2014 Hyundai Maxcruz Grand Santa Fe
Versatility is always a great thing to incorporate into any new automobile. The ability of a carmaker to fulfill many different needs with one single model is key to success; that’s the reason why minivans are engineered to have flexible interior arrangements and why SUVs are taking the backseat to the rise of crossovers.
What would you get, however, if a carmaker chose to bridge the gaps between the SUV, the crossover and the minivan?
The 2014 Hyundai MaxCruz Grand Santa Fe
Technically the Grand Santa Fe a long-wheelbase version of the Santa Fe (2800mm wheelbase for the Grand SF, 2700mm for the SF), and is positioned to take the place of the now-discontinued Hyundai Veracruz.
Style-wise, the Max Cruz Grand Santa Fe has a virtually identical front end to its smaller sibling, though the lower bumper gets reshaped foglamps. The chiseled look is derived from Hyundai’s Storm Edge design language, the next phase of the company’s design revolution that began with Fluidic Sculpture.
Move over to the side, however, and the difference is clear, as the Grand SF is clearly longer at 4915mm over the SF (+225mm), has a larger rear quarter window, and has a redesigned rear end that has a more vertical tailgate. Width has grown to 1885mm (+5mm) and so has the height to 1700mm (+10mm). What’s significant though is the increase in the overhangs as Hyundai added 30mm in front and 95mm in the back; it will be interesting to see how the Grand SF handles the extra overhangs.
Inside the difference is clearer, as Hyundai gave the Grand SF a far more premium interior. The dashboard may be the same, but the upholster has been significantly upped a notch with brown leather. Also the Grand Santa Fe is a six-seater crossover (2-2-2), as the middle row has been removed in favor of a pair of luxurious captain’s seats (much like on the Toyota Alphard, minus the ottoman) that, coupled with the sunshades for the rear doors, makes these the best seats in the house. There’s also a narrow aisle in between the captain’s seats to make ingress to the back easier, though the middle seats can be leaned forward to allow for direct entry. The extended body also makes more cargo space available in the back with the rear seats up.
The list of standard features is also long as it includes niceties such as the touchscreen audio unit, six speakers, dual zone climate control, power seats, anti-lock brakes, traction control, hill descent control, hill start assist, cruise control, a smart key and many more. Hyundai also fitted their new flagship crossover with a large panoramic roof should you wish to see more of the sky as you travel. We would contend, however, that on a vehicle designed and intended to be as luxurious as this that a DVD unit should be standard along with rear headrest monitors.
At the heart of the Grand Santa Fe is the same, class leading 2.2 liter R-eVGT diesel engine. This powerplant makes 197 PS of power and 437 Nm of torque thanks to the CRDI system and the advanced VGT. The two combine to produce exceptional power and torque from a relatively small 2.2L; to put that in perspective, the 2.2L TDCI VGT in the 2014 Ford Ranger makes just 150 PS and 375 Nm while the larger 2.5L D-4D VGT in the 2014 Toyota Fortuner only makes 144 PS and 343 Nm. Also standard in the Grand Santa Fe is 4WD and as a 6-speed automatic with manual mode.
Korean variant. Full options
7-seater full-size SUV
Hyundai Blue link system
Full panoramic roof
2nd row captain’s seats
Automatic foldable 3rd row bench seats
Tan leather interior
200-hp e-VGT diesel engine
6-speed automatic
Eco and Sports Mode
Hill assist
Led Projector Headlights
Led tail lights
19-inch wheels
Power and heated seats
Spacious Legroom
Cruise control
Touch screen system
Automatic tailgate
49,000 kilometers
Excellent running condition
Newly-serviced
Complete documents, ready to transfer to the next owner
Selling for only 898,000
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