The primary standard equipment safety upgrades for the base SX model include the addition of traction control to the current suite of safety features, which includes stability control, antilock brakes, and electronic brakeforce distribution. Other changes include front and rear curtain airbags and front side airbags in addition to the previous standard dual front airbags.

Comfort, convenience and appearance upgrades
The SX also carries over its 17-inch alloy wheels, five-passenger seating, blue-hue instrumentation and six-speaker audio system. A standard roof rack system features 'one-touch' sliding bars to make adjusting for large or small loads easier. The new range also gets a redesigned chrome grille to distinguish it from the previous model.

Mid-range SLX models add to the SX's features with a new fully automatic dual-zone climate control system, third-row seating offering seven-passenger capability, a cool box, mesh sport seats, a trip computer and heated mirrors. Front fog lamps give the car a visual distinction from its lower-spec sibling, while heated side mirrors prevent fogging in cool conditions.

Topping the range is the Elite trim, which adds power front seats, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, an up-rated seven-speaker audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and leather seating surfaces.

Updated powertrain package
Three engines are available, with three transmissions to match, though the larger petrol engine is only available in remaining stock from the previous model. The one diesel, a 2.2-litre CRDi turbo diesel mated to an all-wheel drive system and available with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic, produces 114kW at its peak, and 343Nm of torque between 1,800rpm and 2,500rpm.

The petrol models differ significantly in displacement and drivetrain configuration. The smaller 2.7-litre V6 offers all-wheel drive and 138kW of power applied through either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The 3.3-litre V6 from 2007 is only available in two-wheel drive, and will only be sold until existing stocks are gone. It will be replaced by a new model with a similar displacement in the fourth quarter.

More fuel efficient model in the works
Hyundai is currently working on its next-generation of SUV models, which are expected to first appear in overseas markets around 2010. The replacement for the Santa Fe will retain its current engine lineup but a smaller and more fuel-efficient 2.4-litre petrol engine dubbed the Theta II will be available in the SUV model for the first time.

The engine currently resides in the Sonata sedan, where it musters a respectable 118.5kW and 219Nm of torque. When launched in the next-generation Santa Fe, the four-cylinder engine will also be available with a new six-speed automatic transmission in place of the current model’s five-speed unit.  

Hyundai Australia is yet to confirm details about a new four-cylinder petrol engine option for the Santa Fe. However, a spokesman for the company said sales of the current 2.2-litre CRDi four-cylinder turbodiesel had seen a spike in the past two months with customers attracted by the vehicle’s frugal 7.3L/100km fuel economy (8.2L/100km for the automatic).
  

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