Aussie spec 2013 useless tow capacity

[fester2au]

Hey guys forgive me if this has been covered but I didn't find any comments in my first search. Just want to bring it up in case Hyundai execs actually troll the forums.

Was keen to sign up for a 2013 Santa Fe, upgrading from our ix35 which has been great. However we find out here in Australia at least that Hyundai have downgraded the towing ball weight from 150kg to 100kg. What is the point of a 2000kg towing capacity if the ball weight is a pathetic 100kg. Given the industry "norm" for ball weights to be about 10% of weight then in reality the new Santa Fe can tow nothing more than a glorified box trailer.

It certainly can't even tow our Jayco camper which only weighs in at 1200kg but a ball weight of 135kg. Plenty of Holden Captivas, and Nissan Dualis' etc tow these.

Mr Hyundai if you don't revise the rating it looks like our relationship with your marque starts and ends with the ix35.

Aussie owners lets start a dissatisfaction petition in the hope they pay attention.

[Ruperts Trooper]

Hyundai towing limits and noseweight limits are set by the local country importer/manufacturer, not by Hyundai globally.

On the 2006-2012 Santa Fe, then Australia had the highest towing limits (about 2x the North American limit) and the highest noseweight limits (about 2x the European limit) - this was due to local marketing requirements where North America and Australia need 10% noseweight limit but Europe only needs 4%.

The 2013 Santa Fe has retained the discrepancy on towing weights between North America and Australia/Europe but it seems that Australia have lost out on noseweights.

What you need to organise is mass complaints to Hyundai Australia - they can change it and will if marketing pressures warrant it.

[fester2au]

Originally Posted by Ruperts Trooper

Hyundai towing limits and noseweight limits are set by the local country importer/manufacturer, not by Hyundai globally.

On the 2006-2012 Santa Fe, then Australia had the highest towing limits (about 2x the North American limit) and the highest noseweight limits (about 2x the European limit) - this was due to local marketing requirements where North America and Australia need 10% noseweight limit but Europe only needs 4%.

The 2013 Santa Fe has retained the discrepancy on towing weights between North America and Australia/Europe but it seems that Australia have lost out on noseweights.

What you need to organise is mass complaints to Hyundai Australia - they can change it and will if marketing pressures warrant it.

That's why I mentioned it here, hopefully others will follow suit and also hoping Hyundai Australia reads the forums. They would be one of few manufacturers that didn't if they don't. I've voiced my complaint and have told the local dealer to ring me as soon as they get it changed. Here's hoping.

We had a reverse issue here with 80 Series Landcruisers. Up till 1995 they had a tow limit of about 2000kg but in 96 it changed to 3000kg yet there was no change to the vehicle at all. It was in response to Discovery and others better rating and market impact. Certainly upset many prior 96 owners as Toyota would not retro classify the older ones, a big bugbear in the towing market given the volume of pre 96 models on the market.

[ttc]

I can't even put a towbar on my diesel accent, and it has the similar motor to the i30

[Ruperts Trooper]

For Europe, Hyundai simply used to calculate the maximum noseweight as 4% of towing limit - now the automatic transmission version can only tow 2000kg compared to the manual's 2500kg - so perversely Hyundai in Europe restrict the 2006-2012 automatic's noseweight to 80kg despite the rear suspension being identical with the manual which can take 100kg.

Fortunately they've seen the light with the 2013 as both versions are 100kg - which is fine in Europe as caravan A-frame limits are mostly 100kg.

It might be worth highlighting the issue on the Australia4wd website Santa Fe Owners - Australia4WD Forum