The Santa Fe used to dominate the “cheap and good” seven-seater SUV segment in Singapore, but the market has moved on. Even though the updates to this four-year-old model manage to extend its shelf life, it’s ultimately out of touch with the current crossover wave that the latest Tucson, for example, is riding on. Simply put, this huge Hyundai is an old car renewed, which is not quite good enough to get the better of its two challengers in this story.
The Chevrolet Captiva is a year younger than the original Santa Fe, but it also feels out of its depth here. American pretensions aside, the Chevy impresses with its interior versatility, go-anywhere grip, relaxing ride and honest-to-goodness character. These merits are, however, offset by the patchy quality, weak engine and lack of additional air-con blowers for the back seats. At the end of the day, the Captiva is more fascinating than the Santa Fe but a whole lot less captivating than the Sorento.
Yet again, up-and-coming Kia delivers another winner in the face of serious competition. Even though the car stumbles (often literally) in terms of handling and braking, it shines nearly everywhere else – be it on-board equipment, day-to-day practicality, build quality or styling. The comparatively high price of the Sorento SX is a bummer, but you can “save” $10k by specifying the EX model, which comes with fewer niceties (e.g. halogen instead of xenon headlights, black instead of tan leather upholstery, no motorised driver’s seat and a simpler stereo). In fact, the Sorento EX would make an even more convincing case in the context of this article.
Hyundai Sante Fe 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 2359cc
Bore x stroke 88mm x 97mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Max Power 174bhp at 6000rpm
Max Torque 226Nm at 3750rpm
Power to weight 104.2bhp/tonne
Gearbox 6-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 11.5 seconds
Top Speed 187km/h
Consumption 10.8km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Kumho Solus KL21
Size 235/65 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction Control ABS only
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4660mm
Width 1890mm
Height 1725mm
Wheelbase 2700mm
Kerb Weight 1670kg
Turning Circle 10.8m
BUYING IT
Price $104,399 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Largely tasteful facelift throughout, straightforward controls, generally sturdy construction
– Jiggly ride, strangely uncomfortable driver’s seat, cabin more economy class than business class
Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 2405cc
Bore x stroke 87.5mm x 100mm
Compression ratio 9.6:1
Max Power 136bhp at 5000rpm
Max Torque 220Nm at 2200rpm
Power to weight 76.8bhp/tonne
Gearbox 5-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels All
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 12.5 seconds
Top Speed 178km/h
Consumption 9.6km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / rear Discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Hankook DynaPro HP
Size 235/60 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction Control ABS only
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4635mm
Width 1870mm
Height 1755mm
Wheelbase 2705mm
Kerb Weight 1770kg
Turning Circle 12.1m
BUYING IT
Price $111,499 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Smoothest and quietest ride, clever storage ideas, one-hand operation for third row access
– Unusually underpowered engine, unimpressive cabin quality, poor ergonomics in places
Kia Sorento 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 2359cc
Bore x stroke 88mm x 97mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Max Power 174bhp at 6000rpm
Max Torque 226Nm at 3750rpm
Power to weight 101.2bhp/tonne
Gearbox 6-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 11.1 seconds
Top Speed 186km/h
Consumption 12.7km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Kumho Solus KL21
Size 235/60 R18
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction Control ABS and ESC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4685mm
Width 1885mm
Height 1710mm
Wheelbase 2700mm
Kerb Weight 1720kg
Turning Circle 10.9m
BUYING IT
Price $117,999 incl. COE
Warranty 5 years/unlimited km
+ Handsome appearance, highly practical interior with plenty of equipment, smooth blend of abilities
– Clumsy handling requires a firm hand, “heavy” braking, inconvenient access to the third row
