Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

Santa Fe moves onto the business stage route

Hyundai Santa Fe MY13 static
New generation: Latest Hyundai Santa Fe makes better business sense

Share

20 September 2012

New generation: Latest Hyundai Santa Fe makes better business sense

Author:

ROBIN ROBERTS

Hyundai is giving less to do more with business buyers looking for a new MPV.

The third generation Santa Fe will go on sale in Britain on 15 October for the first time with a 2WD derivative alongside the more familiar 4WD stablemates.

Since it was introduced to Britain in 2001, Santa Fe has been exclusively a 4WD package but changing buyer preferences and tax incentives mean Hyundai UK will now import a 2WD version which has been available in Europe in the previous two generations.

Prices start from £25,495 for the 2.2-litre CRDi Style 2WD model and the most expensive of the 12 models over three trim levels is the 2.2 CRDi 7 seat 4WD automatic at £34,395.

 

Cullis: Santa Fe comes at right time for Hyundai UK

Hyundai expect only 10-15pc of new Santa Fe sales will be the 2WD version but its important for them to have it, as marketing director Andrew Challis (left) explained, “It will open up new business opportunities to us.

“Customers are considering Santa Fe along with large estates and MPVs and don’t always want 4WD so this choice optimises CO2 emissions without compromising performance.”

He added, “The 2WD versions emit 155gkm, which puts us towards the top of the class in terms of cleanliness for an MPV, and fuel economy has been improved by close to 12pc while BIK is down to 25pc, which makes it a real contender in the corporate market.”

These lower running costs and greater efficiency as well as a new safer and easier to repair body mean the new Hyundai Santa Fe has dropped ten insurance groups which brings still further savings and makes it a better long term proposition when lined up with the usual five year unlimited mileage warranty from Hyundai.

Hyundai UK head of press relations Natasha Waddington said that having the 2WD version in the Santa Fe range would help Hyundai approach businesses with a better proposition and range to meet varying requirements.

“Traditionally we have been 40pc fleet or business sales and 60pc retail, which is the reverse of many companies, but we want to raise our non-retail sales to 60pc.

“We have put in place a number of features to achieve this goal, including having fleet specialists in dealerships who know their market very well backed up by our own team in head office and so far this year we have increased business sales by 45pc over last year.”

The new Santa Fe is longer and wider but lower than the previous generation, but its also more economical, cleaner and has more luggage space. There are five and seven seat versions available with a choice of six speed manual or automatic transmission.

The 4WD models use an intelligent transfer system which normally drives the front wheels but automatically detects wheel slippage and engages the rear wheels as necessary.

Advanced braking and stability control programmes are also incorporated together with a special trailer stability assist for those who want to tow in absolute safety.

 

Keep up to date with our business car news and see how the latest models stand up with our company car comparisons .

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

Latest news

Top