The brand new Hyundai Santa Fe represents probably the most revolutionary redesigns lately, with a good-looking if forgettable design changed by what’s greatest described because the love youngster of a Ford Flex, an Ioniq 5 and a few kind of Land Rover. For a humble household hauler, its design is daring and even controversial. Yay, good for Hyundai. Protected design is boring.
I wish to speak about one key component of that redesign, although. As you may clearly inform, the brand new Santa Fe is rather a lot boxier than its predecessor and certainly most of its opponents. As we have discovered time and time once more right here on This Previous Baggage Check, boxy is healthier on the subject of stowing baggage behind a car. Formally, the Santa Fe is listed as having 14.6 cubic-feet behind it is third row, which is properly off the tempo of many three-row crossovers, however then the Santa Fe can also be significantly smaller than many three-row crossovers. If you would like one thing greater, Hyundai will promote you a Palisade.
I can affirm that there’s extra space within the Palisade’s third row, even when the Santa Fe is surprisingly OK for adults (so long as the second row scoots their seat up, which should not be a problem as there ought to nonetheless be loads of room up there). However what about cargo house? What is the sensible distinction between the 14.6-cubic-foot Santa Fe and the 18-cubic-foot Palisade? Additionally, how does it evaluate to different three-row autos, together with the mechanically associated Kia Sorento? (Comply with these hyperlinks for his or her baggage assessments)
I believe these three pics are very telling. Santa Fe prime, Palisade decrease left, Sorento decrease proper.
Observe that the Palisade has an extended cargo space ground. Observe that the Sorento’s cargo ground size is much like the Santa Fe’s. BUT! Discover how a lot boxier the Santa Fe is in comparison with each. Particularly, it does not taper inward because the Sorento’s does.
For the report, the Sorento and Santa Fe have nearly the identical third-row legroom determine, so the overall floor-space dimensions are related. It is up excessive the place the Santa Fe nearly actually enjoys its 2-cubic-foot benefit over its Kia platform mate (12.6 cubic-feet)
Just like the Palisade, the Santa Fe has a reclining third row, and never solely that, it reclines fairly generously. Usually, I set the recline to an angle I deem snug earlier than testing. I’m doing that right here, however I’m additionally going with a barely extra upright angle I might deem “tolerable” as I’ve on a couple of different events. You’ll be able to see the distinction above. I examined with each angles.
That is the underfloor house, so this wasn’t any assist for storing baggage. It is also nearly an identical to what you’d discover beneath the Sorento’s cargo ground.
The Palisade’s underfloor house doesn’t have the jack and so forth. in it, however I deemed it to be extra for storage than further baggage house. The Palisade was truly my first baggage check publish, although, and I’ve usually puzzled if I may’ve made the underfloor house work. The ground is not detachable, although, so I believe it may hamper loading. Once more, in all probability one thing to retest. Both method, that is the disclaimer.
Let’s get to Santa Fe Check 1 with the third row at “consolation angle.” As with each Baggage Check, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that might should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 huge, 11 deep), two black roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller inexperienced roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
That is the largest and smallest curler baggage. The Sorento managed one of many medium curler baggage and the small curler baggage. I attempted to place fancy bag on prime of the inexperienced one, however the liftgate smashed it.
So, with third-row passengers being A-OK snug, that is what you may handle. Higher than the Sorento, however method lower than the Palisade (4 largest baggage) and certainly nearly all the opposite three-row crossover SUVs I’ve examined. Once more, although, the Santa Fe is smaller than these on goal.
Now lets put the third row on the “tolerable recline” angle.
Two choices right here. The one on the left is the 2 largest baggage and the smallest curler. It is awfully perilous, although, because the inexperienced bag WILL fall out after I open the tailgate. Look out under! It additionally blocks the rearview, however you may nonetheless see out the left facet and this Santa Fe has a rearview digicam mirror, so we’re OK on visibility. The headrests and seatback maintain the inexperienced bag from flying ahead, too.
Nonetheless, the one on the correct equals extra quantity and a greater use of the house. This is among the large baggage, a medium curler, the small curler and fancy bag. That is higher than the Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-90 may handle, each utilizing what I might contemplate a “snug” seating angle although that is clearly so-not a scientific determine.
Against this, the Palisade may maintain the 4 largest baggage, so it unquestionably and unsurprisingly enjoys a cargo benefit. Nonetheless, the Santa Fe did significantly better than I used to be anticipating given its quick cargo space size. Boxy is as soon as once more higher, or at the very least, helpful.
Now, for every little thing that may’t match, the Santa Fe XRT consists of these nice raised roof rails. No want to purchase proprietary cross bars and screw into mounting factors in what are principally faux rails. You should utilize your personal tools that is simple to take on and off, together with between autos. This makes it simpler to mount a cargo field on prime.
However, that is not all …
The Santa Fe has these distinctive field doorways on all sides. Push them in to disclose a seize deal with under. Seize onto it, put a foot on the tire and hoist your self up for loading no matter onto the roof. This positive looks as if an incredible function (although I’m curious as to how a lot gunk may accumulate in right here through the years). The Santa Fe will also be outfitted with a trailer hitch for hitch-based cargo options, be it a motorcycle rack or Yakima’s nifty Exo system.
Personally, I would relatively have these options readily available to increase my car’s cargo capability for these occasions after I actually want it and revel in the advantages of a smaller car the remainder of the time than going with an enormous, Palisade-sized car on a regular basis. The distinction actually is not that a lot. I actually dig the Santa Fe’s measurement, packaging, and yep, boxiness.