Priced from $53,000 plus on-road costs, the 2.5T badged model is available across the grade walk (Santa Fe, Elite, and Calligraphy), and with the choice of two- and all-wheel drive (full pricing details available below).
The G4KP-series powerplant delivers 206kW at 5800rpm and 422Nm from 1700-4000rpm – a 6kW and 91Nm uptick on the previous generation’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol.
The 2.5T offering is paired exclusively with an eight-speed (wet) dual-clutch transmission (whereas the Hybrid features a six-speed epicyclic automatic).
Hyundai has tuned the Santa Fe 2.5T range to operate safely on 91 RON regular unleaded petrol, reducing operating costs for Australian buyers.
The model features a 72-litre fuel tank and consumes claimed 9.3 litres per 100km on the Combined cycle. CO2 emissions are listed at 212 grams per kilometre.
While unchanged dimensionally from the Hybrid range, the 2.5T offering is considerably lighter, tipping the scale from 1835kg – or 90kg less than the petrol-electric entrant.
Importantly, braked towing capacity rises 400kg to 2000kg. The 2.5T variant also offers larger diameter front brake rotors, up 20mm to 345mm.
The turning circle of the Santa Fe 2.5T is unchanged at 11.6m, assisted once more by an electrically assisted arrangement.
The Large segment SUV rides on a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels (with full-size spare) across the range.
All equipment offerings are unchanged, including Hyundai’s generous list of standard safety technologies.
The Santa Fe offers four ISOFIX and five top-tether child seat anchor points across the second and third rows.
Optionally, the Santa Fe range remains available with a six-seat configuration on Calligraphy variants ($500), premium paint ($695), matte premium paint ($1000), and three optional interior colours – Supersonic Grey, Forest Green, or Pecan Brown ($295).
The Hyundai Santa Fe currently ranks in seventh place within the SUV Large under $80K segment with year-to-date sales of 4957 units (or 4.4 segment share points).
It is topped by body-on-frame rivals including the Ford Everest (24,018 units and 21.2 per cent), Isuzu MU-X (16,790 units and 14.8 per cent), Toyota LandCruiser Prado (7115 units and 6.3 per cent), and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (6792 units and 6.0 per cent), and monocoque offerings including the Subaru Outback (9591 units and 8.5 per cent) and related Kia Sorento (9093 units and 8.0 per cent).
The Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T will be in dealerships within the coming weeks.
