Hyundai Australia rolls out world’s first seven-passenger convertible
Anyone remember the Nissan Murano CrossCountry Cabriolet; the first “off-road” open top with a “real back seat”? It was offered between 2011-2014 and won several “least popular” awards.
About the time Nissan killed that model due to lackluster sales, Land Rover brought out its Evoque Convertible. Whereas there seem to be more Muranos than Evoques on the streets, the Evoque actually makes more sense, since it’s more off-road capable for a slight difference in price.
Until now.
Hyundai Australia chopped the roof off a Santa Fe XL to create a seven-passenger convertible. This is like having your cake and eating it too. If you want one, you’ll need to pay a tidy import fee for a right-hand-drive, diesel-powered crossover.
Australian auto mag Car Advice tested the cabriolet and found it surprisingly nimble through curves and with plenty of room for seven adults.
Top, not optional
One small drawback: It doesn’t have a roof. None. Nada. Look, you can either have that third row or a place to store the top. This is a car for families that refuse all compromises.
It’s great for sunny days and balmy nights, but needs stay garaged when rain, snow or lightning are about. Hyundai also recommends hand washing, though running it through a commercial wash does not necessarily invalidate the warranty.
You should be able to get a good deal on one because, so far, sales have been slow. In its first quarter, the Santa Fe Cabriolet had, well, zero sales.
Check your calendar
On a day other than April 1, the car came to life as a prototype for testing and tuning the suspension. It was registered only for engineering use.
Hyundai Australia says it originally cut the roof off to for photography purposes; in this case, to get a panning shot with all three rows occupied. After chopping the roof, interior trim was added to clean up the look. That probably would have been the last of it if someone on the marketing team hadn’t approached Car Advice about a test drive on a closed course.
Hyundai Australia insists it has no plans for a seven-seat drop top and claims all the extra components would make the Santa Fe heavier, larger and way too expensive. Then again, the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet actually made it to production, so you never know.
