The Hyundai Santa Fe has become one of the most popular mid-size SUVs in the UAE, combining sophisticated design, advanced technology, and powerful performance. With its spacious interior, safety features, and versatile driving capabilities, the Santa Fe is designed to meet the needs of UAE drivers who demand both style and functionality from their vehicles. This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know about the new Hyundai Santa Fe, from its features and performance to why it is an excellent choice for the UAE’s unique driving conditions.

Exterior Design: Bold and Modern

The Hyundai Santa Fe stands out on the road with its bold, modern design. Its strong stance, sharp lines, and dynamic grille give the SUV a commanding presence. The front of the Santa Fe is highlighted by a distinctive cascading grille and sleek LED headlights, which offer improved visibility while adding to the vehicle’s sophisticated look. Daytime running lights and optional LED fog lights further enhance the Santa Fe's stylish exterior.

In the UAE market, where SUVs are often prized for their road presence, the Santa Fe offers 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels (depending on the trim), giving it a premium appearance. The rear features LED taillights, dual exhaust tips, and a sporty spoiler that add a sense of athleticism to the vehicle's design.

Interior: Spacious and Luxurious

One of the Santa Fe’s key strengths is its spacious and luxurious interior, making it ideal for families or drivers who value comfort on long journeys. The Santa Fe offers three rows of seating with ample legroom and headroom for passengers in both the front and rear. Premium materials, including leather upholstery in higher trims, give the cabin a high-end feel.

The driver-centric dashboard features an ergonomic layout, ensuring that controls are easy to reach and intuitive to use. The available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system offer seamless connectivity with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation.

The Santa Fe also provides a variety of convenient features, such as a wireless smartphone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof that enhances the sense of space and lets in plenty of natural light. For families, the cargo space is generous, offering 634-litres of space behind the second row, expandable to 1,625-litres with the rear seats folded down. Whether you are heading for a road trip to Fujairah or running errands around Dubai, the Santa Fe’s interior versatility is sure to impress.

Performance: Power and Efficiency for UAE Roads

The Hyundai Santa Fe offers three engine options in the UAE, which are designed to balance power with fuel efficiency. The 2.5-litre GDi engine is also available in turbo and hybrid versions. The Santa Fe produces up to 277 horsepower, providing smooth acceleration and responsive handling.

The Santa Fe’s multi-terrain control system, which includes drive modes such as sand, mud, and snow, ensures that the vehicle adapts to various driving conditions, making it a great choice for adventurous UAE drivers.

Advanced Safety Features

Hyundai places a strong emphasis on safety, and the Santa Fe is no exception. The SUV comes equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite, which includes a range of advanced driver-assistance features to enhance safety on the road. Some of these key Hyundai Santa Fe features include:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA): This system automatically applies the brakes if it detects an imminent collision with another vehicle or pedestrian.
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA): Helps prevent accidents by alerting the driver of vehicles in their blind spots and can even apply corrective steering.
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): Helps keep the vehicle centred in its lane, providing added peace of mind on long drives.
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA): Monitors for approaching vehicles when reversing and can apply the brakes if necessary.
• Surround View Monitor (SVM): Provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle, making parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces much easier.

These safety technologies, combined with the Santa Fe’s solid build and impressive crash-test ratings, make it one of the safest SUVs on the market.

Value for Money in the UAE

In the UAE, the Hyundai Santa Fe is competitively priced, offering a lot of features for its cost. The starting price for the base model typically falls around AED 96,000, while higher trims with more advanced features can reach up to AED 148,000. Considering the level of technology, performance, and luxury, the Santa Fe represents excellent value for money.

Moreover, Hyundai’s 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and 3-year/60,000 km free maintenance package offer added peace of mind for UAE buyers, ensuring that ownership costs are kept low.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a well-rounded mid-size SUV that offers UAE drivers a perfect blend of style, performance, and practicality. With its modern design, luxurious interior, powerful engine options, and comprehensive safety features, it is no surprise that the Santa Fe remains a popular choice in the region. Whether you are navigating city streets or exploring the desert, the Santa Fe delivers a reliable, comfortable, and enjoyable driving experience.