Click to enlarge pic
Here’s a spyshot of a car we know is coming soon, thanks to reader Edward Yap, who was alert to spot the SUV with taped-up badges. No, it’s not an Audi but the third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, which has already starred in ads on our sister classifieds site oto.my.
UPDATE: The new Hyundai Santa Fe is now launched in Malaysia. Click here for our launch report and pics.
You might have read about a long-wheelbase Santa Fe with three rows of seats, but this is not it. Malaysia will get the standard (2,700 mm wheelbase, same as the current car) DM, although this variant can also be specified with a third row of two seats.
The car we see here is likely to be a high-spec unit with the bells, whistles and sizable wheels. Hyundai-Sime Darby will be bringing in the 2.2 litre R-series diesel engine, which has proved to be popular with second-gen Santa Fe buyers. The VGT-equipped oil burner boasts 197 hp and 436 Nm of torque, and will be paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox. It’s likely that HSDM will specify the on-demand 4WD system.
According to the oto.my ad, the kit list could include HID headlamps with cornering lights, LED rear lamps, reverse camera, electronic parking brake, ESC and Hill Start Assist. All yet to be confirmed, of course.
that’s a nice suv. something good compared to the previous one.
This car is underpowered somehow. drive it n u would know what i mean. dun jus look at the spec sheet.
the previous one got nice pulling power. good enough to push you back to your seat. at least for me lah. i’m not used to high power vehicle.
anyway thanks for the insight. will go have a testdrive, when available.
lol da heck underpowered? its overpower if u asked me.
I have driven the old 2.2 diesel Santa Fe and the new 2.2 R-series diesel Santa Fe. The old 2.2 diesel didn’t feel powerful, but the 2.2 R-series can push you in your seat with the torque and the car picks up pace quickly. It’s no BMW diesel but it’s not underpowered.
You must be kidding, altimaguy. Our company has a white Santa 2.2 R-Diesel and it’s seriously torquey. Harriz is right, feels almost overpowered compared to its handling prowess.
who say underpowered..u r wrong altimaguy..with diesel turbo..is totally different..
Underpower my foot! 430+ Nm torque. Are you high on drugs? Or you comparing to ferrari?
Fortuner 2.5L turbodiesel has only 260Nm.
Not bad…hope the price of this car is reasonable!
This is just like the US-model “Santa Fe Sport”. The long-wheelbase “Santa Fe” model carries over with a 3.3-liter Lambda V-6 as found in the Hyundai Azera and the KIA Cadenza with the 3.3
Smart jugak .. agak2 dalam brape rm?
awesome torqueee
Far better than The New Sorento…thinking to trade in if price below rm180k
thank goodness is the standard wheelbase version, the long wheelbase one is just so…..uncool. the design of the standard wheelbase is much sportier and youthful.
2700 for 7 persons, good luck ya owners.
You buy 190 this shows that you are brave, if you believe.
200 ribu je, bang…maaf, ringgit ye.
Will these be launched after election? or before?
Good car, best in its class, it just need a nice pricing
RM168,888
1 year later, the owner will be lucky if it can be traded in for RM68,888
new sorento 2014 only cost you 158888
..hmm..which one better?
Cool only if the price is right. Knowing SD, they will most likely make a daylight killing of this thing.
Ugly looking kimchi. French have more flair design. Of course, resale value no good and thus, i have to keep it for life or sam loo is nice enough to give me good trade in price.
Why are you pushing your french to me ? I told you folks i prefer japanese 2nd hand car. Easier to sell.
I scare i put your car in my yard for sale, I die also it can’t sell lar. I wish i could help you brader, but since if you really need to sell, my best offer is RM100. Amacam, ok or not ?
then you must have a very short life!!
Fake fella
You can tell by the Pua Chu Kang type english these immitators posts
Honda crv is better deal. This car is iver priced.
Hope its known as HYUNDAI, and not dicky INOKOM
The price will exceed 190k for the highest specs, source from SimeDarby HQ sales team.
Still, hope for the premium variant to be around RM170k
i hope its free better deal…basic need should be free..lol
NB kawans hope everything is free into their own pockets, example PA.
Makan gaji siapa, cakap untuk siapa le.
Saya tak makan gaji rakyat, tetapi saya harap rakyat bagus.
Saya tak minat Toyota, tetapi saya harap Toyota selamat untuk pembeli2 umum, itu sebab saya nak mereka improve. Mana hati nurani/naluri(don’t know which word) kita?
Great looking SUV. Looks is better than the VW but performance…. you know.
Hmm the Koreans are putting a high price tag for their SUV models…but a diesel is better than a petrol engine for such a car like this.
So…a diesel high spec Korean SUV or a 2.4 petrol high spec Japanese SUV? Choices for the mass!
we are lucky in a way hyundai gives the 2.2 as a standard option instead of a higher cost model like the rest of the world, with the cheaper diesel price and also longer mileage it’s a win win situation
When is the new Sante going to be launched in Malaysia?
some will say good looking only but lousy engine…i would say if they can design and produce a good looking exterior i believe the inner machine will not be bad.
what to do some people are just full of shit.
malaysian or korean cars are good/reliable enough for daily usage.
enthusiast will look somewhere else for more “involving” motoring experience.
why lousy engine? any proof?
some just like to simply complain without facts.
Overpriced car.
Camry is more overpriced shit… no ESP lolololol…
Yes. Kimchi engine not reliable. Toyota is world no. 1 most reliable engine.
If you care not to be stranded in Chow Kit Road, please buy Toyota.
Engine wise, isn’t Nissan the most reliable among Jap?
BTW I rarely saw any Hondas mati di tepi jalans also, why hor?
It is either Nissan or Toyota for most reliable power train. Honda on the other hand, though I am quite the supporter, doesn’t hold up its reliability against those two. Always, before getting hold of a City, I hear people saying after 5/6 years, a lot can go wrong with Honda, mostly electronics as that Alvin guy found out.
Think EB a better with 7 seats too. EB reliable or not ?
This car is awesome n fun to drive at least for first 5 years…..but after nightmare is coming for asking bad RV..lot things need to be replace…n so on…just buy it without all thought…else dun if u consider these aspect such as RV, maintenance…
At first sight I thought the rear lights looked a bit like Ford Kuga
Prefer the 7 seater version….Maybe uncool for some people, but it will become handy when necessary….agree with me anyone?
Maybe it will sell better than the 5 seater?
Toyota Vios can use 15 years plus.
How reliable is the Korean cars ? How long can the diesel engine and gearbox last compares with Japanese ? Is the CRV a better buy ?
Kimchi cars are like paper plates and cups. Its meant to be disposable
Just buy anything besides Sushi made, i need more business for my towing.
considering our living style(balik kg , banyak bawak barang , keluarga ramai ) , i think they should bring the long wheel base ver.
Just an observation. Diesel cars (Hyundai’s included) usually has the exhaust facing downwards but not the one in the photo.
Could this be a 2.4 Petrol unit?
honda CRV have their highest ever record for honda malaysia with today more than 3000 units been book.. so, the brand still got too many followers. though the specs sheet for the CRV is not spectacular, but still sell well, it’s hard for Santa fe to break into this market, CRV still rules and for RM190k, it’s even harder
buy what you like… it is a good looking SUV….CRV no fight in appearance! Agree ?!
Kimchi no fight in low RV
I bought a 2008 santafe from Sime Darby and drove this fantastic vehicle clocking 120k plus without any problems. The comfort and power is astounding, believe me I drive a lot of vehicles including Beemer sevens.
Those who criticise Hyundai,s would be better off criticising about life on Mars…..as they simply have no experience. For those interested in depreciation….I just sold the car back at a value of 83K as I am leaving Malaysia. The perception of people changes at a much slower rate than the advancement of quality, technology and comfort achieved by Hyundai. Hey it’s your loss,,,,,
…try first before make any comment,,2.2 diesel power is really awesome .
Hey, those look like 19″ rims! Must be top spec.
I bought this 2013 Santa Fe (Highlander model) in March in Aust…. all I can say is its awesome and the built quality for the Australian version really exceeded my expectation of a Korean car. Being fairly light compared to other 4WD, it even successfully navigated through sand dunes in Perth while others got stuck and its has very useable torque definitely not underpowered even when during towing.