All-New For 2019 & Beyond
For Hyundai, redesigning one its best-selling
models was a tricky situation. With 1.6 million Santa Fe SUVs having been sold
in its previous three generations, getting the all-new 2019 Santa Fe right was
critical. What they came up with is a bolder design with larger interior space
and new safety technologies. With an eye towards families, the 2019 Santa Fe
will continue to be a popular midsize SUV.
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is sized-right for parking, has a ride that is quiet and calming and respectable handling. The Santa Fe’s high safety rating is also a plus when driving any tall vehicle. Clean Fleet Report would like to see higher fuel economy numbers, though.
Drivetrain
Clean Fleet Report
drove the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate AWD with the turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder
engine that, running on unleaded regular, put-out 235 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet
of torque. The EPA rated the fuel economy at 19 city/24 highway/21 combined. In
248 miles of mostly freeway driving throughout Southern California, we averaged
23.5 mpg. We did a bit better on a 100-mile freeway run with the smart cruise
control set at 65 mph, achieving 28.6 mpg.
This is oh-so-close to the
magic 30 mpg Clean Fleet Report feels AWD cars should set a goal to get,
at a minimum, when on the open road. The 2.0T is quite peppy; peak torque kicks
in at a low 1,450 rpm and pulls strong through 3,500 rpm, making highway
onramps and passing big rigs a breeze. It did produce a hoarse sound under
heavy acceleration, but was quiet when cruising. Hyundai’s eight-speed
automatic transmission, with a Shiftronic manual shift mode, ran smooth through
all demands.
The base engine is a 2.4-liter
four-cylinder has less horsepower and torque, but better fuel economy.
Regardless of the engine, neither gets 30 mpg, which Clean Fleet Report
feels is a goal all crossovers should strive for in 2019.
Driving Experience: On the Road
Our Santa Fe AWD handled well,
with its 4,085 lbs. well-suited to its length, width and height. Maneuvering
was easy thanks to theContinental CrossContact LX Sport 235/55R
all-season tires on 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, with responsive steering
especially at low speeds. The handling was taught with little body roll when
pushed on corners, helped by the independent front and rear suspension with
stabilizer bars, dual damper shock absorbers and active cornering control.
Hyundai says the biggest change for 2019 was that the rear shocks were moved
upright from an angled position to improve ride and handling in all driving
conditions. The 2.0T has a tow rating of 3,500 lbs.
To get the most performance
from the engine, you have choices of Eco, Comfort and Sport settings. Use Eco
on long stretches of road to squeeze out every last drop of fuel, while Sport
holds the transmission in each rev band a bit longer, sending more available
torque to the rear wheels. Comfort is right in the middle for the cushiest
ride. We were glad to find no paddle shifters as, for the most part, they are
unnecessary on most of the cars we drive. Comfort or Eco will be the way to go
for most of your driving.
Stops were solid and
consistent with a power-assisted braking system consisting of vented front and
solid rear discs, anti-lock brake system and electronic brake-force
distribution. The latter adjusts brake proportioning to compensate for added
weight from passengers or cargo, and even adjusts as fuel is consumed. This is
invisible and instant to the driver and passengers, making for a comfortable
and controlled ride.
Driving Experience:
Exterior
Hyundai says the 2019 has a
“bold new look” that begins with the cascading grille and the squinty-eyed LED
headlights. There is an attractive strong detail line that runs the length of
the body, from the headlights to the tail lights. The nearly flat roof has a
power panoramic sunroof, rack rails, and a body-color shark fin antenna, which
for Clean Fleet Report’s Santa Fe was a deep Scarlet Red. The integrated
spoiler sits above the power liftgate, LED tail lights and the chrome-tipped
exhaust.
Driving
Experience: Interior
The Santa Fe Ultimate seats
five, with the black-on-black front power leather seats heated and ventilated
and the outbound rears heated. The front seats were comfortable and the
multiple adjustments, aided by the tilt and telescoping steering column, made
finding a comfortable driving position easy. Rear leg and head room were plentiful;
nice touches were the reclining and sliding rear seat, with leg extensions, and
the window shades. Storage space behind the rear seat was good, but when the
60/40 split-folding seat was in the full down position, the storage space could
handle pretty much whatever you like. The door pockets were a bit tight, but
the large center console is deep. There is underfloor storage in the cargo
area. The tie down hooks are recessed. When it comes time to do the jigsaw
puzzle of loading luggage for that road trip, the Santa Fe is up to the task of
having a place for all your gear.
The Santa Fe Ultimate interior
is not fancy, which is appreciated as far too often form over function creeps
into cabin design. The soft-touch material dash has a simple layout, starting
with the deep-set analog tachometer and speedometer gauges that are easy to
read with white lettering on a black background. The heated, leather-wrapped
steering wheel has audio and telephone controls.
Operating
the sound system was easy and met Clean Fleet Report’s minimum
requirement for a driver-friendly system, as it had knobs for the channel and
volume functions. Our Santa Fe Ultimate came with the 8.0-inch HD, color
touchscreen with navigation and a multi-view camera system. The powerful and
great sounding 630-watt Infinity surround-sound, high-definition audio system
came with an external amplifier, subwoofer and 12 speakers. SiriusXM satellite
radio is included (three-month trial subscription) as is the AM/FM/CD/MP3
radio, USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Aux-in jacks and Bluetooth
streaming audio with voice recognition completed the system. The Blue Link connected services include being able
to start the Santa Fe remotely. One of the best features that adds to driver
safety is the head-up display. This allows the driver to keep eyes on the road
while vital information is projected onto the windshield.
Adding to the interior comfort and
convenience were wireless phone charging, a leather-wrapped shift knob, push
button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows with one-touch
up/down, power door locks, power heated outside mirrors with turn indicators,
carpeted floor mats, auto dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink,
multiple beverage holders, 12-volt accessory outlets and a 110V power inverter.
Safety
The 2019 Santa Fe comes with a long
list of safety features, including eight air bags, lane departure warning,
blind spot detection, back-up warning, a tire pressure monitoring system,
automatic stop/start and electronic stability control.
The 2019 Santa Fe Sport has earned a
US Government National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, where 5
Stars is their highest safety rating.
Pricing
and Warranties
There are fourteen different 2019 Santa Fe
models to choose from, ranging in base price from $25,750 to $38,800, depending
on the engine, drive system and trim level. Clean Fleet Report’s Santa
Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD, had a MSRP of $38,925 which included $125 in options. All
prices are before the $1,045 freight Fee.
The 2019 Santa Fe comes
with these warranties:
- Powertrain 10 years/100,000 miles
- New Vehicle Five years/60,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance Five years/Unlimited miles
- Anti-perforation Seven years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2019 Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD
When Clean Fleet Report
reviewed the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
it was called the “Sport”. Sport has been dropped for 2019, so the two-row,
five-passenger reviewed here is simply the Santa Fe, with the Santa Fe XL being
the three-row version. Hang on, though, the Santa Fe XL is being replaced in
2020 by the Hyundai Palisade. Whew, got it? Don’t worry there isn’t a test
ahead, but stay tuned to Clean
Fleet Report for the Palisade review as soon as the model is available.
Reading owner comments on their 2019
Santa Fe Sports reveals common words: “expectations exceeded,’ “quality feel
and quietness” and costing “several thousands less” than other brands they
shopped. The redesigned 2019 Santa Fe offers clean, contemporary styling and a
class-up, comfortable interior with convenient and desirable seating and
storage flexibility. The features list is long and deep. Having choices of
front wheel and all-wheel drive means everyone looking for a midsize SUV will
find something to fit their needs.
The new Santa Fe is sized-right for
parking, has a ride that is quiet and calming and respectable handling. The
Santa Fe’s high safety rating is also a plus when driving any tall vehicle. Clean
Fleet Report would like to see higher fuel economy numbers, though.
The 2019 Santa Fe is a very capable
SUV and should be on your shopping list.
Whatever
you buy, Happy Driving!
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles
from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are
based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address
issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition,
we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or
technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation,
lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of
vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in
their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids,
hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that
are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer
reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle
market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to
providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
