Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has opened the order books for the facelifted fourth-generation Santa Fe in Malaysia.
The new Tucson’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design is a striking departure from the previous generation, featuring head-turning elements including daytime running lights concealed within a Parametric Jewel grille, full-width tail lamps, angular wheel arches and complex, chiselled surfaces.
The modern yet cosseting wrap-around interior features a button-less centre stack under an eight-inch infotainment touch-screen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and voice recognition.
Fully imported (CBU) from South Korea, the Tucson comes in three variants, all of them front-wheel drive: 2.0 Lite, 1.6T Plus and 1.6T Max. The 2.0 Lite’s Smartstream MPI engine produces 156 PS and 192 Nm of torque, and is paired with a six-speed automatic, whereas the other two variants combine a turbocharged Smartstream 1.6 TGDi engine that develops 180 PS and 265 Nm of torque with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that features push-button gear selection.
Regardless of variant, the Tucson gets seven airbags including a front-thorax airbag, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, Blind Spot Collision Warning and Safe Exit Warning. The range-topping 1.6T Max exclusively enjoys eight-way powered and heated/ventilated driver and front passenger seats, a fully digital 10.25-inch instrument panel, a power tailgate, auto wipers, wireless phone charging and a full Hyundai SmartSense safety suite including Smart Cruise Control.
Available colours are Amazon Gray Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl, Creamy White Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl and Silky Bronze Metallic, with the last two not offered on the 2.0 Lite.
“The Tucson is Hyundai’s entrant in the important C-SUV segment, and it is a strong one. With distinctive looks, up-to-date technology and a decidedly upmarket focus, this five-seater is a sophisticated tool for the urban jungle of today and tomorrow, and one that you will enjoy driving on your own as much as with your small family in tow,” said Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.
If five seats are not enough, there is the larger Santa Fe. Locally assembled at Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd’s (Inokom) Kulim, Kedah facility, the new seven-seater SUV boasts significant upgrades over the original fourth-generation model, the most prominent being a new platform, making a hybrid variant possible.
Three variants are now open for booking in the Malaysian market – Hybrid Plus, Hybrid Max and Diesel Max. The Hybrid variants are powered by a combination of a 1.6 litre T-GDI petrol engine developing 180 PS and 265 Nm of torque, and a 44.2 kW electric motor, giving a total system output of 230 PS and 350 Nm of torque. Drive goes to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Diesel Max variant’s 2.2 litre CRDi diesel engine sends 193 PS and 440 Nm of torque to all four wheels through Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed wet DCT.
The three variants are considerably similarly-equipped – standard across the range are six airbags, the full Hyundai SmartSense safety suite including Smart Cruise Control, an eight-inch touch-screen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and voice recognition, auto wipers and wireless phone charging.
The Hybrid Max and Diesel Max share leather seats, a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel and a power tailgate, while the range-topping Hybrid Max exclusively gets heated/ventilated driver and front passenger seats, and driver’s seat memory. Available colours are Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black, Meteor Grey and Stormy Sea.
“From the unique T-shaped daytime running lights to the push-button gear selector and the elevated centre console, the Santa Fe has adopted a new level of class, comfort and prestige in all the areas that matter. There is abundant space for up to seven to fully enjoy the journey and the myriad technologies on offer.
