2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Series II review | first drive

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the Hyundai Santa Fe with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.
Read Mal's full review here: carsgui.de/1kStZZW
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The Hyundai Santa Fe has been one of the best seven seat SUVs since the current generation arrived in 2012, but it's just been treated to a mid-life facelift to help it keep up with newer rivals like the Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder, plus the new Mazda CX-9 that's just around the corner.
The Santa Fe was already a very good looking thing, but it's scored a nose and tail job to bring it in line with the smaller Tucson's looks, that includes new headlights, bumper and grille, and new taillights at the rear.
All models get a bit of a tidy up on the inside too, with new materials and multimedia systems that brings the latest in voice activation tech with Siri Eyes Free for iPhone users, and Google now for Android users.
Like selected Tucson models, it's ready for Apple Carplay and Android Auto full integration, as soon as Apple gives Hyundai the tick of approval.
The biggest news with this latest update is the top-spec Highlander and SR variants now come with extra safety features like auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision and Blind-Spot alerts, Lane Change Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The Santa Fe is the first of its immediate rivals to offer AEB, so hopefully it will encourage the others to follow suit.
The interior may not be quite as roomy as a Kluger or Sorento, but there's plenty of clever details and the third row is fine for adults on short trips.
There's useful cargo space with all three rows of seats up, and everything folds flat to create a huge space.
Mechanically, the existing petrol and diesel engines have been tweaked for improved driveability.
We've only driven the automatic diesel for now, but it's still a strong and responsive drivetrain that's also nearly half a litre more efficient on the combined cycle.
The chassis has been slightly revised with new bushes and an extra link in the rear, and all versions have been tuned by Hyundai Australia engineers to suit our local roads.
The suspension is still softer than most of its competition, which makes for a bit more bodyroll, but it's probably the pick if you value comfort over outright handling.
The Hyundai Santa Fe isn't the freshest seven seat SUV on the market, but this update should keep it near the top of your list of options, and the top-spec models are now the segment leaders when it comes to active safety.

[@ianr5322]

I brought a black one Valentines Day 2020!

[@MaZEEZaM]

Im not sure how you can say that's flat, nowhere near flat cargo space :S

[@khalidalfadli3161]

hyundai lacking suv real body on frame

[@arshaqrazeen8465]

It's crossover not suv