Class, comfort and value

By Ghaith Madadha - Dec 01,2014 - Last updated at Dec 01,2014

Winner of the inaugural 2014 Middle East Car of the Year annual awards’ Best Midsize SUV segment, the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe is among the Korean automotive giant’s best efforts and best resolved vehicles in its’ given segment.

A particularly well-executed interpretation of the brand’s evolving design language, the Grand Santa Fe looks and feels like a more up-market vehicle than the previous generation Santa Fe and larger Veracruz SUV, which the 7-seat Grand version Santa Fe directly replaces.

Nonetheless, the smooth and refined Grand Santa Fe still represents good value in its segment, and is generously well equipped.

Chiselled character

A well-resolved and chiselled design, the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe has an air of dynamism and solidity about it. With broad snouty trapezoidal grille set low and flanked by sharp swept back headlights and a large air intake angled out to the road, the Grand Santa Fe’s imposing face sits well with its muscular flanks and proportions.

Slightly wider than it is tall, the Grand Santa Fe sits on the road with a visually planted appearance, while the extended wheelbase over the shorter 5-seat version lends the Grand version a more elegant profile and sense of balanced proportion.

With a rising shoulder line and side ridge extending from the top of the front wheel-arch to the top of the rear lights, the Grand Santa Fe’s sense of movement and dynamic tension is enhanced by its subtly descending roofline, tailgate spoiler and longer rear overhang.

The side crease-line curves around the rear lights, tapering inwards at the rear fascia. Lower black cladding visually reduces the Grand Santa Fe’s sense of bulk and along with skid-plate style metallic panels front and rear, lends a more aggressive off-road sense of appeal. Juxtaposing this are bumper-integrated chrome-outlined exhaust pipe openings for an elegant look.

Smooth delivery

Smooth and refined, the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe is powered by a 24-valve DOHC 3.3-litre V6 engine with continuously variable valve timing producing 266BHP at 6,400rpm and 234lb/ft at 5,300rpm.

Driven through a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic gearbox with aggressive first and second ratios, and delivering its power to all four wheels through a transverse-engine, front-drive derived four-wheel-drive system, the large and weighty Grand Santa Fe digs its heels into the ground on launch and can complete the benchmark 0-100km/h dash in 8.8 seconds.

Confidently quick for a large comfortable 7-seat SUV, the Grand Santa Fe can also attain a 207km/h maximum speed.

With an over-square engine design and relatively high-revving power — rather than torque — biased engine, the Grand Santa Fe’s delivery is smooth, sweet and eager, with its progressive buildup and high peak points allowing for good throttle control.

Able to precisely dial in power through corners for predictable and progressive characteristics, the Grand Santa Fe’s engine nonetheless has decent low- and mid-range urge and flexibility for confident, quiet and flexible daily driving.

Tuned for smooth and supple rather than snappy or swift shifts, the Grand Santa Fe’s gearbox can, however, be operated in sequential mode to provide the driver with greater involvement and control.

Reassuringly smooth

A comfortable and smooth riding SUV, the Grand Santa Fe is stable, reassuring and composed on highways where cabin refinement levels are high. In town it is easier to manoeuvre than expected, with light steering, good visibility from the mirrors and reversing camera.

Set-up for a comfortably absorbent ride quality, the Grand Santa Fe takes rough road patches in its stride, and irons out harsh or jagged imperfections. Over sudden crests, dips or bumps the Grand Santa Fe’s relatively soft damping does, however, mean that it bounces slightly more than a less comfortable but firmer SUV on vertical rebound before settling.

Tuned to be well-damped and reassuring at speed and light in town, the Grand Santa Fe’ steering, however, delivers decent accuracy through corners, where it turns in tidy for such a tall and heavy SUV.

Through corners the comfortable Grand Santa Fe leans slightly, but feels well-controlled and natural, while its long wheelbase and sticky tyres provide excellent lateral grip. With a front-drive derived four-wheel-drive system the Grand Santa Fe can send power rearwards for added traction and through aggressive corners for additional grip.

At low speeds, its’ four-wheel-drive can be locked in for consistent traction and equal power distribution over wet, gravely or otherwise low traction surfaces.

Well-kitted comfort

Hugely practical and spacious the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe offers generous space for the five occupants of its front two rows and adequate space in the flat-folding third-row occasional use seats. Accommodating for passengers and cargo, the Grand Santa Fe features a maximum 1842 litres luggage capacity with the rearmost seat rows folded down.

Access to all rows is good while a power-tailgate is useful. Powered and heated memory front seats are well adjustable and complemented by reach and rake adjustable multi-function steering. Road views are commanding, while storage spaces and convenience kit is quite extensive, including dual zone climate control.

Comfortable and refined inside, the Grand Santa Fe’s cabin is well insulated from road noise, vibrations and harshness, while its cabin appointment is classy and welcoming. Fitted with quality stitched brown leather seats as tested the Grand Santa Fe had a hospitably elegant feel to it, while instrumentation and functions were user friendly.

Driven in GLS spec, the Grand Santa Fe was well-equipped and featured 19-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, rain sensor, side curtains, fog lights, xenon lights, roof rails, smart key, cruise control, folding mirrors and leather steering with audio controls.

A good CD sound system featured USB, MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility, while safety features included Isofix child seat latches, eight airbags, electronic stability control and ABS brakes.

Technical specifications

Engine: 3.3-litre, V6 cylinders

Bore x stroke: 92 x 83.8mm

Valve-train: 24-valve, DOHC, variable valve timing

Gearbox: 6-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 266 (270) [198] @ 6,400rpm

Specific power: 79.7BHP/litre

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 234 (317) @ 5,300rpm

Specific torque: 94.8Nm/litre

0-100 km/h: 8.8 seconds

Top speed: 207km/h

Fuel economy, city/highway/combined: