The Hyundai Santa Fe has come a long way since its introduction back in the early 2000s. From a quirky Korean SUV, it has slowly evolved into a sophisticated number that even boasts of a bit of European flair. With its fourth iteration revealed earlier this year, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc., official Hyundai Philippine distributor, has been quick to unveil the latest Santa Fe in the local market.
Aside from the usual launch event at last April’s Manila International Auto Show, HARI likewise puts forward its midsize SUV offering in a Media Ride and Drive event that took the group composed of both local and regional journalists to a rather interesting place—historic Bataan.
Yes, the modern-looking and tech-laden Santa Fe was tasked to strut its stuff en route up the slopes of historic Mt. Samat. Philippine history will tell us that this mountain was a huge part of our nation’s history, specifically during World War II. This time, however, it was the journalists’ turn to try and make it up to The Summit—with the help of the Santa Fe, of course.
With the Hyundai SUV’s capabilities tackling steep inclines covered, the journos also put their own fitness to the test on the second day of this three-day affair. No, they weren’t asked to walk all the way from Manila to Bataan. They were, however, put to a FitBit Challenge to see who can make the most number of steps within a given time. It was all part of the “active lifestyle” image that the Santa Fe (and most SUVs, for that matter) try to project these days.
