Santa Fe 4WD PHEV Premium Calligraphy has opted for an exterior design that’s a sharp departure from its nondescript predecessor. The result is a distinctive, boxy silhouette that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Land Rover Discovery In 1999 at the Seoul Motor Show, Hyundai introduced a concept car that would make waves across Europe: the Santa Fe 4x4. It left a memorable initial impression, albeit not all for the right reasons.
One critic described it as “part Ford Focus, part Massey Ferguson”, a large, unattractive brute that made its competitors seem either too delicate or downright boring. It was a brute that was to find its stride very quickly. The Santa Fe arrived in Europe the following August in two versions: a 2.
4-litre and a 2.7-litre V6. A 2.
0-litre diesel arrived later. Positioned as a budget-friendly giant, it aimed to undercut the price of competitors such as the Honda CR-V and Land Rover Freelander by around 10pc. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
