Hyundai Santa Fe has been the number one selling midsize SUV in New Zealand since it entered the market back in 2006. In the same year, it won the Energywise Rally, which is a four day event that shows motorists how they can slash their fuel bills by choosing a fuel-efficient car and driving it in a fuel efficient manner.

Most recently, a diesel powered Santa Fe, claimed the large lifestyle vehicle class in the AA Energywise economy rally returning an outstanding fuel economy average of just 5.9 litres per 100km over the four day, 1641km trial to find New Zealands most cost effective vehicles to operate.

The 2.2 litre CRDi Santa Fe easily beat its factory fuel economy figure of 7.3L/100km and is outstanding for a vehicle with go anywhere four-wheel-drive abilities, seating for up to seven people and a towing capacity of 2000kgs (braked).

Hyundai officials have been thrilled with the result, especially because Santa Fe did better than some of the smaller cars from the classes below. The fact that Santa Fe is as cheap to run per kilometre as a medium sized sedan shows the ability of Hyundais world class diesel technology to power a much larger and usable vehicle yet still return outstanding fuel economy.

But the Santa Fe wasnt the sole Hyundai contender in the event. It was joined by six other vehicles from the range, all powered by diesel engine. As a matter of fact, Hyundai was the only car company to feature a car in every class of the rally.

All Hyundai vehicles that entered the rally also beat the proposed 2015 Government target of 170grams CO2 per KM. The Hyundai i30 hatch returned a truly frugal 4.1L/100km (108 g/KM), the medium sized Sonata 4.9L/100km (Sonata 130 g/KM) and the large luxury class Grandeur consumed just 6.1L/100km (161 g/KM). Hyundais entry-level car, the Getz, achieved 126 g/KM, while Tucson and Santa Fe achieved 151 and 157 gm/KM respectively.

Source: Hyundai Blog

For decades, the Koreans have wandered in the desert of the automobile industry, searching for the vehicle that would propel them into becoming a major player in the global car market. For the longest time, they have pursued their automotive oasis built on their perseverance and hard work. Still, it hardly translated into Japanese-like quality, resulting in a stigma that wasn’t easy to shake off.

Finally, the skills they have learned from their mistakes are beginning to show. Not only have they created a good vehicle, they’ve actually created a desirable one. No longer content to play the reliability card, they want the full house of customer aspiration, a hand usually dealt to the Japanese big boys and the German marques. And judging by the Santa Fe, it looks like the Koreans now have the upper hand.

Okay, enough with the introduction. Normally, a proper review would have the conclusion and the recommendation at the end. But we’ll make an exception this time. Bottom line is we love it. If you have a million-and-a-half pesos and you’re looking for a car, don’t bother calling Botchi Santos for a “Wrong Car, Right Car” assessment. Just head over to the nearest Hyundai dealer and get one of the sweetest SUVs on sale right now.

Our unit comes in what looks like metallic maroon, but according to Hyundai, the color is Superior Red. The Santa Fe is handsome, muscular and proportionate. Its stance is SUV-macho, yet not hardcore testosterone-y. This car is calculated to appeal to the growing fun, fearless female demographic as well. A wise move by Hyundai.

There’s the big grille, the sleek, swept-back headlights, the flush fog lamps, twin exhausts, a bulging feature line snaking its way across the sides. All these little details come together and succeed in making the Santa Fe one of the most visually arresting SUVs to come in recent years not just from Hyundai, but from any carmaker.

Sometimes, a good-looking car is let down by its interiors. No matter how impressed the people are outside ogling its appearance, it has to please its master first. Not just through a handsome interior, but a very functional one. On these two counts, the Santa Fe passes with flying colors.

Leather seating is nothing new in today’s market. Even the SUV sales champ, the Toyota Fortuner, now sports leather seats. Interesting timing, too: The Fortuner’s leather seats came just a few months after the Santa Fe had been launched. Even Toyota must be somewhat threatened.

Instead of the usual beige, the Hyundai’s leather upholstery is black with red piping. It gives off a very racy and sleek look.

The sound system is also topnotch, more than enough for most people. It’s an OEM integrated system with an MP3-capable CD and cassette player (we wonder who still uses these) that pumps out driving music through six speakers. According to Hyundai, another reason for the good sound is the internal amplifier, a very rare feature in a stock vehicle.

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Source: Top Gear

I got my Santa Fe last Dec. 24, 2008, just in time for our Christmas vacation. It was kinda rush but everything went well in the end. Originally, I was originally planning to get the Mitsubishi Montero but after 3 months of waiting, I decided to get the Santa Fe. Not that the Hyundai Santa Fe is my second choice, but because I’m worried about Korean brands. Well, I was wrong - Hyundai is a great brand.

We’re going to Bicol on the 26th to visit my hometown and family.

Here’s some pics of the stock unit: