Hyundai Santa Fe: 4 enticing trims

Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) revived the Santa Fe nameplate not too long ago. Further, the local subsidiary of the South Korean carmaker continued to support the model by bringing in the new-energy variant of the sport utility vehicle (SUV). 

That said, some car buyers eyeing the futuristic seven-seater might find themselves on the fence about what variant to buy. On that note, we take a deep dive to see the four enticing trims of the Hyundai Santa Fe. 

GLS (2WD) 

The Hyundai Santa Fe GLS is the base model of the nameplate, which makes the two-wheel drive version of the said variant the entry-level trim. 

Exterior 

Outside, the Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2WD wears a pair of multi-faceted reflector (MFR) LED headlamps complemented by LED daytime running lights. A long horizontal lamp — which Hyundai calls a center garnish lamp — connects the two front lights and ultimately creates a signature “H” lighting. 

The side profile of the SUV gets power-folding side mirrors with heating function and repeaters, some blacked-out claddings on the wheel arches and on the lower portion of the doors, dark-hued pillars, a pair of roof rails, and a set of 20-inch alloy wheels shod in 255/45 series tires. 

At the back, the Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2WD comes with LED rear combination lamps, two fog lamps, and a roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated third brake lamp. Rounding up its appointments is a large enough glass and a power tailgate. 

Interior 

The cabin of the Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2WD comes with decent features that will not leave car buyers eyeing this model wanting. Standard is a 12.3-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) instrument cluster complemented by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition. 

Owners can also enjoy Hyundai’s creative cubby in the Santa Fe GLS 2WD variant. The console box can store various everyday carry items and can be accessed by the occupants from both (front seat, second-row seat) directions. 

Unique to this trim is standard leather upholstery on the seats and a leather steering wheel. The driver and the front passenger get power adjust features while those sitting on the second row get sliding, reclining, and remote folding functionalities. Not to be left out are those occupying the third row, whose seats can split, recline, and fold. 

Safety

Hyundai has bolstered the safety of its offerings, with the Santa Fe nameplate as a prime example. The base model comes with standard technologies, which we have listed below: 

• Airbags
• Seatbelts
• Anti-lock braking 
• Electronic stability control 
• hill-start assist 
• Tire pressure monitoring 

Further, those who prefer to stay on the base level can still enjoy the Hyundai Smartsense suite of safety features listed here: 

• Smart cruise control
• Forward collision avoidance
• Lane following assist
• Lane-keeping assist
• Blind spot view monitoring
• Reverse parking assist with collision avoidance
• Parking distance warning 
• Manual speed limit assist
  Rea occupant alert 
• Surround view monitor

Powertrain, chassis 

Under the hood of the Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2WD is the brand’s Smartstream G 2.5 gasoline engine. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a two-wheel drive train, which sends power to the front wheel axle. 

Power production peaks at 191 horsepower (hp) with a maximum torque of 246 Newton-meters (Nm). 

Facilitating deceleration and halts are disc brakes (17 inches front, 16 inches rear). Suspension-wise, the base model gets a MacPherson strut with a multi-link setup at the fore and high-performance dampers at the rear. 

GLS (4WD) 

The Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD sports pretty much the same appointments as its two-wheel-drive counterpart. 

However, it comes with an all-wheel drivetrain, which sends power to all four wheels. It gets high-performance dampers with a self-levelizer for its rear suspension in lieu of the standard damper-only setup. 

With virtually identical features, the costs of the two variants are not so different as well. Below is a table that shows their respective sticker prices: 

Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2WD	P2.41 million
Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD	P2.54 million

 

Calligraphy AWD

The Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy grade is the range-topping variant of the lineup. That said, would-be owners can expect some upmarket features to go with this trim. 

Exterior 

The Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD gets wide projection LED lights instead of the MFR LED lamps one gets with the GLS models. It is also fitted with a low beam assist, which provides drivers some layer of convenience. 

Further, this variant gets assist handles, which makes reaching for cargo loaded onto the roof rails easier. These assist handles are hidden seamlessly on the pillars of the SUV and can be accessed by pushing the bottom cover of the handle. It can also be locked to prevent accidental opening of the assistive feature. 

It rides on 21-inch alloy wheels with 244/45 radial tires.

Interior 

More features seem to divide the Calligraphy from the GLS variant of the Hyundai Santa Fe. To start off, the seats are now finished with warmer, softer Nappa leather. Further, the driver and the front passenger can relax using the model’s “power relaxation seats.”

Notable features of the front seats include integrated memory seats, ventilation, and heating. Those sitting on the second row get heating on top of the standard slide, recline, and remote fold function. 

The driver will also get a head-up display (on top of a two-tone leather steering wheel), improving his or her visibility of relevant driving information. While the large TFT instrument panel does a good job of feeding the person behind the wheel a good amount of data, these details cast on the bottom of the windshield help by reducing the time it takes to remove one’s eye on the road. 

Passengers will also get a built-in ultraviolet light sterilizer to help them clean their everyday carry and frequently used items when on the road. Located in the glove box compartment area, the sterilizer can hold and clean things like wallets, cards, and gloves. 

In addition, the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD also gets two wireless charging docks instead of the single wireless charger offered by the GLS models. This means that the vehicle can juice up to two devices without the use of annoying cables. 

Powertrain, chassis 

Under the bonnet of the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD is the brand’s Smartstream G 2.5 T powerplant. While it has the same displacement size as the Smartstream G 2.5, it can produce 227 hp with 422 Nm. Further, the gasoline mill is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which gives the powertrain some peppiness. 

The difference (36 horses and 176 Nm) between the two powertrains could play a crucial role when one needs to conquer various terrains or haul more cargo. 

Calligraphy AWD HEV 

Not too long ago, HMPH gave the Santa Fe the hybrid treatment when it introduced the Calligraphy AWD HEV. 

It packs the same set of features as the non-hybrid Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD but instead uses a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. According to HMPH, the internal combustion engine produces up to 231 hp while the electric motor contributes some 64 horses. Likewise, the main engine dishes out 367 Nm while the electric motor makes 264 Nm. 

The Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD HEV also offers a smooth driving performance per HMPH. On its website, it claims that the hybrid powertrain’s electric motors “provide excellent driving comfort thanks to improved performance technology.” It points out that “vehicle vibration is controlled to ensure smooth acceleration, while handle performance has been improved to ensure stable cornering and turning.” 

Exclusive content is also available on the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD HEV’s infotainment system such as electric motor usage and fuel efficiency.

Below are the prices of the two Calligraphy models: 

Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD	P3.1 million
Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD HEV	P3.33 million

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