Plus, a full pack of safety features and modern amenities
Hyundai's recent climb on the automotive world ladder is not just about upping the ante in terms of comfort, design and quality. Their strategy involves launching new models that pick up where the previous ones left. Case in point: the all-new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe.
We've previously seen the SUV back when Hyundai dropped two official photos and a set of sketches, yet this time the carmaker's press blurb contains specs and related info.
For starters, the 2019 Santa Fe five-seater drops the Sport name so from now on, it will be referred to as simply the Santa Fe, while the long-wheelbase, three-row, seven-seater model will be called Santa Fe XL. Technicalities aside, let's focus on the important stuff.
Interior
Inside, Hyundai says the new Santa Fe displays "premium qualityand roomy layout and enhanced visibility." In other words, the infotainment system is now tilted and positioned to reduce glare, the cupholders have been repositioned and the door map pockets' size went down to allow for more legroom.
Suspension-wise, Hyundai tells us they've adjusted the geometry with the rear shocks being moved in a perfect vertical position from the previous tilted one.
On the safety front, the new Santa Fe brings together familiar systems like high beam assist, forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, smart cruise control and driver attention warning.
The five-seater Santa Fe sits on a 106.3-inch wheelbase while the seven-seater Santa Fe XL's wheelbase stretches to 108.9 inches.
Powertrain, drivetrain
Furthermore, three engines are available at launch: a 2.4-liter in-line four GDI gasoline unit making 185 hp and a 2-liter turbo'ed four-cyl powerplant with 232 hp on tap. Surprise, surprise: there's also a diesel engine ready to take the new Santa Fe from A to B, namely a 2.2-liter CRDi mill that produces 200 hp and 320 lb-ft.
Keep in mind the power and torque values are so far only estimates, but every engine is married to a new eight-speed automatic transmission with steering column paddles. The unit is designed in-house by Hyundai, is lighter than the six-speed auto it replaces, and the Koreans say it can improve fuel economy by more than 3%.
4×4 abilities are handled by Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel drive setup with active torque control between the rear and front axle.
Technology
The AVN 5.0 navi setup supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trim levels while base-spec models get the standard 7-inch display.
A 630-watt, 12-speaker sound system handles the acoustic bit inside the new Santa Fe and drivers can also opt for a head-up display that projects an 8.5-inch virtual image onto the windshield with various info such as speed, speed limit and audio system data just to name a few.
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