Feb 29, 2008
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
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We always liked the idea of the Hyundai Santa Fe but never could warm up to the reality of it. Maybe it was those absurdly flared front fenders, or its lackluster handling and mediocre fuel economy. But the principles underpinning this car-based midsize sport-utility vehicle were sound, and Hyundai has redesigned the Santa Fe into a desirable entry-level SUV.
Hyundai, which now boasts three SUV models, redesigned the Santa Fe for the 2007 model year while adding the compact Tucson and full-size Veracruz. When it comes to styling, Hyundai is still a short step behind Nissan, with its sharp new Rogue, and the always-competitive Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4. But beneath the new Santa Fe’s attractive new lines lurks Hyundai’s secret weapon: value.
Our Natural Khaki-colored Santa Fe Limited — the highest of three trim levels — had a sticker price of $26,140 and just two options: a rear cargo screen for $100 and carpeted floor mats for $95. Everything else, and we mean everything, was standard. Reading the list of safety features, we kept looking for a Volvo logo somewhere: side- and side-curtain air bags; active head restraints; stability control and traction control; anti-lock brakes; even a tire-pressure monitor. Inside the cabin, the leather upholstery, automatic temperature control and heated front seats signal a high level of luxury at a modest price.
Our Santa Fe had front-wheel drive and delivered fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, or 17/24 under the new, real-world EPA ratings. The 3.3-liter, 242-horsepower V-6 engine with 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission represent a big improvement over the power train in the original Santa Fe. Surprisingly, the all-wheel drive system exacts no mileage penalty, but it costs $1,700 more for 2008. The front-wheel-drive Limited is priced almost $2,000 more than the 2007.
The five-passenger Santa Fe is pleasant enough to drive, but it’s noticeably less refined than the Veracruz. And it’s no match for the Mitsubishi Outlander where driving excitement is concerned. The Outlander is a blast to drive; the Santa Fe acquits itself honorably.
The Santa Fe has consistently shown better-than-average reliability in Consumer Reports magazine rankings. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings are much better since the redesign; the Santa Fe is now a Top Safety Pick.
For buyers on a budget, Hyundai offers a base version of the Santa Fe for just $21,150. It boasts the smaller of the two available engines, a 2.7-liter, 185-horsepower V-6, with a 5-speed stick shift and markedly fewer luxuries in the cabin. But it is well-equipped nonetheless and has all the safety features included in the higher-end models.
Hyundai made inroads into the U.S. market by building vehicles with long standard-equipment lists and adding an industry-leading 100,000-mile power-train warranty. It’s building pretty good cars, too — and better yet, building some of them, including the Santa Fe, in Montgomery, Ala. No wonder U.S. sales of the Santa Fe rocketed 50 percent in 2007 from the previous year.
Steven Macoy (smacoy3070@cs.com) is a longtime car enthusiast and full-time editor who lives in Bethel, Conn.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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