Relaxed motorway cruising. Comfortable ride. Excellent on very rough tracks. Available with seven seats. Good value. Much improved from 2010 with new 2.2-litre diesel. - For more news, reviews and Top Tens, visit 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander Diesel AWD Discover Auto Rating: 8.3/10. Hyundai has crafted a brilliant family car in the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander Diesel AWD. It’s competent on the road, has a practical, high quality and lovely interior, is priced and equipped sharply and is easy on fuel. We’d definitely pick the diesel option Economical & reliable car. The car rides well although on the soft side. Brakes are good but the standard front brake pads create a lot of dust . I have taken the Santa Fe on some hilly slippery trails & it has performed well.for a soft roader. The 5 speed tranny is a bit agricultural at times but does the job. Hyundai. The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe still remained unchanged, for the most part, from some of the earlier model years, even when it came to its towing capacity. These vehicles were still able to achieve an impressive 3,500 pound maximum rating, if your vehicle was equipped with the right options and if your trailer was equipped with its own brakes. The Santa Fe Highlander is powered by Hyundai’s new 2.2-litre R-Series turbo-diesel engine, which drives all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission (there is no manual available for Engine braking is quite poor, the Santa Fe’s relatively low-compression (for a diesel) and free-revving nature working against it for when you need engine braking. THE BOTTOM LINE The Santa Fe Series II is still a competitive player in the medium-capacity SUV tow-vehicle market, with its new features and driver-assist technology keeping it fresh. Hyundais traditionally suffer from electrical issues and this SUV is no different, with components such as the powered seats affected. Even when it's working correctly, the stereo isn't that good Heaps more power than my 3.0 L diesel Toyota Hilux Surf. Very comfortable to drive with great fuel economy ( 5.9 L/100kms @90kph on motorway). More than enough power towing my 1800kg boat over the hills between Auckland and Little Huia ( Manukau Heads) and launching off the beach. The old version scored a 7.9/10 rating; its highlights including space, equipment and V6 lust. Lowlights are thirst, traction and third-row spatial concerns. Let’s check out how today’s fruiter and pricier version fares. WATCH: Paul’s video review of the MY21 Santa Fe Highlander Diesel AWD. In 2010, Hyundai refreshed the Santa Fe (pictured) with two new engines. The 2.7-liter V6 was replaced by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 175 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque. tJr2ijh.