Hyundai will replace the dual-clutch gearbox on the Santa Fe with a classic "automatic" transmission

Hyundai has officially confirmed that the Santa Fe and the Santa Cruz pickup with a 2.5-litre turbo engine will lose the eight-speed dual-clutch robotic transmission (DCT) in the US market. It will be replaced by a classic "automatic" with a torque converter.

Here's What We Know

The decision concerns only modifications with a turbocharged engine 2.5. Base versions of Santa Cruz with a 2.5 engine without a turbo and Santa Fe Hybrid are initially equipped with a 6-speed automatic and in this context will not change.

Hyundai's dual-clutch robotised gearbox has long been criticised for its abrupt operation at low speeds and unstable behaviour in traffic jams. Despite potential benefits like quick gear changes and high efficiency, the box has proved sensitive to tuning and vulnerable to overheating. As a result, Hyundai has faced numerous complaints, recalls and warranty replacements of the transmissions, which has not only resulted in inconvenience for customers but also unwanted costs for the company.

Speaking to MotorTrend, Hyundai representatives did not directly link the switch to a torque converter to the DCT issues, saying that the automatic transmission became available during development and has proven to provide optimal driving performance.

Interestingly, Kia - another Hyundai Motor Corporation brand - has no plans to abandon the DCT on its models. The company emphasised that in North America, Kia and Hyundai operate as independent brands and take decisions separately.

Source: MotorTrend