2020 Hyundai Santa Fe gets a petrol V6, starts at $43,000

The Hyundai Santa Fe in its newest iteration is, at last, here in Australia.  The major update comes in the form of a four-cylinder naturally-aspirated V6 petrol-fed engine, which can be had with all of the Active, Elite, and Highlander. Besides that, the new V6 brings along a front-wheel-drive setup only, and the updated 2020 range of the South Korean SUV starts at $43,000. With that said, for the all-wheel-drive models, you will have to go for the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel models that are $3,000 more expensive than the V6-powered trims.

Speaking of power, the new Lambda-II 3.5-litre V6 is capable of generating 280 hp of maximum power and a peak torque of 336Nm. Previously, the 2.4-litre four-pot motor used to serve the SUV with 92 hp and 95 Nm. Then there is the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel mill that churns out 200 hp of maximum power alongside 440 Nm of peak torque. The ADR official combined cycle claims the V6 to consume 10.6L/100km, whereas the 2.4-litre diesel quaffs a mere 7.3L/100km.

Not only the petrol-fed V6 is cheaper than the 2.4-litre diesel, but it is also a little expensive to care for as the service cost for the V6 is just $330, which is good $69 less than that of the diesel that costs $399. Set to battle with the likes of the Toyota Kluger, Holden Acadia, and Nissan Pathfinder, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is generously equipped with tech and comfort & convenience features. For starters, the entry-level Active model comes with a seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity, large 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear parking assist with a reverse camera, and a leather-wrapped shifter. There's also the Hyundai SmartSense safety suite that equips the SUV with advanced safety features like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist.

Then comes the 2020 Santa Fe Elite. On the outside, the Elite trim stands out with the presence of satin chrome exterior accents and a "carbon effect" grille. As for tech and features, the mid-range trim sports powered front seats, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, smart key access with push-button start/stop, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Infinity premium audio system & satellite navigation, 18-inch alloy wheels, paddle shifters, front parking sensors, and powered tailgate.

At last, we have the Highlander variant of the South Korean SUV, which gets panoramic glass sunroof, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, surround-view monitor, smart parking assist system, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED fog lights, LED taillights, heated & ventilated front seats, 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated outboard rear seats, and a 12-month free subscription of Hyundai’s Auto Link Premium. Following are the different variants of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe along with their respective prices:

• Active V6: $43,000
• Active diesel: $46,000
• Elite V6: $51,000
• Elite diesel: $54,000
• Highlander V6: $57,500
• Highlander diesel: $60,500

Also read: Hyundai will start making its first ute Santa Cruz in 2021