Is the new Hyundai Santa Fe the car of our dreams?
Is the new Hyundai Santa Fe the car of our dreams?
Most people fall into the category of square or circle, that is, do you like a rectangular-faced watch or oval? Personally, I go weak at the knees for sharp corners, straight lines and boxy objects, so when the new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe debuted this year, it was love at first sight.
A powerful presence turning heads wherever it passes, leaving blank stares in its wake as the question is mouthed, what kind of car is that? We know the ‘it girl’ on the streets of the GC has been the SUV for some time, packing all the space of the ‘dare we say it’ minivan, but with a cool factor.
Hey, there’s no judgement here if that SUV has never been beyond the realms of a shopping centre car park and a paved driveway, it’s serving its purpose for you.
While the chunky SUV’s a-la Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler have got buyers lining up for the rough and tough style in a vehicle, who wouldda thunk the tech-savvy Koreans at Hyundai would be throwing their hat into the ring, and with a hybrid 7-seater Santa Fe no less.
So why is it causing a fuss?
Previous Santa Fe models have blended in amonst the mid-size SUV landscape with most punters unable to give you many standout features, so boy have they gone all out on this one to grab your attention, keep you longingly gazing and give you a wink on the way out.
I recently took the Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy (the duck’s nuts of the range) for a test drive and following you will find my highlights of this stunning game changer.
Fun exterior design features include 10 exterior colour options (my pick of the bunch is the Earthy Brass Matte, which says dirty but not actual dirt thankyou), a beefy welcome to my front bumper vibe, iconic H headlights as a cute reminder you’re driving a Hyundai and impressive dark 20” alloy wheels so you never have to keep them clean.
One fun addition, people are losing their mind over (not for me) is a sneakily hidden handle to assist your climb to the roof, if you’re a roof rack storing kind of person.
Now onto the car door, I like to hear a thwump, not a tink, when I operate a door, so I can feel a decent amount of metal in it, safety first everyone, so big ticks there.
If you were impressed with the powerful presence and rugged exterior of this long wheelbase vehicle, wait till you feast your eyes inside the refined and dreamy soft interior.
You’ll first be in awe of the most luxurious two tone Nappa Leather appointed seats in 3 delicious colourways (my pick is the Pecan Brown, more interesting than Black Ink, and more forgiving than Supersonic Gray, knowing very well a spray tan will never come off that seat) featuring stunning diamond cross feature panels begging the question again… is this a Hyundai?
Then you’ll cast your eyes across the HUGE 12.3” multimedia touchscreen featuring everything from SatNav, weather updates, phone connectivity, radio and media pushing through a pumping BOSE premium sound system, the list goes on, but all within easy reach without being distracting to your journey.
And you know what else isn’t distracting to your journey, DUAL WIRELESS CHARGERS! That’s right, no longer do you need to fight over who has the least battery to earn the right to the charger cable (sidenote, also ugly), you simply place your phone (mine worked in its case) on top of the middle console side-by-side chargers and Bob’s your uncle.
Happy wife, happy life.
A unique feature which has been included for the germaphobes out there (thank you COVID), is a UV-C steralisation tray, above the glove box. You’ll find a pull down panel, which can be used for your frequently used items like a phone, your sunglasses etc, pop them in, hit the UV-C sterilisation button and presto, your items are rid of bacteria. Pretty cool huh?
One of the bigger selling points of the interior is the incredible amount of room offered for 7 seats (there is also a 6 seater option too!). The back row folds down to become practically flat, allowing maximum wide tailgate space for fitting bulky junk in this trunk or you can even convert into a decent space for couples to picnic/camp in. And with the giant moon roof above you, it makes for a sweet date night out.
Finally, I’ll get to the juicy stuff, what’s under the hood… a 1.6T-GDi Hybrid 6-speed automatic AWD comes standard across the range (with whispers of a 2.5 litre engine in the works).
Driving this robust vehicle may look like it could be clunky, in actual fact the Santa Fe’s steering softly floats like a butterfly with a kick when accelerating.
While an entry into the Monaco Grand Prix isn’t on the cards, it has suitable guts for city commuting and hitting the Pacific Highway without hurting the hip pocket thanks to its lower fuel consumption, and the planet will thank you.
All in all, the brand spanking new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy is a Gold Coast gals dream mobile combining striking eye candy street appeal with a luxe interior.
Words by Carly King
Images by Carly King
STORY SPONSORED BY ROBINA HYUNDAI
If there’s one place on the Gold Coast where you can shop till you drop, eat your body weight in quality nosh, do some srsly cool stuff, and wander amongst stunning natural parklands, it’s Robina. There’s also a hospital, a train station and a sports stadium, one of which is exciting enough to make our list (hint; it’s not the hospital or the train station).
In honour of this central GC gem, we’ve compiled a list of 14 reasons why Robina peeps love their ‘burb, and why wider GC locals travel en masse to experience all it has to offer.
Pasta Emporium
With their Euro background and extensive experience in the food industry, mum and daughter duo Natalie and Sonia have created an artisan pasta boutique store like no other. Made with a high-quality durum wheat semolina (rich in fibre, protein, vitamin B and also digestion friendly), their fresh-as pasta can be paired with a selection of nasty-free slow cooked sauces. The.Best!
Where: Easy T Centre, 514 Christine Avenue, Robina
Palmer Golf Course
Carved out of 65 hectares of native woodlands with fairways lined by towering gum trees, this uniquely designed course is in the top 30 resort courses in the country #noice. A 6078-meter, 18-hole, Par 71 championship golf course (Aust Course Rating 72) designed by the Marsh / Watson team, its rolling fairways, manicured greens, towering eucalyptus and natural water course make it a local and visitor fave.
Where: Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
Zone Bowling / Timezone
This dual-branded entertainment venue is an uber-exciting entertainment experience, combining Zone Bowling and Timezone in one renovated super space. Perfect for a birthday of any vintage and for corporate functions, you’ll find ten pin bowling, the latest arcade games, a laser tag arena with a ‘futurism/apocalyptic robots’ theme, and super fun spin zone bumper cars (coming later this year). Just yay!!!
Where: Robina Town Centre, 1 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
My French Pastries
A venue called My French Pastries needs no introduction but since it’s amongst the cream of the crop here on the GC, we’ll give them one anyway. Jen and Antonio Marchesi have created something really spesh with French pastries made from scratch. Think key lime Chantilly, lemon meringue, blueberry and chocolate tarts, and if you’re not salivating, you must be unwell. A special shout-out must go to the scrumptious savoury goodies, providing a well-rounded experience for your tastebuds.
Where: Robina Quays Shopping Centre, 5/361 Robina Parkway, Robina
Eddy + Wolff
The trendiest of the Robina bunch, Eddy + Wolff opened in early 2019 bringing exceptional, modern Asian eats to the people. It’s a sleek, 22-seat venue serving up ten-outta-ten eats, just like it’s northern brother from the same mother, Can Tho Kitchen at Runaway Bay. The menu features BBQ-style dishes, snacks, larger plates and sides, all of which are designed to share and hail from Thao and Vien’s home country of Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea to name a few. The drinks list is tight and perfectly curated to match the food with an unmissable lemon sake. An absolute fave.
Where: 44 Commerce Drive, Robina
The Kitchens
Fact; foodie marketplace-style situations are one of life’s greatest gifts. The Kitchens is precisely that, with an array of exceptional venues all in the one beautifully appointed area. Think tasty teppanyaki, big ‘ole burgers, a vegan foodie venue and even a craft beer bar offering delicious eats to name a few. There is more choice here than you can poke a stick at and bonus; it’s attached to one of the region’s best shopping centres #UnicornsDoExist.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
El Camino Cantina
A good time Mexi-joint at Robina Town Centre, what’s not to love? Rocking one of the most colour-filled interiors you ever did see, a menu packed with family-friendly Mex-cellent eats, and frozen margaritas, it’s love at first sight/bite/sip. The legendary venue is one of seven Queensland restaurants, synonymous with funky neon signage, sweet sombreros, and an all-round winning ambience. Gather the crew and get on it.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
CBUS Super Stadium
Home of our beloved Titans, CBUS Super Stadium is one of the best regional stadiums in Australia and it’s ours, all ours (insert wicked snigger). Not only do Gold Coasters spend their weekends cheering on the boys here, but we’ve also been lucky enough to watch A-league and international football games, the Nitro Circus, and the Rugby 7s as part of the Commonwealth Games. High five to CBUS for being our homegrown hub of sporting joy.
Where: Centreline Place, Robina
Robina Pavilion
A tried and tested (regularly. Very regularly….) favourite, Robina Pav features a sleek look’n’feel, dreamy deck overlooking the water, a specialised kids area, and plenty of good vibes. Boasting a menu packed with epic eats from woodfired pizzas to stacked burgers, it would be rude not to get involved with the impressive cocktail menu #IfWeMust. It’s the perfect spot for sun-soaked afternoon sessions with you posse.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
Robina Parkway Dog Park
Obviously one for the locals with hairy mates but if you live further afield and have a furry friend in tow, we highly recommend. There are all kinds of fun things for your doggo to explore including tunnels and hurdles, and they’re bound to make a new buddy or two in the process. If you don’t have a pooch, get down there anyway and score free pats a-plenty #GoodForTheSoul.
Where: Lot 21, Robina Parkway, Robina
Parkway Coffee
Ahh Parkway Coffee how we love thee and your equally irresistible sibling Third Base in Palmy. Like its southern sister, this Robina crowd pleaser offers similar laidback community vibes, and also serves up the same level of tasty brunch eats. Their Reuban Toastie with beef pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, gherkins, and thousand island dressing on golden toasted sourdough is the perf example of Parkway’s culinary prowess. Pair your feed with some quality time in the garden…and day made.
Where: Robina Quays, 361 Robina Parkway, Robina
Cheltenham Park
If open spaces and oodles of greenery, in the middle of a city no less, is your thing (yes please), Cheltenham Park is the business. There are plenty of areas for the kids – human and fury – to run themselves ragged (#yeahmums!) bushwalking tracks, and big leafy trees to stretch out beneath with a picnic and your favourite people. Perfect for escaping the rat race without chewing through the petrol in search of a tree change.
Where: Cheltenham Drive, Robina
The Sporting Globe
The spacious, sports-themed bar and restaurant made a big splash on Robina Town Centre when it first moved in and continues to do so in 2023. Within The Sporting Globe there are no less than 50 high definition screens including two 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so yeah nah, you’re not missing a single second of the action. They’re also serving up perfect sport-watching food, frosty bronsons galore, and an all-round cracking good atmosphere. It’s a sure thing.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Alpine Indoor Climbing
Robina’s state-of-the-art climbing centre is positively R.A.D if you’re somewhat of an adrenalin junkie, or someone looking for a new sporty-spice-esk challenge. Alpine Indoor Climbing is a favourite amongst both professional and beginner climbers (including those lacking in coordination, AKA us). There are varying levels of challenges and you can go across, straight up, or anyway you like really, and there are cushioned pads underneath should you lose your grip. Good times.
Where: 86 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Words by Bianca Trathen.
