HYUNDAI SANTA FE

Driving the latest generation Santa Fe, an SUV that was once the Korean car maker's flagship model in India, in its homeland!

- ABHAY VERMA

HYUNDAI SANTA FE G1.6 T-GDI HEV

 Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol + single electric motor Power: 232PS @ 5,600rpm Torque: 367Nm @ 1,000 - 4,100rpm Weight: 2,225kg Gearbox: 6-speed automatic Price: ₹ 55 lakh ex-showroom (estimated)

have reason to believe the design team at Hyundai Motor's HQ in South Korea is one of the hardest working ones across the world.

Why? Because the car maker's designs are constantly changing! I mean, just look at the SUV here - if the Hyundai badge were taken off, would you recognise it as a Hyundai, let alone a Santa Fe? I doubt. Of course, it's interesting to see the kind of varied designs Hyundai comes up with, and that too with alarming regularity. As for the Santa Fe here, this is the latest generation version of the full-size SUV and it looks smashing. It's a radical departure from the design language adopted by most car makers for SUVs today, shunning soft, curvy lines in favour of a sharp, boxy design.

I spent a day behind its wheel in Seoul, South Korea, Hyundai's homeland. There is no confirmation yet on whether Hyundai will bring it to India or not, but admittedly, this is an SUV I'd like to see on our roads, given how SUVs are turning out to be the flavour of the season, year and decade! Then there's the fact that this one will sit above the Tucson as Hyundai's flagship model in India, discounting the IONIQ 5 which is a pure EV. The Santa Fe should thus help Hyundai elevate its status further as a manufacturer offering more than just mass market cars in what is one of the world's largest automobile markets.