As more automotive manufacturers turn to alternate fuel sources for vehicles, older models of cars are getting overhauled to match their new engines. Hyundai Motor Group makes a fine example of this trend with their updated Santa Fe HEV.
Scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms before the end of 2022, the Hyundai Sante Fe HEV is one of many new electric and hybrid vehicles hitting the scene. What makes the Santa Fe HEV unique from its competitors and past versions?
How the Santa Fe HEV is Similar to – and Different From – Previous Santa Fe Models
Like the original Santa Fe SUV, the HEV will come with Elite and Highlander trims. Unlike other models, it only has all-wheel drive and comes with 19-inch aerodynamic-optimized wheels. New for the Australian market is a six-seat interior layout with two seats per row and three rows total in the Highlander trim of the vehicle.
At $63,000 for the Elite and $70,000 for the Highlander, the HEV is the most expensive Santa Fe model currently on the road. The question is: is it worth that much?
How Much Can the Hyundai Santa Fe Tow? How Much Power Does it Have?
The Santa Fe HEV is a hybrid that uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine combined with a 44 kW electric motor powered by a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. Other versions of the Santa Fe use 3.5-liter V6 gas and 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engines.
These different engines have created some power differences – for example, the HEV is more powerful than the diesel. But that leaves the question: can Hyundai Santa Fe tow differences occur alongside the power changes?
According to Hyundai’s website, all three engine versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe can tow roughly 1600 pounds if what it pulls doesn’t have a braking system. For trailers with a brake system, the HEV can tow 3600 pounds compared to the 5500 pounds of the diesel and gas versions.
How the Hyundai Santa Fe HEV Competes with Other Electric Vehicles
It’s no surprise, given that Hyundai and Kia operate under the same parent company, that the Kia Sorento HEV has the same engine system as the Santa Fe HEV. The two vehicles may have similar engines, but their size, style, and interior option differences still make them stand out from each other.
But what about other hybrids? Can the Hyundai Santa Fe tow better, travel farther, or provide a more comfortable drive than other vehicles in its class?
Compared to new hybrids from manufacturers like Toyota and Kia, the Hyundai Santa Fe slots perfectly in the lineup as an affordable, comfortable HEV choice. Combining style and capability with affordability and a high reliability and safety rating history gives you the best new hybrid on the road!
Don’t be afraid to take this one for a spin when it reaches showrooms later this year!
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