We have a Hyundai Sante Fe 2.2L 'R' Highlander turbo Diesel 6-speed auto as a long term test vehicle. It has a $48,490 MLP*

The 2.2L 'R' series diesel is a gem producing 145kW of peak power and 436Nm of maximum torque from just 1,800 rpm for the automatic version and provides more than enough ‘grunt’ to tackle what is asked of it. Fuel economy is rated at just  7.5L/100km ADR.

The Highlander is a seven seat economical SUV with a heap of features, 5 star ANCAP Safety rating all packaged in a really good-looking vehicle. We have nicknamed him Benny after his number plates.  

The Sante Fe Highlander is packed full of features including R-series engine, ESP Stability Control + TCS, Front, side and curtain airbags, Active front headrests, Back warning sensors, 6 speed transmissions, Cruise control, Steering wheel audio controls, Rear map lamps, Rear spoiler, front fog lamps, Tweeter speakers, Cool box, Conversation mirror, Autolight control, Roof rails, 3^rd row air con & heating, Supervision cluster, Push button smart key, Leather steering wheel & TGS, Full auto climate control, Chrome door handles, Rear parking camera, Leather seats, Front driver and passenger power seat, In-dash 6 stacker CD / MP3, iPod® and USB connectivity.18” alloy wheels, Rain sensing wipers, Sunroof, Electro-chromatic mirror, Electric folding heated mirrors, Deluxe door scuffs.

We have had the Highlander for about a week now and already it has proved its worth.

Lets see in that week we have

• Transported 6 very loud teenage girls to and from a concert. Its amazing how much louder they were on the way back
• Dropped some friends and their many bags off at the airport
• Taken the family on a days trip through the forest trails of the Watagan mountains just north of Sydney
• Done the daily school run and associated afterschool activities
• Used as daily runabout

We are still on the first tank of fuel and getting familiar with the car in general.

Our thoughts so far are

• The Sante Fe has more than enough power for all we have thrown at it so far.
• The economy is pretty good at 8.8L/100Km in a mix of motorway and around driving
• The interior is comfortable, however being 6 ft 3 inches tall I would appreciate some more seat travel for the drivers seat
• The third row of seats is relatively comfortable for teenagers for shorter trips
• The wagon has proved versatile.

Over the next few weeks we are planning on getting Hyundai to fit a tow bar and electric brakes so we can use the Sante Fe as a tow vehicle for our road tests. Also noticeably missing is bluetooth which is an accessory so we will ask Hyundai to fit that as well.

There is a bit planned for Benny so stay tuned as we believe he will become a much appreciated member of the family.