeater, body colour side mirrors with power adjusting and heating option to defrost quickly in cold weather, 19 inch Euroflange alloy wheels as well as the distinctive side lines that enhance the aerodynamic profile of the vehicle.
On the top there’s panoramic sunroof which provides exceptional openness for more sun, fresh air & better view to both the front as well as rear passengers. Finally the rear is marked with twin tip chrome tailpipe with bold aesthetic styling and rear parking assist sensors that helps during parking and reverse driving situations.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor the result of which being appreciable increase in head, shoulder and legroom as well as a luggage compartment. The interior definitely shows how much attention has the designers at Hyundai given to every detail in the car including the ergonomically flowing two-tone front dashboard having standard steering wheel mounted with Bluetooth, audio and cruise controls. The car also features sophisticated styling with sedan-level of comfort by providing some of the premium features like heated front seats, heated steering wheels, panoramic sunroof, cooled front seats and 12 way power adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support. Some of the other features includes CD/MP3/USB/aux-in audio systems across the range, keyless start-up, manual and automatic air-conditioning with second/third row ventilation where applicable, electric parking brake on GLS models, optional reverse camera, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, electric windows and mirrors.
The new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will have two diesel engine options. The first and the more powerful one being the all new 2.0L V6 turbocharged GDI engine producing a massive 264 hp & 269lb-ft of torque. This engine also has an improved fuel efficiency of 9.1L/100km. The second being the 2.4L engine with enhanced GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) Technology producing a max power output of 190 hp & torque of max 181 lb-ft. Both these engines are mated to a six-speed transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control and also at the same time been well tested in Hyundai Sonata.
| Type | Displacement(cc) | Max Power (BHP/rpm) | Max Torque (Nm/rpm) |
| Diesel | 2359 | 190/6300 | 181/4250 |
| Diesel | 1998 | 264/6000 | 269/1750 |
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is equipped with tons of active & passive safety features. Standard on all models being the 7 airbags and high tensile strength steel chassis structure. Other safety feature includes state of art braking system comprising of Anti lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) with Traction Control System (TCS) to ensure braking is done properly even in adverse road conditions, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and backup camera. All these features have helped the vehicle achieve a five-star EuroNCAP crash rating.
| Features | 2.4 Litre version | 2 Litre version |
| Engine | 2359 cc | 1998 cc |
| Transmission | Automatic | Automatic |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 66 L | 66 L |
| Power | 190 bhp @ 6300rpm | 181 bhp @ 4250rpm |
| Mileage (City/Highway) | 10.1 km | 11.0 km |
The new Santa Fe will be priced around Rs 24-25 lakhs in India and would be competing against some of the recently made popular vehicles like the Renault Koleos, and the new Chevrolet Captiva.
