Hyundai’s Santa Fe: Which trim level holds the best value?

 We surveyed the used values of the recently-launched fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, and the model that came out on top was somewhat surprising. There are three models in the range and there is a price difference of R150 000 between the least-expensive and the top-of-the-range model.

Hyundai’s Santa Fe is now in its fourth generation, the latest version of the handy Korean seven-seater having been launched towards the end of 2018.

Hyundai’s policy of speccing its cars with a standard list of features included in the selling price is a refreshing one. There are no endless options lists to peruse when shopping for a Hyundai, and the Santa Fe is no exception to this rule.

What this means when selling the car, or buying a used example, is that you can easily determine what’s included in the price by studying the original specification list for each trim level. For a new-model launch report on the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Santa Fe range

As in the past generations, the fourth-gen Santa Fe comes in three trim levels. Engine-wise they all use the 142 kW 2,2-litre diesel and this is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The entry level model is known as the Santa Fe 2.2D Premium, and costs R599 900. The mid-range model is the Santa Fe 2.2D Executive and the showroom price is R659 900. The top of the range model is the Santa Fe 2.2D Elite All-Wheel-Drive, and because of its all-wheel-drive specification, as well as top trim levels, it is considerably more expensive at R749 900.

Which trim level holds its price the best?

It is a good idea when buying a new car to get an idea of what sort of prices a used example is fetching on the second-hand market. In the case of this fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, the number of used current model Santa Fes on the market is not very large, but nevertheless we detected a distinct trend in pricing of used models across the various trim ranges. To browse used examples for sale of the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Somewhat surprisingly, it is the most expensive model in the range that is currently holding its value best.

In our survey of used (very low mileage)  fourth-generation Santa Fes, the least-expensive Premium model is showing the greatest initial depreciation at this stage. The Executive mid-line model is second-best, while the most expensive model, the all-wheel-drive Elite, is showing the least depreciation.

This trend amongst fourth-generation Santa Fes is probably due to the fact that, in this premium-level family-orientated market segment, the most luxurious model is most in demand as a new car, and this is reflected in used examples. This trend here is not always the case in other premium brands, where often the most expensive model loses more value

It should be noted that these values are valid now in mid-April 2019, at a stage where supply of new examples of  Santa Fe may well be difficult to come by. We noted that sales of the new Santa Fe were very high in the initial month after launch, but dropped off sharply, indicating that there is a new-model supply shortage.

For the record.

1. Santa Fe 2.2D Eite AWD, is showing an average deprecation of 4,5 per cent in mid-April, 2019

2. The mid-line Executive model shows a 7,55 per cent depreciation

3. The least expensive model, the 2.2D Premium, at this time, is showing a 9,5 per cent  depreciation.