Petrol as you don't tow or do long distances.

Aredwood: Definitely check resale values. The diesel will easily sell for more than the petrol version.

And also consider that there will be a lot more EVs available (both new and secondhand) when you will be selling. Which your Santa Fe will be competing against. Long distance towing is an application which won't see a suitable EV option appear for awhile. But you can already buy EVs today that are suitable for around town driving and longer trips that don't involve towing.

The petrol engine will probably be a direct injection engine. Meaning that the maintenance costs will be similar to a diesel engine.

Also consider a scenario where petrol vehicles have to pay RUC. This will have to happen eventually. Otherwise EVs will end up paying more road tax than petrol hybrids when the RUC exemption for electric vehicles ends.

Thanks for your comments.

I am buying the car so I can keep it for 10 years. I know car industry is changing and may change faster in coming years. Biggest challenge I have with diesel engine is DPF and my driving requirements. my primary drive will be on the weekend and thus diesel does not suit my driving requirements.

I am curios about your comments on direct injection engine, why would maintenance be same as diesel engines? I understand both are different type of engines.

MileHighKiwi: I was looking at a Hyundai Santa Fe recently but two mates, one a mechanic, and one an automotive parts dealer, suggested Mazda or Toyota as better alternatives. In the end we went for a Mazda CX-5 diesel and are very happy. Another mate in the market went for a Toyota Rav 4. Fuel economy so far is 7.1L per 100k, more than the 5.9 advertised but I understand that's common. It drives really well too.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I spoke with my friend whose father is mechanic and he said own Santa Fe for years and he is very happy with it. I think it also comes down to your own personal experience too. I owned Mazda which had a transmission issue and I am not planning to buy Mazda again. my Honda Civic is now 12 years old and never had to spend a penny on any maintenance except consumable and service. I looked at Honda CRV but i think Santa Fe better made car and of course expensive. For me Toyota's do not invest in making their cars look any nicer. they are not progressive car company. they are relying on their past laurels and their name.

Cheers