Top 3 Hyundai Santa Fe features that stand out from the competition.

Improving with every generation

The first Hyundai Santa Fe arrived in 2001, and, in spite of somewhat awkward styling, immediately made an impression in the burgeoning SUV market. By the time the second-generation model arrived, this model name has already acquired a healthy dose of brand equity, so it significantly upped the style factor, and started added safety technology and luxury features that weren’t yet common in this market segment. 

This trend continued through the third-generation model to the latest (fourth-generation) Santa Fe, which yet again introduces a bundle of segment-leading available equipment. The safety advances are particularly impressive, but the drivetrain features some clever thinking as well. 

Related: Our review of the new Hyundai Santa Fe discovers a vehicle of considerable grace, style and practicality.

 

1. New AWD system and 8-speed automatic gearbox

As fitted to all Santa Fes in our market, an 8-speed automatic transmission isn’t exactly unusual these days, but this new gearbox nonetheless brings some notable improvements compared to the old 6-speed unit. While the power unit is still the same 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel with 142 kW and 440 Nm, the extra gears enable a wider ratio spread for snappier take-offs and a 4% fuel consumption reduction.

Of greater interest is the new “HTRAC” all-wheel drive system with wheel-selective torque control and various operating modes. In Economy mode, it functions as a pure FWD system to cut driveline losses, in Comfort mode it can send up to 35% of the torque to the rear axle in the interest of stability, and in Sport mode up to 50% can go to the rear for improved acceleration. 

Related: 7 Extras you should fit to the new Hyundai Santa Fe.

 

2. Safety Exit Assist

Here’s a safety feature you’ve probably never considered before, with the Santa Fe one of the earliest adopters of this new technology. Seeing as modern cars are festooned with cameras and proximity sensors anyway, Hyundai decided to combine them in an innovative manner to provide added safety in a family-use scenario.

In short, the system works like this: if the car detects (via an ultrasonic motion sensor in the rear seating area) that an occupant moves to open a door, it consults the radar sensors to determine if there’s any traffic approaching from the rear. If the car detects an approaching hazard, it disables the relevant rear door latch, and even overrides the driver-operated remote rear child lock to keep said rear-seat occupant safely in the vehicle until the danger has passed. 

Related: Find out more details about the Hyundai Santa Fe range in our first drive report.

 

3. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist

Another element in Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite, this nifty feature expands on the functionality of the rear cross-traffic warning system. Instead of merely sounding an alarm when it detects vehicles approaching from the sides while reversing, the avoidance assistant (a first in the industry) will automatically apply the brakes if it notices that the driver ignores the audible- and visual warnings. 

Related: Top 5 safety features in the new Hyundai Santa Fe.

These are only three of the most notable innovations in the new Hyundai Santa Fe, and move its safety game ahead of the rest of the pack. It’s great to see such technology introduced in a (fairly) affordable vehicle. Combined with the Santa Fe’s other, more-mainstream-but-excellent-anyway safety credentials, this is just about as safe as you’ll be able to keep your family on our roads.

 

Recommended Next:

Shop for new and used Hyundai Santa Fe cars for sale.