Spy Shots: 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe

[Alpina]

By the end of 2005 Hyundai will release the new Santa Fe model. It will replace the current Santa Fe, which has been on the market since 2001. Prototypes of the new car are being tested these days on the German autobahn as well as on snow and frozen lakes in Northern Scandinavia

 

With the new Hyundai Tucson filling the role of compact SUV in the model lineup, Hyundai is now free to grow the Santa Fe in size and move it up to compete with larger SUVs like the Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The increased size will allow the Santa Fe to have a third row of seats for the first time. The new Santa Fe will be built on a platform that is shared with the new Hyundai Sonata sedan.

 

Styling is all-new and ditches the quirky looks of the current Santa Fe in favor of a modern, bold look with a very large, forward-sloping grille. Fenders sweep back towards the front wheels, making the front end more rounded and adding emphasis to the grille.

[Nine_eleven]

looks alot more cohesive than the current mdoel... should sell well considering current prices..

 

if only they have a VVT engine... its about time...

[Snoopy44]

Oh yes, I agree..Nice work from Hyundai again....the only thing about Hyundai is FC. If only they were able to improve on the FC, they will sell very well...

[Nine_eleven]

well, with a VVT engine, they can improve FC... but their bodyshells are known to be heavy right?

[Vernon]

Well, Hyundai has CVT right?

[Brendan]

front grille and bumper has hints of rav4 and sorento.

[Vernon]

Anyway, I think the new Santa Fe doesn't look modern enough. It still looks like its design is from the 2002s.

[Nine_eleven]

CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) refers to the transmission.... while VVT (Variable Valve Timing) refers to the engine type..

 

comparing the 2, the VVT would be better at lowering fuel concumption than just the tranny...

[Vernon]

what about CVVT? I think Hyundai has that. I think the trajet and tucson have it? What does CVVT stand for? Constanly Variable Valve Timing?

[Nine_eleven]

oh yes, if its a CVVT then its a variable valve timing engine... which is good for FC... but it seems that hyundais still suffer from bad FC...

 

that might be due to the chassis and body shell then... weight would be the issue...

 

funny how no one complains about FC in a Merc or BMW??

[Genie]

Design looks slightly dated and doesn't break new ground leh... but then again, we're talking about Hyundai here

[Esky]

It seems like the Koreans still haven't got the hang of the fuel mapping... every Korean car model that I know of has relatively high FC in their class! Even the 1.0L Atoz has FC comparable to bigger engines, even though others in its class like the Kenari has lower FC yet better power.

[Vernon]

As much as I love Hyundai, I must say that the Atos has one of the poorest FC among 1 litres.

[Vernon]

Yeah, Hyundai cars are pretty heavy. And no one complain about Merc/BMW because their displacement is very high wadz. And after paying such a high price, even IF the car not good also must give face and cannot complain

Edited December 24, 2004 by Vernon

[Potheader]

Quite nice.. The back looks like a Landrover!

 

But I think this is another 2WD SUV.. Looks but no power.

[Potheader]

Well said! If say BMW not good only malu oneself only!

[Looneytune]

looks like honda crv..

[Vernon]

Where got look like? It bears the least resemblence.