2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Australian Review

Highlights

• "It [the new 6 speed auto transmission] is also a completely sealed unit, requiring no oil changes or any form of servicing. It’s designed to last for the life period of the vehicle."
• "A reverse camera is also embedded into the driver’s rear-view mirror on the high-spec variants."
• "Move up in the range and you won’t even need a traditional key with a push button start and proximity key included."
• "Two new interesting features found in the Santa Fe are the emergency brake system and rollover sensors. Hyundai says the Santa Fe’s computers will detect when the driver has suddenly applied lots of pressure to the brake pedals in an emergency situation and automatically apply maximum brake pressure. Not an all-new revolutionary idea but a great feature nonetheless. Roll-over sensors on the other hand are usually found in convertibles only, so it’s interesting that we find them in the Santa Fe. If the sensors detect an imminent roll-over, seat belt pretensioners will pull the passengers back into their seat and deploy side airbags."
• "The hardest question that I have to answer now is “should I buy the Kia or the Hyundai?”. Frankly it’s a hard question to answer. Hyundai has a far better established brand reputation and there is no doubt its hard earned efforts will mean more sales to its side of the Korean camp. It comes down to personal choice, I can only suggest you test drive both."

Notable features

• Coolbox
• Supervision cluster
• Push button smart key
• Rear parking camera
• Rain sensing wipers
• Electric folding mirrors

The local dealers here in central Arkansas are quoting MID FEBRUARY 2010 as the first date that the new 2010 Santa Fe's will be available. We had earlier been told it would be mid October of this year, then mid November. Quite disappointing to now hear of this really long delay!

Well, most of the articles I read back in June/July said late 2009 or early 2010 so February seems about right...

This may be a dumb question but do any of you think it would be possible to get the new supervision instrument cluster that's supposed to be on the '10 models for our Santa Fe's? I hate having to drive with my lights on all the time just so I can see the gauges clearly which has resulted in having to buy new side marker bulbs twice and a tailight bulb?

I really like the backlit gauges in my mom's Azera and I don't see why we don't have them?

[quote name='hanzuozuo1984' post='278970' date='Nov 17 2009, 02:52 AM'][url="http://www.gpsdvdplayer.com"]c
Car DVD GPS Player can play MP4/
oh dear- sounds like our old friend is attempting to drum up business again for car DVD players. Try advertising on the forum or at least honestly state your intentions, rather than pretending to be participant!

This post has been edited by wingas: Nov 17 2009, 03:12 PM

You need not worry about that anymore. He has been banished!

I drove by my local Hyundai dealership earlier today and was shocked to see a bunch of 2010 SF's in the lot. I had heard they wouldn't be in Canada until January. While the new grille will take some getting used to, it's a stunning vehicle.

Ouch - grill was painted the vehicle color as we'd all expected?

Unfortunately, yes. I'm hoping for a black version of the 2010 because it looks the best with the new grille. The other colours look a bit too sporty. I've attached two photos that I took today in the parking lot of the dealership.

However, the new tail lights are nice and I really like the new wheels.

This post has been edited by torontonian: Nov 25 2009, 01:35 PM

Hmmm....Those new taillights look like they got clear / amber turn signals.

Looks like they fixed the all red turn signal problem ?

Perhaps due to the potential incoming amber turn signal regulation for the USA/Canada? I know they were considering it although I didn't know if it was going through or not.

Edit: I merged this new topic with the existing 2010 facelift thread so things don't get out of control. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)

Ohhh nice... which dealership? I'm in the Toronto area and would love to take a drive by (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As I expected this doesn't look anywhere near as nice as the European version. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Missing the fancy grill, chrome roof rails, and signals in the mirrors... I wonder what the inside is like. Ask for a test drive and take some pics! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

This post has been edited by jaydee77ca: Nov 26 2009, 09:34 PM

It doesn't have the signals in the mirrors because the one in the picture is not the "limited"... You can tell by the door handle in the rear of the vehicle...It's not chrome.

Hi there,

I finally found a reliable info source on how the next year trims of SF will look like:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive...e&year=2010

Although G&M is a very reliable source in Canada but it doesn't say where they have obtained their info from.

Looking at the prices, they pretty much are in the same price range of the 09 models but it doesn't say if Hyundai will still give factory discounts or low-interest finance rates.

This post has been edited by MyTucson: Nov 27 2009, 06:12 PM

One Canadian dealer has a page for pricing it out:

http://www.dvnhyundai.com/build_and_price....cdn&lang=22

Why can't Hyundai just officially announce the details?!?

Thanks for the info.

Merged with the official '10 Santa Fe topic.

I converted the metric mileage numbers from your source (above) to U.S. numbers: 30.9/23.3 MPG for the V6 with FWD, and 30.5/22.4 MPG for the V6 with AWD. These numbers seem to be a huge improvement over the 2009 numbers (24/17 for both FWD and AWD). And this is with a bigger V6 (276 HP vs 242 HP from 2009). Could direct fuel injection and an extra gear in the transmission make that big a difference? Wow!

The disappointment for me is that apparently the top-line Limited is only offered in AWD in 2010, at least in Canada. Was that also the case for Canadian Limiteds in 2009? Here in the U.S., I believe the Limiteds could also be ordered with FWD which is my preference for Arkansas driving.

Yes, the 2009 Canada trim lineup was the same -- the top-line Limited was available in AWD only (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

This post has been edited by schrumby: Nov 28 2009, 06:31 AM

I guess that's because they're still trying to sell all the 2009s. I was at a dealership lot yesterday and they still had a few 3.3L and many 2.7s left. Their priority is to get rid of those before 2010 models hit the lots.