Hyundai Santa Fe XRT's Adventure: Battling Terrains - Journey from Warburton to Woods Point
New Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Test Drive: Exploring Victoria's Rugged Terrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT has been put to the test, venturing out of Melbourne and into the inhospitable parts of Victoria. The route chosen for this adventure took the Santa Fe XRT through the Yarra Ranges, offering a challenging and scenic journey.
The Santa Fe XRT Calligraphy trim, in six-seat guise, weighs 2105kg and is equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering a total system torque of 367Nm. The transmission is a 6-speed automatic, providing smooth shifts throughout the journey.
The test drive route included various terrains, beginning with jarring dirt roads that tested the Santa Fe XRT's capabilities. After 25km, a serpentine, seven-kilometre stretch of smooth hotmix offered a welcome respite, showcasing the vehicle's ability to handle both rough and smooth surfaces.
The route out to the small locality of Cambarville climbs and falls as it follows the spine of the Yarra Ranges. Cambarville, named after two sawmill owners, A. Cameron and F.J. Barton, who set up shop in the 1940s, is now the gateway to huge pine plantations and one of the loveliest stretches of road for miles.
Cambarville, like the nearby town of Matlock, has a history of being devastated by fires. Matlock, formerly the thriving gold mining community of Emerald Hill, is located at 1213m above sea level. At its peak, back in the 1860s, Matlock had about 300 residents and sprawled across the plateau.
The A.1 mine in the locale is still operating, run by Kaiser Reef. The Morning Star mine, though, was the heart of the original community, producing some 883,000oz of gold before closing in 2023.
The test drive continued through Reefton Spur road, a challenging 20km stretch with 180 bends, ascending 632 meters, and is usually devoid of traffic. This section of the C511, despite considerable conjecture, was not laid by Australian Army engineers ahead of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, as rumored.
The reintroduction to dirt consisted of a pock-marked cluster of potholes that fire water over the Santa Fe's windscreen. This section of the route caused vibration and instability in the Santa Fe XRT, testing its off-road capabilities.
The XRT's bigger issue is that the accessories add cost to what is already a fairly pricey vehicle. Adding the XRT accessories takes a few percent off the all-up price and adds considerably more in terms of extra ability. The XRT Adventure option pack includes wheels, tyres, suspension, underbody skid plate, and mud flaps for $6,990. The XRT suspension kit features new hub carriers, stabilizer bars, springs, and longer stroke HL Mando shock absorbers, delivering 30mm of extra ground clearance over a standard Santa Fe.
The model tested is the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid w/ XRT Peak option pack. The price, as tested, is $86,515. The max power is 172kW @ 5600rpm and the max torque is 367Nm @ 1000-4100rpm. The economy is 6.1L/100km (tested).
The new Santa Fe XRT is now on sale, offering a unique blend of luxury and off-road capability. Despite its high price tag, the Santa Fe XRT provides an exciting driving experience, perfect for those seeking adventure in Victoria's rugged terrain.
