Needs
improvement: Handling, weight, styling, gas mileage
Okay, the story
here is the engine. Hyundai’s 3.5-liter V-6 is the only powerplant you should
consider if you want to use the Santa Fe as anything more than personal
transportation. Hyundai’s other engines just don’t have enough energy if you
want the optional all wheel drive, usually carry a family, and have a need to
pass trucks going more than 50 mph on two lane roads.
The 3.5 engine is
smooth enough to move the two-ton Korean SUV with enough grace that onramps are
no longer embarrassing.
The five speed
automatic transmission works well enough, and the interior is easy to live with.
In fact, you constantly ask yourself how Hyundai is able to offer this capable
all wheel drive vehicle with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty for a little
over A$35,000 exceptionally well equipped.
Dad’s view: This engine may be new to the Santa Fe, but
it hardly challenges modernity. The double overhead cam engine produces 195
horsepower and 219 lb-ft of torque in smooth manner. In other vehicles with
similar displacement engines can be harassed into producing over 100 more
horsepower, but they cost more.
Unfortunately, the
3.5 doesn’t do well with a gallon of gas, as we were hard pressed to get over
18mpg on the highway. Luckily, it has a 17.2-gallon tank so you can attempt 300
miles if you’re light on the pedal.
Borg-Warner’s electronic four wheel
drive system would be adequate for most uses, but it does not have the transfer
case the Suzuki offers in its
Grand Vitara or the Kia Sorento offers making the
Santa Fe more suitable for snow than dirt.
I would like to
compliment Hyundai on the transmission. I don’t know how it will hold up in the
long run, but the five-speed unit with Shiftronic is impressive. The shifts are
well modulated and brisk.
The Santa Fe is
based on Hyundai’s Sonata platform, which isn’t a bad thing. It has MacPherson
strut front suspension and a trailing-arm independent rear suspension that
provide a sedan like ride. Obviously, with such a softly spring top-heavy
vehicle handling is not its forte. The ride is comforting, but not as crisp as
its main competition, the Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape which cost the same but are
much more eager to play. The Santa Fe is more maternal in nature.
I enjoyed driving
the Santa Fe a great deal. It just felt right. The new colour, Canyon Red, is
attention getting to say the least, but it seemed perfect for this much improved
Santa Fe, as it shouted, “Look at me,” which is what Hyundai needs more of in a
competitive market.
Mom’s view: I think women like the look of the Santa
Fe more than men. It has a mixture of strange curves and bulbous fenders that
make it look like its designer had a love affair with a French curve. The base
price for the Santa Fe is low but I wouldn’t want any less engine
than the 3.5 and for that you are going to have to pay more. But,
you get a lot of standard features such as traction control and ABS.
The cupholders
were excellent, the seats were comfortable, and side visibility was good. There
was plenty of places for storage, but don’t mistake this for a large SUV. In
fact, a Subaru Legacy wagon has more usable room.
I found the ride comfortable and well
mannered on the highway and fairly accommodating on less well maintained roads.
There is a fair amount of wind noise from around the door seals, especially when
the wind is coming from the side.
The Santa Fe does
not react well to these gusts and the steering is numb enough to prevent a
dainty recovery. Probably with more time correction moves would be more delicate
than mine.
Although this
would not be my first choice in a small SUV, it does provide competent
transportation at an attractive price. I can say that if you get any engine
beside the 3.5 you’re never going to get the goodness this Hyundai
holds.
Young working woman’s view: Facts are
facts. Hyundai has overcome a disastrous start and produced a vehicle that is
fast becoming attractive to all ages of buyers. The pricing of their products
make them compatible with a used car and when you consider the attractive
financing Hyundai is offering and the five year, 60,000 mile
comprehensive and corrosion warranty and
the ten years/100,000 miles powertrain warranty it is difficult to ignore this
brand.
Especially pleasing
is the fact that the Santa Fe comes standard with front and side impact airbags,
power windows, alarm system, four-wheel disc brakes, and outboard occupants
headrests. The safety scores for the Santa Fe were good, but the bumper test
results were poor.
You have
over 29.4-cubic-foot of room behind the second row of seats and when the
60/40-split rear seats are down there is 78. That is a goodly sum, but getting
to it is the real pleasure. Hyundai doesn’t mess around like other manufacturers
who have a rear cargo door handle hidden above the license plate that is award
to use and offers very little leverage. The Santa Fe comes with a robust, easy
to grab even with gloves, handle. It is the best, although some might not like
the aesthetics. Good grief, this is a SUV; it should be loyal and practical. If
you want something attractive get a nice coupe or convertible.
College attending male’s view: I am taking
an art class this summer and I think whoever designed this Santa Fe needs to
attend one, too. It is not adorable, cuddly, or even remotely attractive. It is
ugly. On the other hand, it is distinctive. So, I don’t like it, but the ride
was nice and there was room for a fair amount of musical equipment in back.
There is plenty of room in the back seat, and, if you don’t mind a little
bobbing around tight corners, the car feels solid enough.
Turning the Santa Fe
was surprising. I thought it would take up more pavement, but a turning circle
is 37.1 feet makes it possible to turn into tight mall parking places with just
a little pre-planning. The stereo was very easy to use and understand. It was
shy in the midranges, the bass was clearly needed a boast, and there was a need
for stronger reception, but the CD player was satisfactory.
Family conference: This is a well priced, go most
anywhere, family vehicle that is attractive to some because of its warranty and
to others because it is comfortable to live with on a daily basis. For example,
we are now testing the A$70,000 Volvo SUV. It is twice as much as the Santa Fe,
but parking it is a chore and we are only getting 14 mpg on premium. In town, we
all preferred the Hyundai. However, we doubt any one will cross shop these
two.
Written by The Car Family
