Hyundai just unveiled their all-new 2019 Santa Fe
SUV for the U.S. market, giving New York Auto Show visitors the chance to
admire the car’s bolder design language and much-improved safety and
convenience tech.
For the 2019MY, the five-passenger model, previously
dubbed Santa Fe Sport, will be known only as Santa Fe, whereas the three-row
seven-seat version will wear the moniker Santa Fe XL. Meanwhile, the diesel
version will receive an “occasional-use” third-row seat and one-touch folding
second-row seats.
There is of course nothing new about the appearance
of the 2019 Santa Fe, as those who followed the Geneva Motor Show earlier this
month undoubtedly saw the European-spec car boasting its Kona-like exterior
design, large “cascanding” grille, increased dimensions and a much more
technologically advanced interior compared to its predecessor.
The 2019 Santa Fe’s cabin can be equipped
with a digital instrument cluster, 8.5-inch head-up display, new infotainment system
and Hyundai Smart Sense technologies, such as High Beam Assist, Forward
Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit
Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Smart Cruise Control
with Stop & Go, Rear View Monitor with Parking Guidance (plus tailgate
safe-open guide and high definition camera), Surround View Monitor, Rear Cross
Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist and Parking Distance Warning.
Other safety features include Rear Occupant Alert,
which represents a Hyundai-first. This system monitors the rear seats with an
ultrasonic sensor, and can detect the movements of a child or pet, reminding
the driver to check the rear seats when getting out of the car, via a center
instrument cluster message. The Safe Exit Assist system is also a
Hyundai-first, temporarily preventing doors from being opened when another
vehicle is approaching from behind – it works even if the doors are unlocked.
Buying a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe means choosing
between three different powertrains. There is a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder
petrol with 185 HP and 241 Nm of torque, a punchier 2.0-liter
four-cylinder petrol with 235 HP and 353 Nm of torque, and a 190 HP
2.2-liter diesel with 436 Nm of its own.
All engines work alongside a new 8-speed automatic
transmission, with column-mounted paddles and a multi-disc, individually
controlled hydraulic channel torque converter. As for the HTRAC AWD system,
it’s meant to provide comfort and control in all weather conditions with its
Normal, Sport and Smart modes.
If you’re really going to spend your hard earned
money on one, it’s important to know that there are plenty of comfort and
convenience features on-board, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
(available for even the base trim level), an available Qi wireless charging
pad, available 640-watt, 12-speaker Infinity stereo system with QuantumLogic
Surround Sound technology and the Smart Speed-Dependent Volume Control.
Last, there’s the Blue Link Connected
Car System, offering enhanced safety, diagnostics, remote and voice guidance
services such as Remote Start with Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock,
Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Recovery.
The all-new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will go on sale in
the U.S. this summer.
