Hyundai’s latest upgrade of their large SUV the Santa Fe abounds with more comfort and safety features, more efficient drive trains, bigger screens and a few touches in styling.
But the feature on the top of the range Highlander model that we found most interesting was the Blind-Spot View Monitor.
If you turn on the left indicator, the left dial in front of the driver becomes a video coverage of the left blind spot and similar the right dial for a right hand turn or lane change.
Honda has had a similar feature for just left turns using the centre infotainment screen.
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The benefits seem obvious and the system is also in the Hyundai Palisade and some Genesis models. but you still need mirrors as the video images do not work unless you turn an indicator on nor if you are parking without the ignition on.
But it is a step in the right direction.
New 2021 Santa Fe is offered in four variants, each with a choice of two powertrains.
All-new SmartStream engines feature in the form of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four, available for each variant.
The turbo-diesel is paired with a new eight-speed twin-clutch DCT automatic to deliver an engaging and decisive driving experience along with a 19% improvement in fuel economy.
Refreshed styling is headlined by a wide cascading grille and stacked headlight design, tied via a crisp character line to distinctive connected taillights, with stylish wheel designs in up to 20-inches, and a classy new treatment for Highlander.
Along with all-new Palisade 8-seater SUV, 2021 Santa Fe leads Hyundai’s ’18 models in 18 months’ onslaught towards a new and comprehensive line-up, which will include seven SUVs by the end of 2021, encompassing EV, FCEV and Hybrid powertrains, the latter set to be adopted by Santa Fe in the second half of next year.
The range-opening Santa Fe variant features as standard an 8.0-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a colour instrument cluster display, and wireless (Qi standard) smartphone charging.
Also standard are a rear view camera, rear park distance warning system, tyre pressure monitoring system, and LED headlights and daytime running lights.
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