Hyundai Santa Fe 2018 pricing and spec confirmed

Hyundai Australia is aiming to appeal to families with its new Santa Fe, with a bigger and more comfortable seven-seat SUV that the company hopes will reach 1000 sales a month, almost double the outgoing model's sales.

Priced from $43,000 plus on-road costs, the emphasis on family starts with a bigger cabin and more convenience features, but high on the list is a raft of sophisticated safety gear including standard autonomous emergency braking (AEB) on all variants, along with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert systems.

Hyundai is offering the three Santa Fe variants from launch – Active, Elite and Highlander – but it has slimmed down the drivetrain choices.

The front-wheel-drive petrol V6 variant is gone, with all new models offering all-wheel drive and a choice of two engines – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol and 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel – with six-speed and eight-speed automatic transmissions respectively.

Hyundai is offering the three Santa Fe variants from launch – Active, Elite and Highlander. (Active pictured)

Hyundai Australia chief executive JW Lee said other drivetrain choices were also being discussed with the Korean factory. He indicated that the V6 petrol – which was a popular choice in previous generations of the SUV – could be included, as could Hyundai's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine used in other models such as the Sonata sedan.

The range now opens with the $43,000 Active with six-speed automatic and 138kW/241Nm 2.4-litre engine that Hyundai claims will average 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The diesel engine is a $3000 option.

Standard features include the extensive safety list, plus 7.0-inch monitor with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 17-inch alloy wheels and walk-in switch for easy access to the third seat row.

Compared with the outgoing model, the new SUV is 70mm longer at 4770mm, while the wheelbase is up 65mm to 2765mm. (Highlander pictured)

The mid-spec Elite includes satellite navigation and 8.0-inch screen, a 10-speaker premium audio, leather upholstery, electric front seats, electric tailgate and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Elite is priced at $54,000, and is only available with the diesel engine. The same powerplant is also the sole option for the flagship Highlander that costs $60,500.

Additional features of the Highlander include a surround camera, head-up display, dual-pane sunroof with slide and tilt functions, heated and vented front seats, LED headlights, premium Auto Link integration for the owner's smart phone, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Externally the new, fourth-generation Santa Fe carries a whole new look, with split lighting, Hyundai's new 'cascading grille' design, and 'flag' style exterior mirrors.

Compared with the outgoing model, the new SUV is 70mm longer at 4770mm, while the wheelbase is up 65mm to 2765mm.

The Elite is priced at ,000, and is only available with the diesel engine.

Luggage space is boosted by the second row seat base that slides through 300mm, while the rear floor tunnel is lower by 27mm to only 26mm to allow extra space for the legs of the centre rear occupant.

Cargo room is 130 litres with all seats rows up, 547 litres with the third row folded down (previously 516 litres), and 1625 litres with the second and third seats folded (previously 1615 litres).

There is also more headroom, better visibility through bigger glass areas, and easier access because of handles and more versatile seat adjustment.

There is now more headroom, better visibility through bigger glass areas, and more versatile seat adjustment.

Under the skin the Santa Fe now features a rack-mounted electric-motor assisted steering system – previously it was a column-mounted motor – and Hyundai's HTRAC on-demand all-wheel-drive system that has variable torque control.

The control has three drive modes: Sport (up to 50 per cent of engine torque to the rear wheels for improved acceleration), Comfort (up to 35 per cent to the rear) and Eco (front-wheel drive).

Suspension and steering were tuned in Australia in conjunction with suppliers.

Hyundai said the body has 15 per cent more high-strength steel than the outgoing model and this has resulted in a 14 per cent increase in body strength and 14 per cent increase in torsional stiffness.

All Hyundai models are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, 12 months' roadside assistance and a lifetime service plan.

All new models offer all-wheel drive and a choice of two engines – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol and 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel.

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe list pricing

Hyundai Santa Fe Active Petrol – automatic – $43,000
Hyundai Santa Fe Active Diesel – automatic – $46,000
Hyundai Santa Fe Elite Diesel – automatic – $54,000
Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander Diesel – automatic – $60,500

Check out all 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe price and spec info here.

Is the bold new Santa Fe more appealing than the model it replaces? Tell us what you think in the comments below.