Hyundai more user-friendly

Hyundai will offer buyers the choice of five and seven seats in its new four-wheel-drive Santa Fe, which goes on sale here on May 1.

The new-look model is bigger than the one it replaces, has an 80mm-longer wheelbase for a better ride, has more interior space and user-friendly equipment, says the Korean carmaker.

Hyundai Automotive NZ is expected to offer five models - two with five seats and three with seven seats - priced roughly from $45,000 to around $60,000.

There will be two engine options - a 2.2-litre turbodiesel, producing 110kW (148bhp) at 4000rpm and 335Nm of torque between 1800-2500rpm, and 2.7-litre V6 petrol unit delivering 139kW (187bhp) at 6000rpm and 248Nm at 4000rpm.

There are also two transmission options, five-speed manual or five-speed automatic driving the front wheels through an "on demand" four-wheel-drive system used by many rivals.

Sensors automatically direct some of the engine power to the rear wheels whenever traction at the front is lost. The system can also be locked to split drive between the front and rear when things get boggy.

The self-levelling suspension system - MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear - has also been retuned for improved ride and handling, says Hyundai.