Hyundai has narrowed the gap between its entry-level seven-seat Santa Fe and the mid-range Elite, offering more kit for families on a budget.

    The Active X helps fill the gaping chasm between the $8000 gap between Active variants and their Elite counterparts. It arrives just months before a significantly redesigned model reaches Australian showrooms.

    Like the Tucson Active X, the Santa Fe Active X takes the base model of the range and adds niceties like more kid-suited leather trim and larger, 18-inch alloy wheels.

    As with the existing Active, Elite and Highlander variants, the Active X is available with a choice of two powertrains – a petrol and a diesel, priced at $47,020 and $50,050 before on-road costs, respectively.

    Over the Active, the Active X adds the aforementioned leather upholstery, as well as proximity entry with push-button start, front parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers and privacy glass.

    There are also convenience features like a cooled glovebox, puddle lamps integrated in the power folding exterior mirrors and exterior courtesy lights. Other touches include satin chrome-finished exterior door handles and the Elite’s nicer, knit roof lining.

    If you aren’t fussed on black interiors, you can select the dark beige option for an extra $295.

    These features were previously only available from the Elite model upwards, priced at $51,000 and $54,000 before on-road costs, though the Elite still makes the case for the extra spend with features not available on the Active X. These include satellite navigation, a power tailgate, and power front seats.

    Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite is standard across the Santa Fe range. It includes autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning and pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.

    All Santa Fe models also come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though Active and Active X models make do with a 7.0-inch unit while the Elite and Highlander have an 8.0-inch unit.

    The Santa Fe’s naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre petrol V6 produces 206kW of power and 336Nm of torque and is front-wheel drive, while the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine produces 147kW of power and 440Nm of torque and is all-wheel drive. Both engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

    For more information on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, check out our pricing and specs article.

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

    Buy and Lease
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers