Hyundai Santa Fe SLX CRDi 2007 review

They're not what you call hardcore offroaders, but rather softer, all-wheel drive SUVs - the kind that spend the majority of their time on the road.

Both vehicles have much to offer, but surprisingly it's the diesel that delivers the better fuel economy of the two.

It also compares favourably in other depart- ments, despite the fact it costs half as much.

We're talking about Hyundai's Santa Fe CRDi which crept quietly into the lineup towards the end of last year.

Our test car was the mid-spec SLX with a five-speed auto and three rows of seats - priced from $43,490.

Sure, it mightn't have the kudos or same level of equipment as the higher-priced vehicle.

But it comes with everything you want and nothing you dont't.

The SLX is available only as an auto and only with seven seats.

It costs $4500 more than its petrol equivalent but the diesel is worth every cent, in terms of fuel economy and also ease of driving.

If you want a manual you'll have to settle for the entry level SX or, if you only want five seats, you're got the pick of the SX or top of the range Elite.

Having said that, the third row of seats packs flat and flush with the floor, so it's hardly an imposition.

Besides, you never know when the extra seats might come in handy.

The diesel engine is a 2.2-litre four cylinder common rail job built in house by Hyundai.

If features the latest common-rail, direct injection design with variable-vane-geometry, air-to-air-intercooled turbocharger, Euro-4 emission calibration and a balance-shaft mod- ule in the crankcase.

Power output is 114kW at 4000rpm and it delivers 343Nm of torque between 1800 and 2500rpm.

It's smooth, it's quiet and it's powerful.

Ccoupled with the adaptive five-speed auto - it's a cracker.

In terms of economy, the manual is rated at 7.3 litres/100km and the seven seat auto is good for 8.2 litres/100km.

True to form our test car got 810km from the 75 litre tank at a rate of 8.3 litres/100km.

Even more impressive is the fact that a fuel economy expert got 1777km from a single tank recently.

We loathed the style of the old Santa Fe with all those conflicting curves, but this one looks the goods, with its alloy wheels and dual exhaust outlets.

The build quality inside and out is as good as anything from the Japanese.

Given the choice, we'd get rid of the spray of plastic wood inside - but hey you can't have everything.

The blue instrument lighting looks great at night and the sound system is a decent one.

In fact, there's not much we don't like about the Santa Fe.

The only thing that springs to mind is the leather-clad steering wheel which is so smooth it is almost slippery at times.

It's nothing a bit of texture wouldn't fix up.

Standard safety equipment with this model includes six airbags, active front head restraints and electronic stability control.