2014 Santa Fe

[woodsieboy]

Sadly the time is approaching when our loyal Shogun for the past 15 years will need replacing, as Shoguns are only automatic now I am looking for a substantial manual tow car, I am looking at a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, 5 seat version that already has a removable tow bar fitted. I welcome comments on the car, especially whether it is worth getting the 7 seat version for the self leveling suspension,how reliable and effective is the electric handbrake, is it feasible to use 6th gear when towing caravan,how reliable is the car likely to be and an indication of servicing and spares as I have been told I will have to have Hyundai approved spares to maintain the warranty Thank you in advance

 

[Hutch]

Woodsieboy, I have the Auto version of the 2014 SF, a premium 5 seater, just done 35,000 miles, If you look at the small print , although the servicing is 2 years or 20k miles if your towing then you should have the interim service at 10k miles. Yes Hyundai approved spares are required.

The car tows well my Coachman is MTPL 1645 kg and I run close to that when touring Europe. The electric handbrake and the auto hand brake work very well, the 5 seater has the huge amount of storage space under the rear flor and also behind the rear seats at floor level, with the dogs in the back and a large coolbox, awning strapped on one rear seat, Cadac, and other thing attributed with going away for a week, beer, wine , softies etc, all in the car and two adults, nose weight of about 80 to 90kg on the towball, it tows nicely with only a drop of maybe an inch or so on the rear end, so the self leveling , I will let someone else comment on. Towing return anything from 25 to 30mpg. It did get the engine temp up a bit in The Central Masife of France, but it was +35c and at an alltitude of 1850 meters. Towing the van, coped ok In Switzerland at 2400meters and 20c.
Hutch.

The SatNav is not the best, turn off auto detour and its ok. .

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Hutch
Thank you for the prompt reply must admit I find the SF a tempting proposition it does tick most of my boxes, I think it looks better than the equivalent Sorrento, our Coachman is about the same weight as yours and the manual has a higher tow limit than the auto so should cope OK,size wise it is as long and wide as the Shogun just about 8'' lower and feels more car like to drive, will be going back at the weekend to check the tow bar and electrics and see how generous the dealer is prepared to be. Thanks a again

 

[Hutch]

Not a problem, one last thing, although you say it has a detachable tow hitch, there was a problem with the fixed Witter ones, they kept drooping, but Witter upped the torque on the mounting bolts, I eventually changed mine for a Tow trust one, it was slighly higher and closer to the bumper.
And Millencco grand aero mirrors fit fine on the top of the mirrors.

Go onto carwow, and se what the dealer is willing to drop to on the car, I checked it out recently and was amazed.

 

[woodsieboy]

The tow hitch is in the boot and has a Hyundai cover so I am thinking it was original fit from new, need to check the electrics, have always had fixed towbar in past, dealer has a second one at other branch, more miles but 6 months newer,without tow bar I can only seem to get new cars in carwow didn't realise they offered used ones too.

 

[Hutch]

Someone on The CC website about The SF towbar problem said the removable one didnt drop.
After a day or two carwow kept me informed on new cars and then started to send me used cars as well.
Good luck

EDIT, https://support.carwow.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/208363515-Do-you-sell-used-cars-
Hutch

 

[travellerone]

This may help. Thomas has done some outstanding reviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGmaTLk_3AA

 

[Thingy]

When we parted with our Volvo XC 70, the Santa Fe was one that we considered strongly. Its had some excellent press and I personally though the drive was decentish. What put me off in the end was the cavalier and uninterested attitude of the dealer principal and with that in mind looked elsewhere, and hey presto the Shoguns.

I really wouldnt let the Shogun and its autobox put you off, INVECSII really is very good and of course you can drive it like a manual. Tows a dream and just so comfy.

Keep the faith, buy the Shogun again.

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Thingy
I must admit I am not 100% on the Hyundai at the moment, I know the Shogun and what it can do, downside is the road tax and fuel consumption, the SF is not selectable 4wd so I would feel like somebody else was in control bit like the Shogun auto box,also Shogun is bit dearer to buy,but as I think you said somewhere else it won;t get stuck.
Will see what the weekend brings

 

[Gagakev]

Keep the faith, buy the Shogun again.

I'm with Thingy here Woodsieboy.....dont leave us

 

[Hutch]

Woodsieboy, the SF, has an FWD lock mode, which goes back into Front wheelmdrive at about 25Kph. Its good enough to get a big van out of a muddy field as long as you have good tyres,

BUT if your having it as just your caravan tug , go for the Shogun but if its the only car and using it to tow with , the Hyundai is fine.

 

[woodsieboy]

Thanks for that I have seen a video of SF off road and seems adequate for getting off a muddy pitch, we have 2 other cars and 2 vans so tow car is a bit of an indulgence does 8k miles a year and sits on drive for most of week,must admit to being torn SF appeals as easier to drive and less expensive, like for like price and mileage a Shogun would be approx 18 months older and the SF still has some manufacturers warranty left although the salesman says they rarely go wrong, will keep looking at both

 

[Hutch]

My previous SF an 08 plate , had done 130k when I got rid of it , had a couple of minor problems and One recall, another + they have a good resale value after the first 2 years deprciation.

 

[woodsieboy]

So we have done it the Shogun has gone and we have joined the Korean brigade, 2013 Santa Fe with fixed towbar sorry Thingy and Kev just couldn't bring myself to pay the extra VED and mpg, plus for the same money a Shogun would have had to be automatic and either higher mileage or 2 years older than SF, first tow at Easter will see how it goes

 

[Hutch]

Well done Woodsie boy, I hope the SF won't let you down, otherwise Kev and other Shogies will give my a lot of Hassle. Just check whose fixed tow bar you have , as I said the Witter ones used to drop, the fix was to have the 4 bolts on the cross bar made of higher tensile strength, and then fitted with a higher torque. I replaced mine with a Tow Trust , towbar.
Enjoy though.
Hutch.

 

[otherclive]

When we decided to change the Subaru Forester we looked at the Sant Fe, and it was a nice car to drive and well fitted out. The dealer though was standoffish and only offered a derogatory price for the Subaru. "There is not much call for 4x4 at this time of year sir" Excuse me but what's the Santa Fe? The other thing with the Santa Fe was that the load area wasn't totally flat, and didn't have the rear seat bases able to act as protectors for the backs of the front seats. In the end we opted for the Superb 170ps 4wd. Enormous flat load bay, 2000kg tow weight, 100kg roof load and a manual handbrake too. Enjoy your new SF.

 

[woodsieboy]

HI Hutch it is Witter, but looks new had to clean the paint off the ball,there are 4 bolts across the bit that comes up from underneath which is made from a round tube, always had box section before, hitched it to van this morning and everything worked except fridge and indicator bleeper, fridge is on 12v all the time even without engine running,and just no bleeper when indicators are working will get it checked in week and have posted in technical area, oh and another thing the handbook must be the thickest ever if you include the satnav bit

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Clive I agree with you about dealers we would have preferred to buy local but our local Hyundai dealer who had 2 suitable cars,was nowhere near as interested in selling the car as the one we bought from, maybe because they are part of a multi make dealership and big. We bought from an independent single make Hyundai dealer, much better attitude and deal was £2000 less to change.

 

[Hutch]

Woodsie, check to see if "They" have fitted the extra Earth for the fridge , charging circuits, Hyundai fitted mine without these. So on first hook up, there was no power to our Alko ATC. . If the tow bar has dropped you will notice it a being not level looking. Sorry I have no photos any more. Also the Witter tow bar is about 2 inches further away from the bumper with the alko hitch.
Check out CC website on SF tow bar. Maybe still there.
Changed mine to a Towsure after years hassle with Hyundai and Witter, kept the same electrics,

 

[saint-spoon]

I'm a SF person as well. 2010. I think that it is a great car and it tows a treat IMO.