Hyundai Australia is adding a new variant to the Santa Fe range, called the Active X. It features the keep-for-special-editions-only V6 petrol engine.
The seven-seat Santa Fe is primarily available with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 147kW and 440Nm, and a 2.4 petrol developing 138kW and 241Nm. However, every now and then the company launches a 3.3-litre V6 petrol option to spice up the range.
Those familiar with Hyundai and Kia will recognise the engine as the unit that powers the Santa Fe’s sister car, the Kia Sorento. It produces 199kW and 318Nm in the Hyundai, matched to a six-speed auto with front-wheel drive. The V6 offers an official fuel consumption average of 10.5L/100km.
As for the Active X specifically, it sits above the base model Active but brings in some sporty features and bonus equipment. On the outside there’s some dark grey 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 tyres, chrome door handles, tinted windows, and heated side mirrors.
The Active X also comes standard with auto wipers, a part-leather interior with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, tyre pressure monitoring, glovebox cooling, and a 7.0-inch touch-screen interface packing in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Based on the Series II Santa Fe, the Active X is excellent value for money in the range and in the seven-seat SUV market segment in general. Prices start at a very reasonable $40,990 (excluding on-rad costs). Standard highlights include the following:
- 3.3L MPi V6 with 199kW (at 6400rpm) and 318Nm (at 5300rpm)
- Six-speed Hyundai automatic transmission, Front-wheel-drive
- 19-inch alloy wheels in dark grey finish twin 5-spoke design with 235/55R19 tyres
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- 5-star ANCAP –safety rating
- 7 airbags – driver and front passenger, front side (thorax), side curtains (1st and 2nd row), and driver’s knee
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
- Brake Assist System (BAS)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Downhill Brake Control (DBC)
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
- Rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines
- Rear parking-assist system (4 sensors) with guidance
- Projector-beam headlights with escort and welcome function
- Automatic dusk-sensing headlights
- LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
- LED high-mount stop light
- LED front positioning lights
- Front and rear fog lights
- 7-inch touchscreen audio with 6 speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
- AUX/USB audio input with digital iPod compatibility
- Bluetooth connectivity (hands-free phone and audio streaming)
- Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
- 3.5-inch mono TFT-LCD centre display in instrument cluster
- Premium steering wheel and gearknob
- Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls
- One-touch turn signal operation (3, 5, or 7 flashes)
- Trip computer with digital speedometer
- Roof rails
- Cargo cover and cargo net
- Leather-appointed seats
- Three stage heated front seats
- Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning
- Glovebox compartment with cooling
- Separate air-conditioning for 3rd row seating
- Electric heated side mirrors
- Solar front door and windscreen glass with rear Privacy glass
- Chrome exterior door handles
