Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 vs Kia EV9

Box-shaped cars never go out of style even in the age of the new normal and Hyundai has decided to think outside the box with their all-new, fifth-generation Santa Fe which is now, you guessed it, a boxy crossover.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

Starting at 35,460,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe is no longer the Santa Fe that millennials remembered because it went through a radically different approach but it promises to behave like most crossovers should. So, what's it all about the Santa Fe MX5?

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

Ditching the sleek silhouettes of its predecessors, the Santa Fe MX5 features a boxy shape that can be awkwardly mistaken for either a Range Rover or a Ford Flex. Either way, Roblox jokes aside, it's not just limited to its cube looks because the headlamps, the front bumper, and the rear lamps are marked with the letter H because...it's Hyundai's kind of fetish.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe interior

If you had enough of staring at its Roblox-ish looks, take a look at the interior. Thanks to its squarish design, it's roomier compared to its TM predecessor although the dashboard feels like it's straight out of Grandeur because of the Grandeur-sourced steering wheel and the gear lever positioned behind it. It now boasts a long monitor where the first half is for the instrumental panel while the second half is for the touchscreen. Minimalism aside, there are knobs for the radio and the aircon, which are rather useful indeed. In expensive variants, you can wirelessly charge up to two smartphones just in case as well as the digital key feature where you will let your gadgets do the unlocking, the digital rearview mirror, and the rather controversial fingerprint authentication system.

Although it only has room for six to seven passengers, depending on the variant, the Santa Fe MX5 is roomier than its TM predecessor. Boot space is decent for a boxy SUV like this, making it more than enough to flex its daily conveniences as an all-rounder.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

Believe it or not, the Santa Fe MX5 runs on the same bits and bobs as the Kia Sorento MQ4, meaning it behaves just like its compatriot. Although a lot different to drive compared to its predecessor, the HTRAC all-wheel-drive system with rough road driving modes made it capable through tarmac, gravel, and snow, good enough for a weekend picnic at Hannibal's. Dynamics aside, the available Alcon monobloc brakes deliver a dramatic braking feel unheard of in a Korean SUV.

Because the Santa Fe MX5 is built for the new normal, there is no diesel powertrain offered. Only a choice of a 1.6L turbo-hybrid powertrain with a total power output of 235PS mated to a 6-speed AT, and a powerful Smartstream G2.5T-GDi mated to an 8-speed AT, producing 281PS of power and a combined 10.1km/L of fuel economy. 

The Santa Fe MX5 marks the first time a Hyundai vehicle has a hybrid variant mated with the all-wheel-drive system. That's something that should have been done a long time ago.

Back to the new normal, the Santa Fe MX5 features an improved Hyundai SmartSense with Highway Driving Assist 2, navigation-based smart cruise control, blind spot collision avoidance assist, forward collision avoidance assist, rear parking collision avoidance assist, and Lane Keeping Assist 2. Coupled with the multiple anti-collision automatic braking systems, advanced rear passenger notification, reverse guiding lamp, and 10 airbags, it really is the safest Santa Fe ever made.

The fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is no longer the Santa Fe that millennials remembered because of its Roblox-ish exterior design that intrigues insiders everywhere but with its spacious interior, turbocharged performance, HTRAC, and tech, it has progressed into utilitarian status. It truly is innovation in motion for the new model.

However, if you're unhappy about the Santa Fe MX5's squarish looks and because this is the new normal, here comes the more expensive alternative that makes the all-new Santa Fe look like Oxford, the Korean Lego of course.

2024 Kia EV9

This is the first-ever Kia EV9 electric full-size crossover SUV. With prices starting at 77,280,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, it is the most expensive in the Kia SUV lineup, although it's less expensive than the BMW iX3, a meager bargain of the season.

2024 Kia EV9

With styling that stays true to its concept car roots, the EV9 signals a new design approach for Kia recreational vehicles in the future, meaning the styling will heavily influence the fate of upcoming people movers from the said brand. Apart from its Mohave-sized proportions and the side view reminiscent of the Infiniti QX80, the EV9 has a surprising show-off feature when you switch the front lights on as the hidden parts lurking around the grille-less front view light up like a Rina-chan board. Get it?

2024 Kia EV9 interior

Although the exterior design has some cyber vibes to it, the interior is all about first-class comfort in every way. On the driver's side, you will be greeted with the steering wheel emblem lighting, a column-type shift lever positioned behind the wheel, a panoramic wide display where the first half is for the instrumental panel while the second half is for the touchscreen, dual color ambient lighting, and the available Meridian Premium Sound System. The GT-Line variant adds digital side mirrors, a digital rearview mirror, and a hidden touch button on the console, among others.

Inside, the full-sized EV9 can accommodate six or seven passengers and has decent boot space not bad for a full-size electric SUV but the six-seater variant has a party piece no luxury people mover has, not even today's Toyota Alphard; swiveling second-row seats. When coupled with the Lounge Package, you get yourself a luxury cruiser fit for taking high-rollers from Seoul to Busan.

2024 Kia EV9

Speaking of Seoul to Busan, the electric powertrain is capable of up to 501km of range for rear-wheel-drive variants while 4WD variants, especially the GT-Line, are good for around 454km, but driving conditions can vary. Running on a 100kWh Li-ion battery pack and the Electric Global Modular platform, rear-wheel-drive variants produce 150kw of power while 4WD variants produce a powerful 283kw of power. That's 385PS to you and me.

Although the driving feel is nothing compared to the Mohave or today's Santa Fe mentioned above, the EV9, even in 4WD GT-Line guise, feels like driving a Toyota Alphard in different directions and because of its electric drivetrain, it's surprisingly quiet as well. It even packs a wide array of safety features such as high beam assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, navigation-based smart cruise control, Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist 2, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, among others.

Which would you go for? The Roblox-esque Hyundai Santa Fe MX5 or the heavyweight ultra-luxurious Kia EV9 with a front view that makes the Rina-chan board look like...Tobot Big Boss? It's an interesting question because even though they behave differently, they look futuristic in every way but in every way, it's hard to pick the definitive winner in this round of Unanswered Questions. Only time will tell.

Photo: Hyundai/Kia

Hyundai Santa Fe TM - 2021 minor change

Two years ago, the Hyundai Santa Fe reached its fourth generation and it promised to be a better-looking and more functional Santa Fe than ever before. As the year 2020 marked Santa Fe's 20th anniversary since the first one, the current-generation Santa Fe gained a big minor change and it promises to be the best Santa Fe to cut the rest, although unsure about the big news this recent minor change offered.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

Starting at 31,220,000 Korean Won (around $26,000), the reasonably-priced Santa Fe TM big minor change promises to be the best Santa Fe to date because even though it's basically a facelift, the revised model now sites on the new third-generation vehicle platform first seen on the Kia Sorento MQ4, meaning it's getting better to drive than the old one.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

But first, let's take a look at the new design, and although still a fourth-generation model, this big minor change really made a statement because of its massive front grille that is downright terrifying for a family mover and because the headlamps are positioned above the grille, you'd get the expression of Big Bertha coming to eat you. Not only the Big Bertha look made the big minor change scary to look at but it makes your skin crawl.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe interior

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe interior

The interior's heavily revised on the big minor change and it now mimics like the one you saw on the Palisade, meaning there are now buttons in place of a gear lever, a new 10.25-inch AVN touchscreen, digital instrumental cluster, and this new feature that I'm going to mention it later. Anyway, while most cast doubts about the new interior design, it's still as comfortable and as spacious as the pre-facelifted model and you can have up to seven people on board, as long as no one's ruining the most important thing of the family mover; the sweet spot.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

Like the latest Kia Sorento MQ4, the Santa Fe TM big minor change is offered only with the brand-new Smartstream D2.2 engine which produces 202PS of power and 45kgf-m of torque. Mated to a brand new Smartstream 8-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox, it delivers a combined fuel economy of about 14.2km/L. That's not bad but that's just the start because while on talks about the new platform, the Santa Fe is surprisingly aerodynamic, more quieter, more rigid and better to drive the pre-facelift model.

For HTRAC models, the Santa Fe comes with a brand new Terrain Mode selector as seen on the Palisade. This feature allows the driver to switch through different drive modes as well as taking on Mud, Snow, and Sand, making it a good car to tackle the dirt and more than enough to play elephant at Hannibal's, although unwise to take it cross-country like most wannabe SUVs don't. As for safety, the Santa Fe comes with Hyundai SmartSense suite of driving aids but that's all TMI I can give today.

Although unhappy with the Big Bertha-esque looks, the diesel-only offering, and the tech-laden dashboard unfriendly for speedo boys in the rough, the facelifted Santa Fe is free to stretch itself with its new platform and spacious interior fit for today's families. We may be living in the new normal but the Santa Fe truly fits rather well at this moment in time and as the nameplate celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, this is the big bottom line that makes Santa Fe THE Santa Fe.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe (TM)

Hyundai's midsize crossover, the Santa Fe, is now on its fourth-generation and for this generation, it promises to be a better-looking and more functional Santa Fe than ever before and looks like they're feeling a little tense over this full model change.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

So, fourth-generation Santa Fe, huh? By the glance of its new shape, you can really tell judging from its Kona-styled nose, side view inspired from the Infiniti QX80, and the rear view copied from the Lexus NX. It's all about the things that are right balanced with the things that are wrong and in the subject of being a car with exquisite tastes, it's somewhat above average overall, but it's more than enough to swoon the crowd more than those not-for-Japan PPVs sold beyond the ASEAN market. Impressive though, but has the interior changed?

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe interior

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe interior

On the inside, it's starting to feel like every other Hyundai of today since the iONIQ but the new Santa Fe offers some nifty features like the instrumental panel styled like the upcoming Honda CR-V, sat-nav with song recognition courtesy of SoundHound, HUD, and smart power liftgate that automatically opens when you lift your foot up. In partial terms of comfort, get this; in the previous Santa Fe, getting through the third row seat is as squishy as becoming a Jill sandwich and when the second row seats are heavily occupied with child seats, Jill sandwich. There you go. In this new model, it's now bigger than the previous model and it has the same creature comforts of that certain seven-seater SUV your big sister used to drove. Yes, there's a third-row seat present and as long as it's not occupied with those heinous child seats, the second-row seats makes up a nice sweet spot but if they're here, off to the third row seats you go but surprisingly, you'll have slightly less chance of becoming, well you get the point, and there's room in the back for your grocery shopping or stuff from the thrift store.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

Of course, the dynamics are slightly improved compared to the last one but the engine choices remain the same as the previous model, meaning you're still greeted with either a 2.0L CRDi-VGT, a 2.2L CRDi-VGT, or a 2.0L T-GDi engine with 235PS of power and 36kg-m of torque, all mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and R-MDPS for questionable but effortless steering. For 4WD models, the Santa Fe comes with HTRAC AWD System that works rather well in either tarmac, gravel, and snow, but awkwardly, power transfers to the front wheels under normal conditions and when Sport mode's engaged, you have a lot of explanation to do. Speaking of safety, the Santa Fe comes with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of safety features as well as Hyundai's first Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.

If you're interested in the Santa Fe TM, you'd better book one now because the new model starts at 28,150,000 Korean Won and while this is a slight price bump compared to the previous model, looks like everyone's taking interest on the new Santa Fe right now, especially those pesky smugglers. To evaluate, while the Santa Fe's design is a yes and a no from the crowd, the interior space is now roomier enough to avoid the Jill sandwich scenario but with the second-row seats occupied by child seats, kiss your sweet spots goodbye. While the choice of engines sound reasonable for a family crossover, it's the HTRAC that will make you noticed because even if it makes you go anywhere, there's no point of getting away from your driving style that decides the fate of the new Santa Fe. The more you know.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe DM (2016 Facelift)

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

The current-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has been with us since its launch three years ago while facing a much steeper competition from its opposition. To keep the Santa Fe as fresh as the day is wide, a minor change has been implemented for the 2016 model year so...what's new with the latest minor change of the third-generation Santa Fe?

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

First and foremost, the exterior has some minor updates to differentiate it from its pre-facelifted model. First, you will see some improved HID headlamps, revised grille, slightly revised rear lamps, and a new front bumper that looks like it came from its little brother, the latest-generation Tucson.

The interior's slightly revised with a new instrumental panel, and for high-spec models, JBL Premium Surround System with 10 speakers. It's still available in either a 5-seater or a 7-seater, just to let you know.

Safety wise, the 2016MY Santa Fe comes with numerous safety features, be it same, updated, or new, such as Smart High Beam Assist, Dynamic Bending Light, Lane Departure Warning System, Smart Blind Spot Detection, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Around View Monitor, and Advanced Smart Parking Assist System.

It still comes with the same e-VGT R2.0 and e-VGT R2.2 diesel engines as usual. The 2.0l model produces 186PS of power, 41kg-m of torque, and 13.8km/L of combined fuel economy while the 2.2l model, on the other hand, produces a more powerful 202PS of power, 54kg-m of torque, and 13.4km/L of combined fuel economy, They're all EURO 6 compliant.

Prices start from 28,170,000 to 34,230,000 Korean Won.

Available colors: White Crystal, Creamy White, Mystic Beige, Chalk Beige, Sleek Sliver, Titanium Silver, Mineral Blue, Ocean Blue, Red Merlot, Tan Brown, and Phantom Black.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai Maxcruz

2013 Hyundai Maxcruz

Yes, most of you know that the third row seats of the current Santa Fe DM didn't quite fit but still most of you often want to have one of these. If the third-row seats on the Santa Fe DM were quite an issue, why not interest in this? Better known as the replacement to the Veracruz, which was discontinued last year, the brand new Hyundai Maxcruz is known to be the long wheelbase variant of the Santa Fe DM.

Yes really, it maybe the replacement of the Veracruz but the name, MAXCRUZ, is obviously weird. It's like it was named after someone named "Max Cruz". Yep, pun intended. Hyundai kinda gave it a person's name for the long wheelbase version of the Santa Fe DM.

2013 Hyundai Maxcruz interior

How does it compare it to the Santa Fe DM? On the outside view, the Maxcruz features a much more aggressive front face. In fact, the hexagonal grille now comes with four bars rather than three bars that the grille of the Santa Fe DM had. Then, the rear view of the Maxcruz is a bit more sophisticated than the Tucson-styled back that the Santa Fe DM had. Also, there has been a change in dimensions. The Maxcruz has an additional 100mm of wheelbase, 216mm long, and 11mm higher than the Santa Fe DM.

The Maxcruz also comes with an improved rigidity and an ultra-high strength tensile steel that improves collision energy management. Surprisingly, this ultra-high strength tensile steel reduces weight and also allows the suspension to work optimally. They were applied to those outer door panels for the first time in the company's history. Sounds interesting though...

2013 Hyundai Maxcruz interior

Shockingly though, the only engine available is the 16-valve e-VGT R2.2 engine which produces 200PS of power and 44.5 kg-m of torque while being mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. 2WD variants will have a fuel economy of 11.9km/L while 4WD variants will have a fuel economy of 11.3km/L.

Just like the Santa Fe DM, the Maxcruz has the Flex Steer feature that changes the behavior of the handling. It has three modes - Comfort, Normal, and Sport. They're ideal in varying driving preferences and road conditions. Uh, yeah, right. They were ideal but what about some practical stuff?

If you go for the more expensive version, there's this cool feature that parks by itself. With this feature, the Maxcruz will find the applicable parking area and when it detects, stop here, shift to reverse and watch it park by itself. You can even feel it while wearing a blindfold! Get it?

The Maxcruz also comes with BlueLink telematics system combines safety, service and infotainment features to simplify owners' lives and reduce distracted driving. You can even use your smartphone as a substitute car key to open the Maxcruz or then start the engine as you were far away from the Maxcruz. That beats the everyday hassle of starting the car. Interesting...Those Koreans sure know how to make a smart car with smart features for added convenience...

Available colors are: Cream White, Mystic Beige, Sleek Silver, Hyper Metallic, Glacier, Red Merlot, Hunter Green, Arabian Mocha, Ocean View, and Timeless Black.

So, there we are. The Maxcruz from Hyundai. It may have a person's name for the Santa Fe LWB, it maybe available only in 2.2L diesel engine, it maybe start at 35,000,000 Won, and it maybe somewhat known to be the Veracruz successor but this is somewhat a sizing fit for a politician. The Maxcruz really addressed the issue where the third-row seating from the Santa Fe DM seems unfit and that's pretty good for a full-size Korean crossover. Sadly though, I'm not kinda sold to this one...

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Outtakes: Hyundai Santa Fe 2013 Philippines?

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

OUTTAKE

Over the months, ever since the all new 2013 third-generation Santa Fe from Hyundai was launched in South Korea in April 2012, I've been battered by so many Filipinos inquiring that when will this new model be launched in the Philippines. I know, we've been tormenting for months now and yes, the torment continues by a bunch of die-hard Hyundai fans in the Philippines, asking about the 2013 Santa Fe's Philippine arrival.

No wonder why our article about the THIRD GENERATION HYUNDAI SANTA FE DM ended up for being one of the most read posts in this blog for a couple of weeks now. Other posts that made it to the top ten most read posts on my blog include the ending of Mara Clara, most read by Malaysians thinking how does this end. If you were a Malaysian watching Mara Clara, please back off about how it ends until the moment of truth. Remember what Doctor Who's River Song said...

Spoilers.

(laughing)

Anyway, back to the issue of the endless torment , to shut your K-Pop addict mouths, I've just heard that the official Facebbok page from Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (https://www.facebook.com/hyundaiph) said that they've already released the all new 2013 Santa Fe...quietly. Here's the message from the official Hyundai Philippines Facebook page...

Ladies and Gentlemen, finally it has arrived! Check out the All-new Hyundai Santa Fe in most Metro Manila Hyundai dealers today! For inquiries you may contact your preferred dealer, here's our locator to help you out: http://bit.ly/HARIDealerLocator 

For more information about the All-New Hyundai Santa Fe, check out the spec sheet through this link: http://bit.ly/AllnewSantaFe

Also informed that prices start at 1,768,000 Pesos for the 2.2 R e-VGT FWD model and 2,228,000 Pesos for the 2.2 R e-VGT 4WD model with added features such as sunroof, HID headlamps, automatic wipers, chrome door handles and a 'dark chrome' front grille.

Scoop: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/specifications-and-features-for-the-2013-hyundai-santa-fe.html

Happy now? Now get out of the way, Filipino Hyundai fans. Get out of the way...

OUTTAKE END

Third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe DM

In June 2000, there was the Hyundai Santa Fe and we saw it and we saw it was good. Then on November 2005, the Hyundai Santa Fe reached its second incarnation and this was the first Santa Fe to arrived in the Philippines. And now, in April 2012, the third incarnation of Hyundai's Santa Fe (현대 싼타페) has arrived and some say this is going to be the best of the best...

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

If you look closely to the exterior details of the new Hyundai Santa Fe, you'll notice that the front view is likely similar to the 4th generation Honda CR-V while the back looks more like the Hyundai Tucson iX. Despite that, the new look of the Santa Fe The Contrast (as the advertisers called it for the 3rd generation model) incorporates the STORM EDGE design concept, a step further to Hyundai's FLUIDIC SCULPTURE design DNA. With such design, that is really meant to be STRONG OUTSIDE.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe interior

If the new Santa Fe DM is STRONG OUTSIDE, it is SOFT INSIDE because the interior is much more premium than what you might expect to be. The aesthetics can't even be measured because it was well trimmed and much more preferable than its direct rivals such as the Kia Sorento R and the Chevrolet Captiva. This can accommodate up to seven passengers but to have the kids gain access to the third row seats, the 2nd row seats can be adjusted horizontally or folded for access but suddenly, the legroom for the third row seats just wasn't enough. Sorry Hyundai but you have to think better than that....

Other interior features you might find on the new Santa Fe may include 4.2-inch TFT-LCD color Super Vision cluster, Wide Panorama roof, Hi-Pass room mirror if you want to get your Hi-Pass in a hurry when approaching on a toll gate, climate control, and the new ACTUNE Premium Sound for some very moderate sound quality. Depending on the variant you might get an HDD navigation system or an audio system for something something. However, for the first time ever, the new Santa Fe comes with Korea's first BLUELINK telematics system.

What is BlueLink?

With Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system, you can navigate, connect and discover with the push of a button. This innovative feature sends and receives messages to keep you well connected at all times. Access BlueLink through a smartphone to find your points of interests, learn more about mechanical issues on your Santa Fe, call for help, and many others. Visit the BlueLink site at http://bluelink.hyundai.com/

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

The new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe offers an all-diesel lineup, which the Philippines will have a hard time getting these because both are Euro V (or soon Euro VI) compliant. Sorry but we can't get those, yet. Anyway, the first was the e-VGT R 2.2 engine that produces 200PS of power and 44.5kg-m of torque. Then, the e-VGT R 2.0 engine produces about 184PS of power and 41kg-m of torque.

For fuel economy, a new Santa Fe equipped with the e-VGT R 2.0 engine will provide 14.4km/L of fuel economy while the 4WD option will provide 13.0km/L. On the one with the e-VGT R 2.2 engine, this looks tricky because this model has a choice of either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission, whatever floats your boat. A Santa Fe with a e-VGT R 2.2 engine and 6AT will provide about 13.8km/L while the one with the 6AT and 4WD would lead this one with 12.4km/L of fuel economy. Now, for the one with R 2.2 diesel and 6MT, this will get up to 14.8km/L while the 4WD version will get up to 14.0km/L. Should be up to getting one of these...

This is getting interesting because the new Santa Fe has a feature derived from the latest Hyundai i30, which is called Flex Steer system that allows the driver to choose from three driving modes; Comfort, Normal, and Sport. The Comfort mode provides easy driving on normal roads, Normal mode for balance, and Sport mode to provide quicker handling on the corners of the earth. Notable features for the new Santa Fe includes Auto Cruise Control, SPAS (Smart Parking Assist System) that allows the car to park all by itself hands-free, Active ECO assist, Parking Guide System, Electronic Parking Brake, Lane Departure Warning System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and 7 airbags.

Available colors are: Creamy White, Sleek Silver, Titanium Silver, Mystic Beige, Beach sand, Arabian Mocha, Ocean View, Phantom Black.

My comment:




The contrast of the new, third-generation Santa Fe says it all; STRONG OUTSIDE, SOFT INSIDE. The STORM EDGE design concept really provides a stronger exterior design that gives the Fluidic design DNA one step ahead of the time while the interior is all about being premium for the average Korean driver. Because the new Santa Fe featured an all-diesel lineup, it's hard to say that the new Santa Fe DOESN'T WORK IN THE PHILIPPINES BECAUSE WE'RE A EURO 2 COMPLIANT COUNTRY. Sorry guys and don't you even think of smuggling this one because if cops caught you driving the 2013 Santa Fe in the Philippines, I;m afraid that they'll gonna ask you to step out and have it confiscated because you smuggled it without permission.

Those idiots...

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Are you the third-generation Santa Fe?

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe sketch

So, could that be the new, third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe? Some say, it could be it and some say it will be premiered a the New York Auto Show this April. This new model will have a Storm Edge concept, which further evolves the brand's fluidic sculpture philosophy.

So, would that be enough to batter the Sorento R and the Captiva?

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/10/2013-hyundai-santa-fe-previewed-on-twitter-ahead-of-ny-reveal/

Cha Seung-Won in a 2012MY Hyundai Santa Fe commercial

An automotive recall like a Korean drama... [UPDATE]

Check this scoop:

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-hyundai-santa-fe-and-2011-kia.html

Hyundai's Santa Fe:

and Kia's Sorento

Both of these Korean SUVs are a favorite among Philippine car enthusiasts because of the CRDi R eVGT diesel engine. It seems both of the Philippines' favorite crossovers are suffered from a major recall due to defective brakes!

Only the latest versions (built from September to November 2010) were affected by this said recall. Seems sad but this recall is much more of a Korean drama...

Hurry up and better get these two fixed! Owners, get these fixed at your dealers. I'm not sure if both the Philippine distributors of Hyundai (HARI) and Kia (Columbian) made an announcement about this recall...

Well, back to watch some Korean dramas...

Update: Turns out only those made in North America were affected by the recall. The ones we had were made from South Korea, so in other words, we're safe.

Hyundai Santa Fe: Second Generation-Phase II

Since late 2005, Hyundai Motor Company unveiled the second generation Santa Fe to please buyers with its dazzling new look and bold characteristics only a Korean SUV ever dreamed of...

Now this year, things are gonna act different because the second-generation Santa Fe gets a updated exterior and a whole new level of diesel engine that is different to Kia's Sorento R (the second-generation Sorento). Wanna find out the outer side of the face-lifted Santa Fe? Here's the rundown; a new aggressively designed grille, new front bumpers, newly redesigned rear lamps, new set of rims, and a new set of bright colors to choose from. Just how bright was that for a face-lift? For starters, you might classify this new version a mere fashionable crossover utility vehicle that suits your fashionista flavor.

Aside from the fashionable exterior, the face-lifted Santa Fe is rigged with the new E-VGT turbo diesel engine, which is available in 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre variants. For a quick rundown about these two R-diesel engines, here's what these two types describe. For power, pick the 2.2 e-VGT diesel variant because of it's power output of over 200hp. And for fuel efficiency, choose the 2.0 e-VGT diesel variant because of it's good fuel economy of 15.0km/L. That's quite comparative than the Kia Sorento because of such similarities.

DOES THIS LOOK MAKE ME LOOK NICE?
From the updated exterior all the way to the new set of turbo diesel engines, the new Santa Fe is quite a bright look to the no.1 Korean auto manufacturer that brings buyers the quality they can trust. As for that, I would recommend this SUV to anyone who has the need of diesel-powered SUVs.