Latest news with #HyundaiSantaFeHybrid
Herald Sun
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
Aussie parents are splurging on new cars
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring. Followed categories will be added to My News. 'Thud-thud-thud.' The ultrasound confirmed two things: I was having a baby, and I desperately needed a car with 17 cup holders and five-star safety. Suddenly, my trusty old sedan felt like a deathtrap. No rear air vents. No boot space. And absolutely no way it was going to handle a pram, let alone a scooter, nappy bag, and the crushing weight of my new mental load. Like many expecting mums, I was hit by the overwhelming, rather irrational urge to upgrade my entire life. And that started with my ride. You've probably heard of nesting - the biological instinct that turns otherwise normal people into midnight drawer organisers, onesie washers and freezer-meal warriors. Well, for a growing number of Aussies, that instinct has now extended to the driveway. More Aussies than ever are upgrading their car before they have a baby. Picture: Supplied Because in 2025, baby prep goes beyond painting the nursery. It's about finding the safest, roomiest and most reliable car to bring your new human home in. And the numbers back it up. More Aussies than ever are upgrading their vehicles as their families grow, with 16 per cent listing it as their main reason for buying a new car - up from 11 per cent in 2021 according to Carsales. The data also reveals new families with kids under six care less about engine size or power… probably because hauling little ones, groceries, and a small army's worth of gear doesn't require drag-race speeds. So, what are they buying? SUVs - or as I like to call them, people movers with perks. Turns out we're a nation obsessed. In fact, these roomy rides make up around 60 per cent of all new vehicles sold, and it's easy to see why. They offer height, safety, and enough boot space to haul half the house. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Kia Sorento Hybrid. Picture: Mark Bean And they come with features such as 'baby modes', built in rear sunshades, rear-seat reminders and seats that fold all the way down for a spontaneous roadside nap. In Australia, brands like Kia, Hyundai and Volvo are leading the way with clever features designed for parents, from quiet cabin tech to pram-friendly boots, integrated child seat anchors and hands-free tailgate that open with a swipe of your foot. Here are some of the most popular, all boasting a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Toyota is leading the charge with the award-winning RAV4 - crowned Australia's most popular SUV. A spacious cabin with clever storage and a massive safety focus. Featuring smart pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection technology, Active Cruise Control and Road Sign Assist. Toyota also takes second and third place with the iconic LandCruiser and Prado. While the Ford Everest is also a popular pick. 2025 BYD Sealion 7. Picture: Mark Bean Electric vehicles are also cruising into the baby bubble. Tesla's Model Y and the BYD Sealion 7 were the top two selling EVs in the first six months of this year - both mid-size SUVs targeted at families. The big question is - if you're expecting, do you really need a new car? It's easy to get swept up in the baby vortex, where suddenly your old car feels wildly unfit for the job ahead. Plenty of parents make it work with hatchbacks and clever boot Tetris. But for those of us deep in the nesting phase, a trip to the dealership feels just as essential as the trip to the hospital. I didn't need 59 muslin wraps, 15 booties or an electric bottle warmer. And technically, I probably didn't need a brand-new SUV either. But when you're facing sleepless nights, an avalanche of baby gear, and endless unknowns, sometimes it feels like a safer, bigger car is one of the few things you can control. For me, in an ironic twist, the new car ended up delayed for months due to a parts shortage. Well past my baby's due date. But hey, if parenthood has taught me anything, it's this: sometimes you just have to buckle up, grab a double shot coffee, and embrace the chaos… preferably from the comfy seat of a family-sized SUV. Originally published as Forget the pram: New parents are splurging on this instead
TimesLIVE
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid arrives in South Africa
The vehicle is fitted with Hyundai's SmartSense driver assistance suite which includes features such as driver attention warning, blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance (including junction assist), lane-follow assist and a rear occupant alert. The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is available at local dealerships, priced at R1,249,900. The purchase includes a seven-year/200,000km warranty, a six-year/90,000km service plan, and an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the hybrid battery.
TimesLIVE
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid arrives in Mzansi
The vehicle is fitted with Hyundai's SmartSense driver assistance suite which includes features such as driver attention warning, blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance (including junction assist), lane-follow assist and a rear occupant alert. The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is available at local dealerships, priced at R1,249,900. The purchase includes a seven-year/200,000km warranty, a six-year/90,000km service plan, and an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the hybrid battery.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Could a rumbling sound be from my tires?
Q: I have a 2015 Hyundai that is still like new. However I get a rumbling noise, I think from my tires. It is most noticeable if the road is not perfectly smooth. Do you agree, or could the sound be from something else? I am ready to replace the tires. Any suggestions? A: The tires could certainly give you a rumbling noise. If you run your hand over the tires and the tread feels slightly scalloped, it is likely the source of the noise. Also, if the tires are the original, at 10 years old it is time for replacement. The other possibility is that the suspension could be starting to age. It is possible the struts or strut mounts are wearing and making a rumbling over uneven roads. Q: I just purchased a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. It is my first non-American vehicle. I was wondering about your opinion of the car. I probably should have asked before I purchased it. Also, what are your suggestions for maintenance? The manual indicates there is no maintenance required for the transmission, which I find a little strange. In the past, I always changed the transmission fluid at 30,000-mile intervals and the AWD transfer case at 35,000 miles. Is there anything on which I should focus? A: The Hyundai Santa Fe is a very good vehicle, with styling that is somewhat polarizing. Some people love the Land Rover Defender look, while some think it is too boxy. But overall, it's a very good vehicle with a great warranty. The vehicle is well designed with a full complement of advanced driver assistance technology. Regarding maintenance, follow the suggestions in the owner's manual, which says servicing is required every 8,000 miles. Q: What do you think of this latest GM V-8 engine recall that is affecting nearly 1 million vehicles? Do you think it is because GM is focusing too much on electric cars and not gasoline cars? A: I do not think it has anything to do with GM's EV program, but when I read about this recall, it does make me wonder what is happening. GM has been building the L87 V-8 engine (6.2 liter) for nearly 20 years. You would think at this point this engine would be flawless. Q: I had an oil change done today, and now my speedometer is reading too high. Side note: before I even went there, my mileage does not come up (or it sporadically comes up now and then), so the guy had to ask me my best guess on the mileage, so maybe he was trying to fix something? I have a 2007 Buick Lacrosse. I hope this is not a cause for concern. Any advice would be appreciated. A: I suspect as the technician was trying to read the odometer, they may have inadvertently switched the speedometer from miles per hour to kilometers. If it is not too out of the way, I would return to the shop and have them check it out. Q: Can I or should I add water to a battery before charging? My truck's battery is dead, and I have a battery charger. On YouTube, I saw one mechanic who said the best method to charge a battery is on the highest battery charger setting. He said, 'You should smell the battery charging.' This is a vehicle that is only driven periodically. A: Most batteries are low- or no-maintenance batteries, meaning that you do not add water. In fact, many batteries are sealed and don't have removable caps like the 'old days.' Charging a battery slowly is always better. If you have a small charger with − as an example, a 2 and 10 ampere setting − use the 2-amp setting. This is better for the battery and helps extend its useful life. Once the battery is recharged, it should be tested. If the battery tests out OK and the truck is not going to be used for a while, disconnect the negative cable or, better yet, purchase a battery maintainer or even a small solar charger. Q: I own a 2017 Toyota Corolla SE. I have been looking to possibly buy a Toyota Corolla Cross. I am very pleased with Toyota's cars. Can you tell me anything about the Corolla Cross? I know they are AWD and even come as a hybrid. A: I have always felt Toyota makes great products. The Corolla Cross has a decent interior, rides well and gets 35-plus miles per gallon. It is a little slow by today's standards but fine for all driving. The all-wheel drive is nice for slippery weather. My only critique is that maybe Toyota was trying too hard to appeal to everyone. Using an old expression, "jack of all trades, master of none." Is it a great car? No, but it is a good car. John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@ and put 'Car Doctor' in the subject field. Follow him on X @johnfpaul or on Facebook. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Could a rumbling sound be from my tires? | Car Doctor
