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FireFlyz | 67
and foam-filled body pillars just to name a
few. These work together to isolate noise
from the cabin. In fact, it’s difficult to tell
you’re in a diesel-powered vehicle when
seated inside.
The panoramic sunroof increases the
upmarket stake and brightens the room.
However, it didn’t quite improve the tone
of the brown nappa leather seats. The rest
of the interior though is fairly comfortable
to touch and look at. Storage is adequate
with enough cubbies around. And even
though a third rear passenger means not
using the cupholders in the center armrest,
the door pockets will take a bottle or can
with ease.
Access to the third row seats is courtesy
of the sliding second row. But due to
the shape of the door frame, access to
the rear feels a little tight. A second row
that tumbles forward might afford better
accessibility. Even the small rear glass
panel doesn’t helpwith the claustrophobic
feel. But as a consolation, every row has
its own air vents.
Cargo space is a generous 534 liters, but
that expectedly shrinks with the use of the
third row seats. Nevertheless, there’s still
room in the back for a weekend excursion
for seven, as long as you don’t overpack.
Another 51 liters of storage can be found
under the trunk floor for knick knacks.
While the new Santa Fe has merits
with its new-found swank, some of the
old magic which made the previous one
adorable has been glossed over. However,
there aren’t many seven-seater SUVs that
are as powerful, practical or refined as this
so invariably it’s one of the best at what
it’s supposed to be, if not the best.
spin in slippery conditions and hill-start
assist.
Also new to the Santa Fe is the Flex Steer
which comes with three electronically
pre-set steering modes – Comfort, Normal
and Sport. Sport gives themost weightage,
but still lacks in terms of road feel. Comfort
is great for town use or if you have nary
a muscle to drive anything bigger than a
tricycle and Normal is a safe compromise.
INTERIOR
To suit its new luxurious look, the interior
has also been given a do-over. Additional
attention has been paid to noise insulation.
There is the double junction insulated
windshield glass that is thicker, but lighter
and clearer. There’s also thicker glass for
the front windows, higher density hood
insulation materials, polyurethane fender
insulation, transmission tunnel insulation
overall experience. Now that it sits lower,
it feels more planted and rolls less in
the corners. But over bumps, it feels a
little unsettled; a small sacrifice for ride
comfort. The active all-wheel drive system
is constantly varying power between
the front and rear wheels according to
road conditions so that the drive and
performance is always at the optimum.
The Santa Fe includes an electronic
stability program and vehicle stability
management to keep this colossus from
sliding around too much. There’s also a
traction control system to control wheel
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
2,199cc RCRDi common rail direct
injection; variable geometry turbo
OUTPUT
197PS@3,800rpm; 436Nm@
0– 1,800-2,500rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed automatic; all-wheel
drive
BRAKESANDSUSPENSION
Ventilated discs (front); solid discs
(rear); MacPherson struts (front);
multi-link (rear); ABS; BA; Hill Start
Assist; Downhill Brake Control;
ESP; Traction Control; Vehicle
StabilityManagement
TYRE SIZE
235/55 R19
WHEELBASE (mm)
2,700
DIMENSIONS (mm)
4,690 (L) x 1,880 (W) x 1,680(H)
KERBWEIGHT (kg)
1,723
FUEL TANK (l)
64
PRICE (On the roadwith
insurance)
RM189,903.30