Hyundai Santa Fe the most efficient SUV in NZ

28th November
Immediate Release
Hyundai Santa Fe the most efficient SUV in New Zealand

Hyundai’s diesel powered Santa Fe has claimed the large lifestyle vehicle class in the AA Energywise economy rally returning an outstanding fuel economy average of just 5.9 litres per 100km over the four day, 1641km trial to find New Zealand’s most cost effective vehicles to operate.

Driven by husband and wife team of David and Trish Kilburn from Albany, the Santa Fe easily took out class honours besting its opponents with better fuel economy, emitting the least amount of CO2 and running at a rate of just 11 cents per kilometre in fuel costs.

“We’re pleased with the result but not surprised, said David.  “The engine is just so well matched to the vehicle. This is fourth time we’ve driven for Hyundai and we’re hoping for a fifth”.

In terms of fuel consumption and overall environmental impact via CO2 emissions, the large Santa Fe bettered some of the cars competing in the medium class as well as most of the entrants in the small lifestyle and leisure segment. Of the two smaller SUVs that bettered the Santa Fe, one was Hyundai's own Tucson diesel which returned a frugal 5.7L/100km.

The 2.2 litre CRDi Santa Fe easily beat its factory fuel economy figure of 7.3L/100km and is outstanding for a vehicle with go anywhere four-wheel-drive abilities, seating for up to seven people and a towing capacity of 2000kgs (braked).

“We’re thrilled with the result, especially how the Santa Fe did better than some of the smaller cars from the classes below. The fact that our Santa Fe is as cheap to run per kilometre as a medium sized sedan shows the ability of Hyundai’s world class diesel technology to power a much larger and usable vehicle yet still return outstanding fuel economy.

The Santa Fe has shown to have similar operating costs to most popular medium class cars in New Zealand, this makes it one of the best value for money family vehicles on the market, particularly when you take into account all Santa Fe’s come standard with six air bags and stability control,” said Philip Eustace, Executive Director Hyundai Motors New Zealand.

Available from $49,990, the diesel powered Hyundai Santa Fe represents outstanding value in the increasingly popular SUV segment.

The Santa Fe CRDi was one of seven Hyundai diesels in the Energywise Rally, and Hyundai was the only manufacturer to feature a car in every class of the rally. The Hyundai i30 hatch returned a truly frugal 4.1L/100km, the medium sized Sonata 4.9L/100km and the large luxury class Grandeur consumed just 6.1L/100km.

“We have a strong Diesel strategy that has seen us become the largest selling diesel passenger brand in the country”, Philip continued 

And we have a made a commitment to keep developing and delivering more fuel efficient cars with lower CO2 outputs. All of our cars entered in the rally achieved excellent CO2 results.”

All vehicles entered beat the proposed 2015 Government target of 170grams CO2 per KM.  The Getz achieved 126grams per KM, the i30 and i30 Elite got 108 and 112 respectively. Even the larger cars come in well under with the Sonata on 130, the Grandeur on 161 and the Tucson on 151 and of course the winning Santa Fe on 157gm/KM.

Taking out the class honours came as no surprise, as the Santa Fe won its class in the 2006 Energywise rally and has been the number one selling diesel passenger vehicle in New Zealand since 2006.

-ENDS-

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